Natural induction methods-Lay 'em on me!

JJ&BB1146

I'm one week from my due date and have made absolutely no progress in the last 2 weeks. I'm maybe a fingertip dilated and 70% effaced. We've set a March 26 induction date if baby hasn't arrived by then. But I REALLY would like to avoid being induced if I can.

So, what are some of the "best" ways to get things moving naturally. I've heard of Evening Primose Oil. Haven't some of you used that? Did it work? How do you use it?

I've also heard pineapple. Any truth to that?

Sexy time-Already tried it twice, but might be willing to consider it again out of desperation.

I asked about having my membranes stripped, but the dr. said that's not possible if I'm not dilated enough.

Anything else you can give me?? 

 

 

libbyann

I found this while researching VBACs. Some stuff on there I don't think I'd ever try, but it looks like a great resource!

 https://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/natinduc.html

mcurban

evening primrose oil (both inserted vaginally and taken orally).

mcgee

Evening Primrose Oil softens the cervix, but if you're 70% effaced already, you might ask the doctor if EPO will do any good for you. Red Raspberry leaf tea is another natural cervical softener.

Lots of walking and lots of sex might help. Avoid soaking in a hot or warm bath, as that tends to relax your body and stop contractions. You can also try using the breast pump 4x a day.

Under the midwife's guidance, I also took an herbal tincture, but it tasted NASTY, and I don't know that it really helped.

texmommy3

Be forrest gump...well, not running, but walking.  I would walk a ton.  You have nothing to lose.  If nothing else, baby will go further down.  Also, I second the breast pump idea.  It worked for a friend of mine.  I tried the sex thing, and it never worked with all three of my pregnancies!

LonghornNAggie

I wouldn't rec stripping the membranes.

I would do LOTS of walking.

Nipple Stimulation (I include that only because I just got back from my birthing class and they rec'd it and I was too scared to ask exactly what that meant... but perhaps that is why the pumping is rec'd).

S-E-X!

GL!!

Faon

If I recall correctly, I recently read that stripping the membranes is ineffective for getting labor going and can cause back pains. Sorry; no new suggestions for what to do. The ones I've heard of have been mentioned.

smb29

My doc recommended sex after you have an internal exam to get things going.  I lost my mp within 24 hours and baby came 3 days later.  I had zero progress up to that point.

BoxerMomma

sex sex and more sex

spicy food

sex

walking

i did some jumping jacks too  

some more sex 

CollieJade

smb29:

My doc recommended sex after you have an internal exam to get things going.  I lost my mp within 24 hours and baby came 3 days later.  I had zero progress up to that point.

Pretty much this.   It's almost exactly what happened for me.  And LOTS of sex.  Like, more than once a day if possible.  I have MC's bottle of EPO if you want it!  I don't know if that did it but I can't say it didn't help me.   I tried everything!!

If you HAVE to have a induction, I would recommend asking your doctor about a Foley bulb induction, done on it's own or with cervadil.  Though you might not need the cervadil by the time you get induced, since you're already 70%.  I was 0cm and 0% at my 41 week appointment.  I went into labor 4 days later and was at 10cm/100% and pushing within 10 hours of my water breaking.  So I wouldn't worry yet!!

ETA:  I meant to say that the Foley bulb induction requires no pitocin in many cases - it's a manual method of cervix dilation.  My doc said they try to avoid pitocin inductions at all costs. 

If you want to go to great lengths to get yourself progressed between now and your EDD, I did the following: 2x/week visits to Dr. Ron at Inner Sun Chiropractic (known for his prenatal/postnatal care), acupuncture with Turtle Dragon 2x/week, acupressure, EPO, sex, more sex, walking at least once a day for at least a mile, spicy food, peanut butter brownies, a banana and a granola bar after midnight, and a pedicure.  DD eventually came at 41 weeks 4 days. 

Remember, just because you've had no progress up until now does not mean anything.  It's very possible that you will make mad progress in the next week or two.  And also keep in mind that you do NOT have to submit to an induction; in fact, it's much better (and PERFECTLY SAFE) for you to wait until you're at or past 41 weeks for an induction. 

GL!

JenniferL923

I'm 2 weeks from my EDD, but 70% effaced and 3 cm dilated.

Tried sex, spicy food, walking, more spicy food, more walking, and have bribed baby girl with a pony.

Nothing yet.