Helping cervix along

LauraM18

Are there any tips or tricks to help your cervix out. I have been taking EPO at the advise of my OB since I was 34 weeks (3000 mg a day) and nothing. I just started bouncing on my yoga ball seeing if that does anything for me. I am trying to avoid induction (I know I am barely 37 weeks and please dont tell me to wait until he is ready cause I cant. Drs orders) I will be induced at 39 weeks if he doesnt come on his own so I am trying to get somewhere but not working so well.

Lina1030

have your dr strip your membranes...it worked for several friends and did for me...I went into labor that same day avoided being induced 2 days later at 41 weeks.  Why will he induce you at 39 weeks and not at least 40 or 41?

Also sex w/insemination and orgasm is said to help speed things up

LindseyJW

eek. sorry you are having to be induced so early. i assume there is a medical need to induce you at 39 weeks. are you comfortable with this decision and fully believe that it is medically necessary? if not, have you obtained a second opinion?

i think the things you are doing are advisable. you can also begin vaginally inserting EPO soon. stripping the membranes and sex with insemination may also help. i would spend some time each day in relaxtion and meditation, reflecting on your pregnancy, connecting with your baby and explaining the urgency of birth (assuming again there is indeed medical need for induction at 39 weeks).

here's the thing though, none of these things are going to do a darn thing if your baby and body aren't ready for birth. these things can help your labor along if your body/baby are ready. the EPO and semen can help the cervix soften and ripen faster, stripping the membranes releases a hormone that can jumpstart labor if all other factors are aligned. but none of it will do anything if your body/baby aren't ready.

GL!

MawrtyrB

Heck I even tried cleaning my basement. Nothing helped. An induction doesn't have to be the end of the world. I still did a pain med free birth with my induction.

sschwege

I would certainly want a second opinion if my doc wanted to induce me at 39w, but based on your other posts it sounds like you are fully on board so here's some things you could try:

Nipple stimulation

 Acupuncture-I did this and I think it helped push me over the edge

Acupressure

Drinking 3 cups of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea-this won't induce labor, but helps to get your ute ready.  

As pp said though, none of these things will work if your body and baby are not ready.  Continue with the EPO though for sure!   

cecilyandgautam

Perhaps my case is just a fluke but whenever I drink this red rasberry leaf tea, baby moves around like crazy & I get a ton of BH. I'm only drinking 1 cup/day right now because it seems to cause so much commotion down there but my first move will be to up the intake if it turns out labor needs a little natural encouragement.

I realize plenty of women drink this 5-6 times/day with no side effects but for me, that's not the case.

Kristinmo

They are called old wives tales for a reason- they don't work. Most thing that people attribute to putting them into labor were just a coincidence.  Even being induced with cervadil and pitocin at 41 weeks didn't work for me. 

 That being said, when you are a couple of days from induction, I would start trying nipple stimulation with a pump since that's proven to cause contractions and as much sex as you can stand to soften your cervix.  

angelina477

You should be able to wait until 42 weeks to induce and still have a healthy baby. I'm wondering why they want to induce you before your due date?

Kristine Schilling

sschwege:

Acupressure

 

Well trained, experienced, massage therapists will know the accupressure points in your hands, base of your neck, and around your feet to help make your body want to labor. My mom is a trained, licensed mass. therapist (15+ years) who now trains others. I couldnt comfortably tell you exactly what points to hit, but I know the spots because she has already taught me and hubby for later.

jb2rn

I hear you! I still have a week until my due date (and a FTM, so expect to go late) but I have been taking EPO 500mg tid for a little over a week, as well as one tablet at bedtime vaginally. I think it has softened my cervix (feels softer to me, OB has not done internal yet) but that is about it.

I have also been using my birth ball daily, walking, sex..sorry you are under the gun to deliver so early!