Natural induction methods?

Chelsey68

So I am dilated to a two, but baby is high and my cervix is thick. So im basically looking for some ideas on how to get my cervix to soften and baby to drop down. I have heard of evening prime rose oil (may have gotten the name of that wrong) but im confused on how much to take and with the (TMI) inserting part of it. Are you suppose to break the pill open or just shove it in there? (I haven't actually seen the pills I just assume it would be a gel capsule) I bought the tea but havent made it yet.

So anyway can you tell me your natural induction plan? How much your taking or drinking of what and any extra tricks your trying. I really want to avoid an induction and the nurse yesterday made it sound like baby isn't coming out anytime soon.  

vintagejjane

I'm 39 weeks and baby just dropped a few days ago. So you definitely still have time for LO to drop. I do not have any experience with primrose oil, but I would try bouncing on a yoga ball and some pelvic rocks. I know that has helped many women with assisting in baby dropping.

pinksweetpea2

No nurse, MW or OB can know when your baby is going to come or not come.  Also, you can drop in labor, so the fact that you have not dropped has no bearing on your ability to go into labor sooner than later.

If they are already talking induction, then you are obviously not under the care of someone who is going to be supportive of a natural birth.  Hopefully that is not the case. 

The average for a FTM is 41 weeks and change, so the odds of your LO being ready to come now- 3 weeks before your EDD- are low.  Also, these last few weeks are super important for brain and lung development, so I would not be in a hurry to get the baby out anyway.  

FInally, none of these methods are going to do anything if your body is not ready...all they will do is cause you to feel frustrated and stressed.    

 You have come so far.  What is another few weeks (give or take) in the grand scheme of things?   I can tell you from experience that letting your baby come when he/she is ready is a very rewarding experience.  

GL from a Mom of a 43 and 41 weeker  

atcwag

Just my 2 cents - a coworker of mine had a baby (her 2nd) about 8 weeks ago.  She had an OB appointment in the AM (right around 40 weeks I believe), was still at 2 cm (no progress from week before) and very frustrated.  She worked all day, and water broke @ home that night around 8:00 PM - baby arrived around 3:00 AM the next morning.  OB was flabbergasted that she had given birth because she NEVER would have guessed that she would go into labor with what was seen @ appointment that morning!  Baby will come when they are ready to come.

jennyann28

My LO dropped at 34 or 35 weeks... Then she came back UP at 38 weeks! Aaaaaand then my water broke at 38w2d & she was born. I would not even be thinking induction unless you had a medical reason to do so.

Chelsey68

I actually already have one child so I am a second time mom, and no my doctors aren't too supportive of natural birth but they can bite me because they can't induce me without my consent unless in 42 weeks. I would go to a more supportive doctor if I didn't live in an area where they don't exist.

I was just interested in the rose oil stuff and I heard you are suppose to start it around 36 weeks and didn't know how it worked. Figured someone on here would. 

MelissaFSU

I use it... Some people take it both orally and vaginally, but I just do one 1000mg gel capsule vaginally at night.   No need to break it, it will dissolve on its own.  

Twirple

I have some natural induction methods that may or may not have helped start my labor.  Honestly, I think DS was just ready to join the world, but all of these methods are easy and fun.  

1) Walk.  I like to get exercise and walking will help get the baby moving, and you moving.  It's a win-win.

2) Make a batch of Jump Start Your Labor Cookies.  These were delicious and DH ate as many if not more of them than I did.  Plus, it was a good and guilt free reason to eat of lot of yummy cookies.  You can google the recipe.

3) Laugh.  DH and I went to a Patton Oswalt comedy show one evening.  Fifteen minutes into his act, I started having a contraction every time I laughed.  They continued until 11:15 at night, then stopped.  I went to bed at 11:30 and was awakened at 2:00 AM in labor.  DS was born at 5:44 PM.

Will these work, maybe, maybe not, but who couldn't use a nice walk on a sunny day, tasty cookies and more laughter in their lives? 

reederah

I used EPO when I was pregnant, but took the pills orally (I was a little uneasy with putting them "in" me lol). I also had a ton of sex in the last few weeks of my pregnancy and ended up going into labor 6 days early at 7cm dilated and 80% effaced. I still swear it was the sex that helped soften me out and dilate me so much so early!