Natural "induction" methods?

chayer227 · April 2011

I have GD, and the plan is to start with cervix ripening on the 28th (due date is the 30th) if I don't start labor on my own before then.

I'd LOVE to go naturally, when the baby is ready to come, but my GD requires meds for control of my overnight numbers and they won't let me go past my due date for fear of stillbirth (I'm already going 2x a week for NSTs and once a week for AF level checks to monitor his health - and he's doing great!).

What are some things I can do at home to try to get things started so I don't need any medical help to get me going? I've heard some old wives' tales, but are any of them true?

kxp004 · April 2011

Can't say I've tried these yet or know too much about them, but these are what we discussed in our childbirth class...I'd make sure to ask MW/OB about anything before trying it

Nipple Stimulation (15 min intervals, stop during contractions)
Evening Primrose Oil (vaginally and orally)
Sex
Walking/Light Exercise
Swimming
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Black and Blue Cohosh (final weeks of pregnancy only to ease and/or induce labor)
Castor Oil

CaseBride · April 2011

Have you looked at https://gentlebirth.org/archives/natinduc.html ?

GL!!

sschwege · April 2011

In addition to what pp mentioned: acupressure, you can read more about it online.

This isn't something you could do at home, but have you looked into acupuncture? I had a great experience with it and my insurance covered 90%!

missjackson7786 · April 2011

i heard eating chinese food and having a glass of wine. i had chinese food the night i went into labor.

1ht

Mrs.Greeko · April 2011

I've tried everything under the sun and am sure that none of them work, but I get wanting to do "something" especially in your case:

1) Membrane stripping. Better than an induction.

2) Walking a lot, with lunges.

3) Nipple stimulation/pumping

4) Sex, lots of sex, with both of you finishing

5) eggplant parmesan

6) Spicy food, really spicy!

7) Pineapple, core and all

8) cinnamon stick tea (steep some cinnamon sticks in hot water and drink)

9) castor oil (only one I couldn't bring myself to try)

10) accupuncture (didn't try this either)

11) Evening Primrose Oil (2 taken orally in the morning, 2 taken vaginally as close to the cervix as possible before bed, wear a pantyliner!)

12) Meditation and talking to your baby and relaxing and visualizing your cervix opening up

Good Luck!

kammmmay · April 2011

This is a little TMI, but I hear you should eat anything that will give you the runs. Chili cheese dog and french fries, anything with lots of cheese, fast food, spicy food, etc.

The PP had a ton of good ideas too.

kattyleigh · April 2011

I did castor oil right at 40 weeks. Two tablespoons before bed. Was up for about an hour with cramping and diarrhea, then went back to sleep until 7:30, when I got up to pee and my water broke. Had DD with absolutely no complications at noon. I am totally doing it again this time if I make it that far. I should add though, that my cervix was beyond ready; I was 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced for three weeks. I had my membranes stripped three times also.

amanicen · April 2011

I just wanted to wish you luck! I was in the same situation, scheduled for an induction on my DD due to GD. Luckily I went into labor on the way home from my 39w/6d appointment and had her naturally that night, 6 hours before my induction was supposed to start.

I tried everything pps mentioned except for castor oil & spicy food; I was worried that if I forced myself to be sick I'd get dehydrated & exhausted before an induction. IMO the most helpful things were EPO (I started 3x/day orally at 37 weeks and 2 doses/night vaginally), lots of sex (at least 1x/day at 38 weeks), and having my membranes stripped at my 39w/6d appointment.

I hope something works for you & you can go into labor on your own, but it's nice to know that either way you'll be holding your LO by the end of the month!

cros8380 · April 2011

I had erradic BH for a week prior to labor and DH and I tried almost everything mentioned here (minus Accupuncture and castor oil). I did nipple stimulation at 40w1day and the BH lasted for a while then died. I did nipple stim again the next day (stimulate for 2 minutes, stop for 2 minutes, for a total of 20 minutes) and the BH never stopped. DD was born 28.5 hours later! GL!