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Tricks to help get labor started??

hailcamphailcamp
in VBAC

I know there's no sure fire way, but any suggestions on things I can try in the next few weeks would be greatly appreciated.  My doctor won't allow me to go past 41 weeks (because I've had a grade 3 placenta since 35 weeks and she's worried that waiting any longer could be harmful to my baby).  She had me go ahead and schedule a repeat c-section exactly one week past my due date just in case I don't go into labor.  I was just checked today and my cervix is completely closed ( at 37 weeks).  I know I still have 4 weeks to allow for labor, but I'm so nervous that it won't happen!  I really have my heart set on at least attempting a VBAC!!

Do any of you know of any natural methods for inducing labor?  I'd love to hear them and try them out!  As long as they're safe of course Wink

 Thanks!

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Re: Tricks to help get labor started??

  • CeefomeCeefome member

    Here is the usual list, some are possibly wives tales.  I have no experience with some of them, but am just throwing them out:

    Sex is the only thing I've ever heard doctors say can help open the cervix.

    possibly nipple stimulation, tho there usually is a caveat with that that it really can start contractions. 

    drinking red raspberry leaf tea 

    evening primrose oil

    Walking 

    bouncing on the balance ball 

    eating spicy foods

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  • lostaspenlostaspen

    Here's what I tried, though none of it worked for me:

    Walking--I walked 10 miles my 40th week!

    Sex

    Spicy foods

    Eating pineapple (including the core)

    Prenatal massage

    Bouncy ball

    Crying (watched a lot of sappy/sad movies!)

    Telling the baby it was okay to come, etc

     Other things I didn't try:

    Driving on long bumpy roads (my mom said it worked for her)

    Nipple stimulation--I've read this is one of the best to jump start contractions

    Of course none of them will work if your body AND the baby aren't ready.  But good luck to you! 

     

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  • Jb&JbJb&Jb member
    Ditto the previous suggestions and acupuncture/acupressure and chiropractic adjustments.
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  • kcvasquezkcvasquez member
    I have no tricks because we tried everything you could think of and labor never started for me! I hope some of the above work for you though!!!
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  • holly321holly321 member
    Labor never started on it's own for me.  But sex and walking would give me contractions.  I think it may have helped some, I did dilate and efface quite well, but had to get my water broken to start labor.
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  • papagenapapagena member
    Ditto pp - there are also pressure points that you can work on at home - if you go to an acupuncturist or reflexologist they can help identify those - there are also online videos.  I also went ahead and downloaded the 'baby come out' track from hypnobabies near the end.  I can't say that it is what made me go into labor, but it DID make me truly relaxed and confident and at peace, which couldn't have hurt things!!  Good luck - I went into labor the day I was scheduled to be induced, so you have time, mama!!
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