Successful DIY get-labor-started techniques?

JKM416 · November 2011

Baby #3 is being stubborn. While the official due date was November 15, I calculated it (based on temping and ovulation) as more like the 23. So I'm not freaked out that it's late. However, DS was two days early by his official due date (and five days early by my calculation), so I really thought this one would be here by now. We're now running into problems with my mom having to get back to work (out of state) and BIL and his GF being able to stay less than 48 hours over Thanksgiving. We're going to run out of coverage for DD and DS, and I'm stressing a bit. I'm also now scheduled for a non-stress test and biophysical profile, which is complicated by offices being closed and will be tricky with two little ones since DH is saving his time off for paternity leave.

I've researched "natural induction" stuff but am interested in anything someone swears by. For example, I don't want to go spend $$$ and time hunting down red raspberry leaf tea if it's really not all it's cracked up to be. I'm already 3+ centimeters and at least 50% effaced, so the midwives said that Baby is ready and it shouldn't take much once labor gets going...he/she just needs some motivation. If you found a method that worked for you, I'd love to hear it...I'm ready to get this show on the road. Thanks!

Mama Angelina · November 2011

Have you tried good old fashioned nookie?

That is what docs and midwives often suggest. It works because the prostaglandins from DH help ripen the cervix. I know it's tough in the end though when you're so big...but I know it has helped many of my friends. Also, walking! GL!

victoria1212 · November 2011

Famous labor inducing eggplant parm recipe here.

Sofka · November 2011

it might've been a coincidence since DD was 4 days late but I went for 3 1.5mi walks and drank 3 cups of raspberry leaf tea the day before I had her. You can find it at Wegman's

good luck, I was wondering if you had the baby yet!

umdbride · November 2011

Make plans you're actually looking forward to that you can't do with a baby in tow - for sure the LO will arrive then. We made plans on Tuesday to take off work and go to the zoo on Friday to walk a ton in hopes of moving things along - my water broke Thursday morning.

I also took Evening Primrose Oil every day for about a week before DS arrived. More info on it from my midwives website: https://www.midwiferycareassociates.com/EPOrev2011.pdf

They also said putting warm compresses on the breasts a few times a day may help but I didn't try that.

GL!!

ETA: I got the EPO at whole foods so it wasn't too hard to find

2vthokies · November 2011

I did an EPO insert the night my water broke and got DD2's labor going. She was 10 days overdue. I was only 1 cm and maybe 50% effaced.

CapitolBaby · November 2011

Right before I went into labor, I combined 2 old wives tales that I had received that day: I took a hot bath while drinking a cup of hot water filled with a teaspoon of cinnamon. I went into a fast and furious labor within 2 hours of doing that. First contractions at 9 PM (every 8 minutes) which quickly dropped to every 4 minutes, got to hospital at 12:15 AM (contractions on top of eachother by this point), I was 9.5 cm dilated. 2 pushes, and my daughter was out. There wasn't even time for an IV or for a doctor to deliver me, so a student Resident delivered me. I have no idea if the hot bath and hot water with cinnamon had anything to do with it, but trust me - I was showing NO signs of labor prior. I was 41 weeks at that point, though, so maybe it was just time. Good luck!!

carebear08 · November 2011

Ditto the "make plans." We decided to go out for one nice last dinner the night before I was supposed to be induced (and I really didn't want to be induced). My water broke as soon as I walked in to the restaurant.

mamabear2010 · November 2011

carebear08:
Ditto the "make plans." We decided to go out for one nice last dinner the night before I was supposed to be induced (and I really didn't want to be induced). My water broke as soon as I walked in to the restaurant.

LOL!

I ate pineapple and drank red raspberry leaf tea.

umdbride · November 2011

CapitolBaby:
Right before I went into labor, I combined 2 old wives tales that I had received that day: I took a hot bath while drinking a cup of hot water filled with a teaspoon of cinnamon.

I bet the bath is a great idea - it totally helped me progress super fast when I was in labor, so it seems to reason it would also help get things going. Maybe just the relaxation of it all will help things along. GL!

vtmezzo · November 2011

My DS#2 was 13 days late. I tried EVERYTHING. It's not what you want to hear, but the baby will come on its own timetable. If all the other stuff takes your mind off of how pregnant you are though, by all means do it. Good luck!!

amh_navyblue · November 2011

I think you've gotten some good advice already...I second the nookie, lots of walking, moving around and making other plans. My first was 6 days late and the second was 10 days late, so I've been there. It's not easy--hang in there! Sending lots of labor dust your way!

Mrs.Handy · November 2011

Sex, EPO, + walking a ton = baby

I walked up a huge hill in the July heat a few hours before I went into labor.

Good luck!!

LindseyJW · November 2011

- RRL will not induce your labor. it is a myth that it causes contractions! it is a muscle toner and is most helpful for toning the uterus when consumed over time. that being said, if consumed in large quantities (10+ cups/day), it might stimulate the uterus, if all other conditions were good for labor. the Old Town Coffee and Spice shop on S. Lee (or is it Union? it's the last street before the river) St. in Alexandria often has it loose leaf (much better flavor than prebagged RRL).

- R&R is wonderful for moms past their EDDs. when the body and mind are relaxed, the body can begin it's work. get a massage, take a relaxing bath.

- acupuncture & acupressure are known for starting labor. you can google acupressure points. i really like Njemile (en-JAY-meel-ay) www.fertileliving.com for prenatal acupuncture. she's in old town, alexandria. tell her lindsey referred you!

- walking will help move the baby down, putting pressure on the cervix, which may help release hormones that get labor started. rolling and moving your hips in big wide circles on an exercise ball (or on the floor, hands and knees) will do the same.

- sex with insemination. semen contains prostaglandins, hormones that serve to soften and ripen the cervix. EPO does the same thing. you can insert it and/or consume it orally. if you insert, do so at night and put a liner in your underwear. there is no need to pierce the capsule, your body heat will melt it down.

- the eggplant parm above is delicious!! i double the sauce and add tons of extra garlic and thyme (thyme may help contractions get started) and serve it with pasta.

here are some other suggestions i give my students who have passed their EDD:

- Go Underground: Turn off your phone, stay away from email. Seriously, screen your calls. The repetition of ?When do you think you will go into labor?? or my personal favorite, ?Why haven?t they induced you yet?? is enough to make any woman go crazy!

Rest: Schedule naptime daily. You never know when you might go into labor, or how long your labor will be. Enjoy this peaceful period to rest.

Pamper Yourself: Get a new haircut, treat your nails to a mani/pedi, have a prenatal massage, enjoy a long warm soak with Epsom salts, get your eyebrows waxed.

Get Your Freeze On: Freeze soups, muffin mix in tins or round drops of cookie dough so you have perfectly sized pieces to pop in the oven. Don?t forget to repackage them into airtight freezer containers once frozen. Here is a blog I like with lots of great ideas for freezer and make-ahead meals: https://joelens.blogspot.com/2007/01/freezer-friendlymake-ahead.html

Become an Esty Queen: Learn a new craft. Maybe you?ve always wanted to know how to knit, or you?ve been dying to start scrapbooking. Now is the perfect time!

Replace Brain Cells: After months of suffering from ?pregnancy brain,? nourish the remaining cells and read a new book (or 2, or 3!). Make a list of books you?d like to read and check them out of your local library.

Snuggle Up: Spice up the late night romance (or early morning, or midday, or, whatever time of day you like best)! While finding comfortable positions may be challenging, being intimate with your partner is one of the best ways to encourage labor and to enjoy these last few days.

Become a Movie Critic: If you like going to the movies, you may find that life after baby is not quite as conducive to movie outings. Enjoy a few pre-baby movies in the theater. And butter your popcorn, it doesn?t counts after 40 weeks! J

Redecorate: Nesting mothers have a great eye for design. Maybe it?s just moving the furniture around, or maybe you?ll completely redo the color scheme in your bedroom!

Paint the Town: Schedule an outing with friends or family every day. How much fun will it be to call and cancel because you are in labor!

JKM416 · November 2011

Thanks for all the tips. I've been trying a few of them (marital relations, EPO orally, etc.) without obvious effect. The weather hasn't cooperated for walking - maybe I should hit up our ancient elliptical. And some I'd never heard of before (cinnamon?) but am willing to try. Focused relaxation is something I haven't put as a priority, so a hot bath is on my agenda for tonight. I will be going through the list today and seeing what I can manage while watching DD and DS. And it would be nice if "host three additional people for a full Thanksgiving meal" counts as "making plans?"...

If I we didn't have the time crunch of having no one to watch DD and DS, I'd be perfectly fine with #3 waiting as long as he/she wanted! I enjoy having a predictable daily schedule and getting (relatively) good sleep at night Smile

amh_navyblue · November 2011

JKM416:
And it would be nice if "host three additional people for a full Thanksgiving meal" counts as "making plans?"...

I think this and the activity involved with actually getting things ready for 3 additional people just might do the trick;)

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