Community› The Bump Message Boards› Natural Birth
Natural Birth
New Discussion

Brainstorming! Starting now to try and ease labor!

nj001nj001 member
edited June 2015 in Natural Birth
With my first, I was induced with a slow leak at 36 weeks.  I never made it far enough to try many natural methods to tone uterus, soften cervix, etc.

I'm 37 weeks tomorrow. I recently started RRL tea and am now taking EPO and eating dates throughout the day and walking.  I've heard acupuncture is good if you make it to 40 weeks, but I don't know a whole lot about that.

As a side note, I am NOT trying to induce labor or make it start any sooner than the little guy is ready, I'm just trying to help ease the process when it does start.  I dream of showing up at the hospital nearly ready to push.  I also am not 100% sure on how late my OB will let me go.  I assumed 42 weeks like my last OB, but at my 36 week appt she surprised me by telling me I could schedule an elective induction at 39 weeks, so she may be impatient. I was taken aback and didn't ask any questions about it, just told her I was definitely not interested in elective induction. I reallllly want to avoid pitocin if at all possible.  That shiznat was serious D-day!!!

I've also done NO birthing prep like Bradley or Hypnobabies and I feel I'm pretty late to start that now....

I'd appreciate any advice, thanks!!!


Report Reply to Post

Re: Brainstorming! Starting now to try and ease labor!

  • momof2buggsmomof2buggs member
    edited June 2015
    In my opinion and experience, the best thing that a woman can do to make labor as easy as possible, is to allow her body to do it naturally. Does it hurt? Hell yes. But our bodies are designed to birth our babies efficiently, and they will do just that, if we let them. My first 2 labors were inductions, due to different reasons. Basically my doctor convinced me that my body would never go into labor on its own, and I caved. Big mistake. My 3rd and 4th deliveries, I had a different vision. I wanted to see what would happen if I let labor start on its own. And I was pleasantly surprised. I went from 12 and 11 hour labors that felt like transition for the majority of the time I was contracting, to 2 and 4 hour labors, that were definitely uncomfortable, but so efficient. I never used EPO or any other supplement. I arrived at the hospital already dilated to 9 with one of my babes, and with the other, I was dilated to 5 when I checked in. It was so much better that way! And I never dealt with postpartum depression with either of my drug free deliveries, either. My recovery was amazing, too. If I ever have another baby, I will most definitely allow the process to happen naturally. 
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • mrsyoshidamrsyoshida member
    I don't think it's too late to start reading a hypnobirthing book and just prep yourself mentally with a couple of coping methods (visualization or relaxation) that could be helpful on the day. I'll also be starting RRL and dates in a month, like you OP I don't want to induce anything but prime everything for when I do go naturally :) Be strong, there's no need to set an induction date before you're happy to.
    image
    Report Reply
  • npierce19npierce19 member
    Have you looked into Baby Spinning and The Miles Circuit to help baby into the best position for easy labor and birth.  There a also lots of Yoga poses to help open your hips and using a birth ball for sitting etc...  If you are on Pintererst, there is a lot of information to be found on labor preparation.
    <Pregnancy Ticker>
    Report Reply
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"