Natural Ways to Induce Labor

kristindruk · April 2016

Congrats to those who have already birthed their babies! But for those of us still waiting for labor to start - please share- what do you think has worked for you in the past to naturally start labor? What did not work? I'm a total lurker and never post, but I'm getting so anxious! Our first baby I had at 37 weeks bc my water broke (and I was 2cm dilated and 80% effaced at only 36 weeks) - I'm currently 37w4d and was not dilated at all at my last appt....and I'm just wondering what more I can do to get things moving. I have been walking on the treadmill daily and bouncing/hip rolls etc on a birthing ball.

Plleriti1 · April 2016

I'm as anxious as you! With my DD I tried blue cohosh every hour for 24 hrs and nothing! I believe baby will only come when baby is ready. But with that being said... I'd probably try anything also!

momofmanyinthemitten · April 2016

Sex.

kristindruk · April 2016

What is blue cohosh?!

wildtot · April 2016

I have tried sex, nipple stimulation, bouncing, walking, stairs, massage and pressure points....still nothing. I started this at 37 weeks since I was on rest for PTL before that. I thought LO would be here in no time but nope he's still hanging in there. Signs of labor are temporary and only an annoying tease. I'm dilated to 3 cm, about 70% effaced, and lost most of my mucus plug (if not all). Still nothing and I'll be 39 wks this Sat.

Plleriti1 · April 2016

I buy it in a tincture form. Blue cohosh is a plant and I believe it's root is used to make a "medicine" to stimulate the uterus. My previous midwife told me to use it at 38w. Honestly, I don't think it did anything but I'm still trying it again this time around.

dayj11 · April 2016

Sex worked with baby 2. With baby 3 I went to a pizzeria an hour away and tried their famous preggo pizza which was actually really tasty. Not sure if the same results would have happened had I not had the pizza but 48 hours after that meal baby 3 was born. I'm 38 weeks today and although sex did cause contractions it wasn't consistent and subsided by the end of the day.

cmjenkies · April 2016

Wishful thinking and waiting on your body to be ready? Nothing else will really work!

amaniupendo · April 2016

Waiting

kimey1 · April 2016

Primrose oil is supposed to help. If you normally don't have spicy food, that's worth a try. Some say it's a myth but doesn't hurt to try. The owner of the Nepali restaurant we went to the other day said she had 4 women go into labor after eating spicy dishes - one of women had her water break at the restaurant! XD

kristindruk · April 2016

Thank you for all the ideas everyone! I know I know that our bodies will just go into labor when they want to.... But I need something other than nesting and my toddler to keep my mind off of the fact that it could be awhile til I go into labor! If Im busy doing some of these things and think I'm at least helping the cause maybe the time will fly by a little faster?!

kimey1 · April 2016

@kristindruk

One more: castor oil. Add a tablespoon to scrambled eggs or juice in the morning at breakfast

pinottoparenthood · April 2016

Take it from me, if your body isn't ready, nothing works. I walked miles, birth ball, lots of sex, spicy food, ate a whole pineapple... still had to be induced with my first. Boo!

wildtot · April 2016

Please please don't do castor oil!

Ready4theParty · April 2016

Agree with pps. If your body isn't ready it's not going to happen. With DD I tried everything and nothing. I went 9 days late before being induced.

This time around I've been trying to keep busy by working up to my due date if not beyond. We've got a lot of big life events going on. My friend challenged me to read a book a month and that has been helpful to past the time.

ladylolly89 · April 2016

Knottie2891384 said:

Please please don't do castor oil!

THIS.

MariaSara1134 · April 2016

I was stubborn for a while before I finally decided I'd probably only use walking and a birth ball to encourage LO to move down, this is my first pregnancy and I'm 39+3 now, so the anticipation is killing me. Anyways I had a membrane sweep at my 38+5 appointment because it was offered to me, had cramps and pink/bloody discharge for the first time afterwards, and still nothing today, five days later. Used nipple stimulation and actually had intense contractions about 4-5 min apart, up until I decided to stop because it was quite uncomfortable and I felt stupid lol (NOT saying you are stupid if you try, and especially if it works, but I thought that if the contractions were legit they would've been there earlier or stayed, and I was right cuz I got nothin now). So much uncomfyness for no reason. I'd say be in the mind set to go overdue just so you'll be surprised if you don't

also sorry for long entry

pinottoparenthood · April 2016

I tried nipple stimulation and leaked colostrum for like two days haha

kristindruk · April 2016

Yes thank u for the warnings about castor oil - I've read what it can do so I'm going to stay away

kimey1 · April 2016

kristindruk said:

Yes thank u for the warnings about castor oil - I've read what it can do so I'm going to stay away

It won't be fun but you did ask hehe. Hope something works out for you!

kristindruk · April 2016

And yes I've been leaking for awhile so I need to stay away from my nipples! Lol

well so far the walking and birthing ball are possibly working bc last week I was at a -3, barely effaced and not dilated and this morning at 6 days later I'm at -2, 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced!! Who knows if what I'm doing is helping but I'm thrilled that I'm progressing! Come onnnn baby!

rebelone · April 2016

Nothing's really guaranteed and everything aside from caster oil, if you want to try it good luck to you! I tried walking around the mall for 2 hours with my last one and it set off a full day's worth of contractions but it stopped as soon as they gave me ambien to help me sleep since I wasn't dilating. My aunt had her membranes sweeped and she went walking around in the mall and 6 hours later she had my little cousin.

RoseShadow873 · April 2016

I don't get trying to induce yourself at 37 weeks.

korpatch · April 2016

I walked ton... I am uncertain how much it actually helped though... I was 3-4cm dilated and 90%effacted by the time I went in for the induction on Sunday. I was only at a 1 dilation and 80% effacted for two weeks prior despite lots of walking. I did have sex in between Thursday and Sunday... Hmmm....

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