Ok, so old wives tales for starting labour don't work, I know that. But life would be far easier if I went into labour this weekend. Give me an infallible list of things to try!

[robino]

I'm nearly 39 wks pregnant. DH works 300 miles away and we have 2 DDs (just turned 4 and 2.5). Both DDs came 5 days early, if this one did the same it would arrive this weekend which would be perfect in terms of logisitics. What do you reckon my chances are?

I'm beginning to get very concerned that if this one isn't obedient then I have a consultant appointment on Tuesday and they'll give me a sweep there and then. I've just tried to call my MW to talk this through and whether she might do me one on Friday or say it's ok to tell the consultant to leave it, she'll do one nearer the weekend but she's off sick.

So - I'm going out in a while to buy raspberry leaf tea and maybe some clary sage oil. I am going to blow my birthing ball up. My mum is here tomorrow and Thursday, I may have someone with me on Friday as well so I figured that as of tomorrow I may as well give "operation give birth at the weekend" a shot!. All ideas welcome.

[potplant]

Organise a lovely day out for you and your mum on Saturday and make sure its somewhere with a large non-refundable deposit.

Order £200 worth of shopping from Tesco.

Worked for me.

[theborrower]

Hi, I think it's all old wives tales myself, your baby will come when it's good and ready. So in the meantime, just enjoy the last days of your pregnancy before newborn life starts all over again! :)

I had a curry the weekend before she came, went for a walk etc - just coincidences I think. My labour started in the cinema - maybe baby didn't like the loud rumbling soundtrack or my Ben and Jerrys, or was just being awkward

[KnowNothing]

With both my DC I had reflexology in the afternoon/evening and then went into labour during the night. I was a little bit overdue both times though. But it was a really lovely treatment anyway - I wasn't expecting it to 'work' but that was a pleasant bonus!

The reflexologist said both times that babies come when they are ready and that she can't make it happen, just suggest it. Then when DH phoned to let her know the babies arrived she apparently revealed she does have a 100% success record!

[ChippyMinton]

Go to ikea and buy the largest quantity of flat pack furniture you can fit in your car. Bring home. Assemble.

Your waters will go 'pop' in the early hours and you will have beautiful baby by 10am latest.

[ByThePowerOfGreyskull]

stop thinking about it,and believe that it could be another 3 weeks.
alternatively apparenty having an enema does it every time. (if baby is cooked)

[ImFab]

What appeared to work for me was

a long walk
another walk
curry
rhubarb and custard
raspberry leaf tablet (just 1)

Good luck.

[ThatllDoPig]

Yes, I've heard there is a reflexology point on the big toe somewhere which will stimulate labour, IF the baby/your body is ready. Might be worth a prod around if you can reach your toe!
Or jump about (gently) on a trampoline.
Or squat down and rock back and forth like a tribeswoman.
The last two things worked for me.
Lots of people say have lots of sex too.
Good luck!

[mischiefmummy]

Can also try steeping two large handfuls of rosemary in boiling water for about an hour. Use the murky looking water in a long warm bath. Worked for me twice (the others were on time!) Rosemary is a massive stimulant. Aim for at least two baths in 24 hours. Gook Luck!!

[robino]

Oh, I know they come when they're good and ready. I'm hoping baby and body will be ready (they have been twice before) but I'm not giving up without a good fight! I'm finding it mentally draining as it is this week with DH being so far away and having to have plans B and C in place (because my plan Bs are an hour away) - I think having DH 300 miles away and being overdue might send me over the edge!

[robino]

Bugger - can't fit any more furniture in my house. But am only 5 miles from Ikea so could just go and breathe in the flatpack!

Have a massive rosemary bush in the garden that needs a prune so will definitely do that.

I am trying really hard not to think about it. And failing. Wasn't particularly fussed either time before but logistics are making this one a worry!

[ChippyMinton]

I also scoffed a huge bag of mini daim bars from ikea, so that might be worth a try?

[robino]

Chippy that's always worth a try

[KikiJane]

The reflexology point is not in your big toe. The point for your uterus is on the inside edge of your heel/ankle, but it's difficult to describe exactly where, as it differs slightly for everyone. Also, it is unlikely to work without a full treatment (if it works at all!).

I tried everything, 2 weeks late, and nothing happened. Curry, reflexology, raspberry leaf, sex, pineapple, a long walk (4 miles!)...I even went on a bumpy tractor ride! Nothing. My babies were lazy.

[beijingaling]

Reflexology, acupuncture, ripe papaya, sex with orgasm for you.

[eden263]

Maybe a little impractical/extreme, but I went out on a speedboat (ie a big dinghy with a motor) on the sea 2 weeks before my due date with DS1. It was very rough and bouncy. Went into labour about 36 hours later. I'm convinced this was the cause as both later children had to be induced at 10 days late

[wigglesrock]

Just wanted to say that cinema started me off with dd1 also, she was already 1 week late - loud action film I think. Dd2 was induced and am expecting dc3 in 2 weeks, so they'll probably put in an appearance early March

[Maisiethemorningsidecat]

Reflexology worked for lazy number 3 - or maybe he was just ready...

Have also heard that an enema can get things moving (at both ends!), as can walking sideways up and down the stairs, raspberry leaf tea and castor oil and orange juice (which I'm sure must tast vile, but maybe the enemic effects?)

Good luck

[Chandon]

what potplant said

[Nagoo]

sex.

worked twice where all else had failed. Took 2 hours for labour to start each time.

For DD DH hadn't bee near me for months, stepped up to the plate, while I was near tears at 11 days over: "I will do it with you tonight". Selfless he was.

[maltymoo]

Well...it may well have been coincidence, and the little blighters do seem to hang in there till they are ready, but with DD I had a long walk, then a huge craving for 'green soup'..weirdly,as I don't remember having eaten it before. So I went home & made a big pot of pea soup with a whole bag of peas, & went into labour that night.

Could well be unrelated, but have since discovered that peas are high in progesterone (or is it the other one)..anyway, the one that has a mild contraceptive effect & can start labour off.

Good luck!Am sure it will all work out fine for you.x

[Bumperrlicious]

Evening primrose oil capsule up the fanjo & cosmic ordering on Mn worked for me

this link is useful

[Bumperrlicious]

and this was my cosmic ordering thread

[robino]

Excellent Eden - have just invested in a speedboat while at the health food shop .

Cosmic ordering worth a shot Bumper - will read your thread, I promise but need to heat up some soup make a healthy and nutritious lunch for the DDs - how far in advance did you make your order?

[ShowOfHands]

Just eat some cake.

You know none of it works. People who ate curry or had sex or whatever and had a baby did so through coincidence. Thousands of others didn't.

Raspberry leaf btw is nowt to do with starting labour, it strengthens the uterus for when labour does start.

It's bloody annoying but just do things to make you happy. And nobody can make you have a sweep.

[FortiesCromarty]

nipple twiddling worked for me, bang into labour straight away!