Mumsnet Talk

what else - my back is in half and I am sick of knitting needle pains so bad I am scared to walk anywhere.

I'm so glad to have gotten to 37 weeks - but it's time for baby

Any suggestions anyone?

According to my mw, anything that makes "you go".
Who knows though? I'm 37 weeks too and really ready to meet lo, just so uncomfortable all of the time...

I've added Jasmine oil to my list after an Internet trawl. Just want the baby to arrive im so tired.

Pineapple, a hot curry, a long walk, nipple stimulation, being near a newborn baby...

But with pineapple you have to eat about 7 before whatever is in it starts to work!

7 pineapples? But I love it, so that'd be easy! Would juice work too, or is it only the flesh?

My first 2 DCs went 17 days over and I tried everything you've listed there and more! Reflexology, aromatherapy, acupuncture... None worked!

Tried it all again with DC3 just as I was so desperate not to be induced and none if it worked. Then I tried castor oil. It made me hideously ill with vomiting and diarrhoea all night but I went into labour on my own the next morning.

However I got a massive bolllocking from the midwife about it as it can cause false labour with all the pain but no dilation which is why it's not recommended anymore.

So I guess it depends how desperate you are! My personal theory is the baby will come out when it's good and ready.

I've read bad things about castor oil - will be giving that a wide birth - will stick to the things I've listed I think - thanks everyone

Evening Primrose oil works to an extent, it softens the cervix. I used it from 38 weeks and at just over 40 was 2cm.
It doesn't start labour though. I went into labour 11 days late. It was 7 hours from the first twinge to delivery although I can't attribute that to the EPO I dilated FAST.

If your body is not in some way 'ready' then anything you do won't work. If your body is ready then all you will do is trigger it to do what it would anyway.
On the castor oil front, there is a kind made by Pukka that is a natural form of castor oil, it's much gentler than most forms of castor oil but can still have an effect.
How are you using the epo?

EPO - 4 capsules internally 4 times a day, last one if poss combined with sex (tmi), same to raspberry leaf capsules except those are being swallowed orally obviously (even though they give me heart burn).

Used last of clary sage rubbed into my belly last night - hoping the new bottle arrives tomorrow.

Fri/sat nights I was in agony (and it was too early) - nothing in day and everything has completely stopped now.

I feel like a giant slug - I can't move I'm so big and uncomfortable as well as in considerable pain on a regular basis from knitting needle type stabbings!

nipple stimulation...do you have a breast pump

get down on all fours and rock....clean the skirtings boards while your at it!

its exhausting, with one of my darlings i was 10 days over and he was 10lbs 8!

On the pineapple front it's not the flesh it's the core.

Sex! Even if you don't really feel like it. And lots of long walks and scrubbing the kitchen floor.

Acupressure works too. 24-48 hours before my waters broke, I did this on my ankle bone and on the bit of skin between my thumb and index finger.

Supposedly the hormones in semen work better if ingested...

Er...it's the hormones in the semen that soften the cervix...I imagine it would be obliterated by stomach acid and wouldn't target the required area....

Zuleika - I think that's a rumour made up by men....could just about manage sex at 9 months pregnant, but he certainly wasn't getting anything else!!

I hate to say it, but I did absolutely every thing that you've listed for FOUR weeks and DS was induced at 40+4. This time around I've got raspberry leaf capsules as I think they do help the pushing stage, and some clary sage to use to help strengthen contractions when I'm actually IN labour, but honestly, I don't think much will kick-start it until it's ready.

My MW said sex (well actually she said orgasms ), walking, bouncing on a yoga ball, anything to get the baby's head nudging down against the cervix, to persuade it that it's time to open. She didn't set much stock by any pills or foods. It's the US, though, we have different Old Wives' Tales over here

yes I think I need to get more active, instead of literally sitting down all day, but Im so tired from not sleeping, and Im so uncomfortable, and in so much pain when I do walk about, Ive become almost scared to walk anywhere.

I have discovered as well, the smell of clary sage is giving me heart burn, so this evening I am going to mix it with some lavender and geranium in some pure olive oil (doc prescribed it for DHs ears?), and see if thats any better.

Come on baby - PLEASE.

(dont think my "how quick can you be" is doing much for DHs ego either

Rsearchis suggesting it is baby who I initiates labour... Have a word

Research is suggesting it is baby who I initiates labour... Have a word

Clary sage oil - stinks!

Your doing all the right things - but 37 weeks is still quite early, you might be better off resting for an extra week and then getting stuck in! I used 3 EPO capsules a day from 38 weeks and drank a lot of raspberry leaf tea. From about 38+4 me and DH DTD every other day and I was walking about 8 miles a week - DS was born at 39+5, I have no idea if my actions helped things along though! It was a fun project though!

I know its early, DD was 2 weeks earely, one before her 7 days, I had sort of pinned my hopes I think, and I am so tired and so uncomfortable and in so much pain now I have had enough, probably making things worse with wishful thinking.

The one thing I am not doing is walking, it hurts!

Thanks though, rest is impossible in this house, too many children!