Inducing labour yourself - what worked for you?

[Lucyand2]

I'm 39 weeks, I'm gigantic and I really want to go into labour ASAP.
I've been looking at various methods and trying some out but I was wondering what has actually worked for people!
I've tried sex but have since read that prostaglandins are better absorbed through the stomach so I may have to...swallow. Not so sure about that one after eating nearly a whole pineapple that burnt my mouth out. It wasn't completely ripe but what the heck, it tasted good.
I've tried a spicy curry although it could have been spicier so I may try that one again.
So far these methods have been unsuccessful but I'm willing to give anything a go!

[Jackmummy]

I tried everything!
2 whole pinapples - nothing
sex - nothing (didn't know about swallowing!)
Long walks - got contractions going so much I could hardly waddle home, but as soon as I sat down... nothing
Raspberry leaf tea tablets - I O'D on these and still nothing
Curry - Made me go! but nothing
Caster Oil - Made me retch like hell when I drank it and then sat on the loo for hours with stomach cramps but nothing - Please avoid this one!
Only thing that I found really worked was a really thourough painfull sweep.
I think some of the above can help if you're really ready anyway, may speed things up.
Good luck

[alfiesbabe]

Cut the grass. I did this the day before my due date cos I was huge and fed up. And I went into labour that evening. We did have quite a lot of lawn btw

[MuffinMclay]

My SIL swears by grass mowing as a way of getting things going. It has worked for 3 of her 4 (didn't try with the 1st).

Not the ideal time of year for it though.

[NAB3wishesfor2008]

raspberry leaf tablet
long walk
rhubarb and custard
curry

next day

another walk
more rhubarb

labour started that night

[CarGirl]

tried all the usual
sex (lots of)
curry
sweeps
acupuncture

none of it helped at all

[NAB3wishesfor2008]

castor oil = bad idea.

[NorthernLurker]

clary sage oil?
reflexology?

[CarGirl]

just realised it was reflexology not acupuncture I had!!!! Each time I was told how ripe it all was and I was going to go into labour any day.........I was obviously meant to be a 43 weeker

[foxythesnowman]

Ice cream, chocolate cake and sitting down with your feet up, having someone bring you tea.

A warm bath and a foot massage.

A pedicure.

A head massage.

A lovely 3 course dinner.

A good book/magazine/film.

I can honestly say I tried everything (castor oil included - but was too chicken to take enough of the stuff). Mango/pineapple/walking/cutting the grass/nipple tweaking/aromotheraphy oil/homeopathic...need I go on. All about as effective as the above!

[clouisewood]

Hi.
I tried everything too but ended up being induced. Did the pineapple, raspberry tea and tablets, reflexology, sex, long walks, curry, stretch and sweep....nothing worked. The only things that I didn't try were the swallowing and acupuncture (which a friend swears by)...I think it was because my DD was back to back. Good luck though!!

[foxythesnowman]

You have just reminded me Cargirl - I had two sessions of acupuncture the day before DC4 was born. It included passing an electric current through the needles (not the most pleasant experience). She came the next day, 13 days late.

[barbamama]

clary sage in massage oil worked for me

[Trolleydolly71]

Message withdrawn

[tangarine]

Reflexology worked for me with ds2 (but he arrived at exactly 40 weeks, so maybe it would have started anyway).

Good luck!

[Fluffsuptheduff]

trolley isnt' that because orgasm releases oxytocin so can start contractions?

[clouisewood]

I tried the 'going solo' route too with my plastic love....still nothing!!

[Trolleydolly71]

Message withdrawn

[MammyT]

I tried acupuncture on Saturday (including the electric nodes and acupressure magnets) but no luck.

5 days over.. Next step is a sweep. Does anyone know the success rate?

[dizietsma]

Sex worked for me.

[whomovedmychocolate]

My grass needs cutting if you are offering?

[GColdtimer]

Nothing works. Unless you are ready, then it all helps but at that point it will happen on its own anyway. but if you are not ready, it probably will not work.

Take it from someone who knackered herself out trying every trick in the book (and some that weren't) only to still be induced at 42 weeks. I'd save yourself the bother, get some rest and let it happen naturally

[RipMacWinkle]

Ditto what twofalls said.

I tried everything. Believe me.

But nothing worked. Like twofalls says, if you're ready then some of these might kick it off. But not for me. Hope you have better luck

[kekouan]

sex, bit of fiddling for the oxytocin release (ahem) and a sweep at 40+6