Natural ways to induce labour.

[SoonWillHave3LittleLadies]

Hello, bare with me because im new to this but in desperate need of some advice. Im current 35+3 with baby number 3. Im suffering with awful SPD, (having to use crutches, not the easiest thing with a 3 and 1 year old) and also havent slept for weeks due to RLS that bad that its spread to my arms too, making resting near enough impossible. Ive just been given 6 B12 injections to help my body absorb iron and I take iron tablets 3 times a day, yet my HB levels wont rise above 9. As you can imagine im phsyically drained constantly. Last week I had the steriod injections to mature babys lungs and my consultant has agreed to induce me when ever I can take it anymore from 36 weeks. See, having had one previous induced labour and one where I went in naturally, I know that induced labour hurts more and takes longer. Making me reluctant to let them start me off. Is their anything I can try at home to induce labour naturally? Soneone must have some ideas Please . Thank you in advanced.

[GlitterySkulls]

what worked for me with DD when the spd got unbearable & running around after DS nigh on impossible, was lots of bouncing on the gym ball & sex. uncomfortable, yes, but it worked, she was 9 days early.

sometimes though, if baby doesn't want to shift, it won't. DS came when he was ready (luckily only 3 days late.)

[NappyHappy]

I'm another one in favour of a gym ball. I had a sweep first but it worked for me. I was due for induction 3 days after but gym ball saved the day!!!

[Manchesterhistorygirl]

Gym all and spd may not be an option. Bitter voice of experience here. OP I feel your pain sweetheart, that was me too.

Have you tried clary sage on your bump?

[CautionaryWhale]

Sex - tis the sperm apparently. Clitoral orgasm if sex not poss. Nipple stimulation for a longish time several times a day. Walking a lot.
Hottish curry. Food with black pepper cinammon or nutmeg.
Raspberry tea. Fresh pineapple.

Most of these are anecdotal or urban myths but if desperate you could do the lot in combination. Good luck! X

[jamtoast12]

I sat on a gym ball every night for 4 weeks of both pregnancies, it made me comfy but I still went on due date! If its not ready, nothing will make it come quicker!

[YouDontWinFriendsWithSalad]

Apparently you would need to eat four pineapples, including the leaves, to even begin to replicate the enzyme that can kick off pregnancy! Raspberry leaf has also been debunked. The hot curry thing was what midwives used to prescribe a few decades ago when people weren't used to spicy food. It used to irritate the bowels and bring on the shits and sometimes labour at the same time.

Like others have said, the only things that really have a chance of working is the gym ball (preferably after a sweep) and sex. The gel that they give you during induction is the synthetic version of whatever's in semen, apparently!

[YouDontWinFriendsWithSalad]

sorry, that should say "kick off labour", not pregnancy! I don't imagine that pineapples can cause pregnancy. Although I did drink a few pina coladas on the night that I conceived. Hmm...

[GlitterySkulls]

Manchesterhistorygirl i thought the whole point of bouncing on the gym ball (apart from encouraging baby to get their head down) was to relieve the pain/ pressure of spd?

that's what i've always used mine for.

[looneytune]

Must agree that the ball really helps me with my SPD too, especially on my front and leaning over it :)

[SoonWillHave3LittleLadies]

Oh ladies believe me I will be trying all these.thank you. I'm near on desperate. With DD2 I took 2 black cohosh tablets and 38 weeks and 4 hours later contractions started. But I'm not entirely sure they will work this early :S