Any tips for brining on labour?

[novice1]

I still have a few weeks to go but can't help thinking ahead! My DHs employer has dictated when he can have his paternity leave - WTF??? I therefore don't want to go too far beyond my dates or he'll be back at work. Does anyone have any tips for enducing labour naturally? I would really appreciate some advice. TIA

[madame]

Pineapple, rasberry tea, hot curry, sex!

[TheBlonde]

is his employer allowed to do that?

[PestoMonster]

rumpy-pumpy

[novice1]

Thanks.
Madame - is there a certain time when raspberry leaf tea is safe?

TheBlonde - DHs employer have such strict rotas that he has to fit in with them. It's majorly crap but not sure we can do anything about it.

[TheBlonde]

Paternity leave cannot start until the birth of the baby according to this
info

I don't think employers are allowed to tell you when to take the leave

[Divastrop]

rasberry leaf tea is safe from 35 weeks i think.most of these things only really work if the baby is going to arrive very soon anyway.

paternity leave while your wife is still pregnant seems bloody stupid to me.

[rachaelsara]

Hot sex at least once a night, makes you a bit achey, but dh is so in love with you because of all the sex, he won't mind waiting another six months for the first post-baby test attempt!

[hascas]

acupuncture has proven record of bringing on labour in those who are ready to go . Worked a treat with me and also helped to turn my (stubbornly) back to back baby around to enable me to have a drug free homebirth. I have also successfully used essential oils with foot massage (together with pelvic release) to bring on labour. If you would like details of an aromatherapist in your area contact IFPA (just google for their web site).

[AussieSim]

Pineapple
Hot Curry
Orgasm - yours
Orgasm - his (the semen can have an effect on the cervix)
nipple stimulation
vigourous exercise
acupuncture
In germany they have a cocktail that the midwife will give you the recipe to once you are over due - I can't remember what I was told was in it as I went early when I was there but I have some vague idea that it had some kind of oil, schnapps and homeopathic ingredients.
I think that the Raspberry Leaf tea etc is for 'preparing the uterus' for an easier labour rather than bringin you on per se - but I am no expert. I thought that you were able to take it once you got into the third trimester.

In Australia your employer can request you to take your maternity leave from 6 weeks before your due date, but the paternity leave is just from the birth of the baby. Does your DH have any leverage over his employer?

[tellyaddict]

For me it worked as follows:

DS1 (38+2) - sex
DS2 (39+1) - walking and scrubbing floor on all fours
DS3 (37+1) - lobster (was in labour within 4 hrs!!)

A friend had a hot curry which did the trick at 38+2.

Good luck!

[smallone]

Not alot unfortunately, I tried most things from 39 weeks and still went 7 days over. A word of caution tho I drank lots of raspberry leaf tea and ended up just having BH/ slow labour for 4 days. I have heard of other people who felt it just irritates your uterus into contractions. If I was to have another I would only have one a day in the last 2 weeks.

Might just be me tho!

[AdeleFielder]

I did lots of reasearch into this as i went over and had had enough of pregnancy. There's quite a bit on the internet. If u like like pinapple, I read it has to be fresh. Rasberry leaf tea, from the health store is great for strenghthening the uterus and is good post baby too as it helps to shrink it all back into place. I was reading that it can be taken from week 12, but worth looking into. Sex is ment to be good, (for inducing labour) but only really works when the baby nearly ready. Walking is ment to be good towards the end, as it helps the baby drop down into position and puts pressure on the right bits. Also what's ment to be good towards the end of pregnancy is Evening Primrose Oil, It can be taken orally and the dose increased in the last couple of weeks of pregnancy. It can also inserted internally before bed and it disolves, helping to ripen the cervix, they say you can use it for perinial massage too. I don't know much about accupuncture, but hear it's good. And what i read was don't do caster oil or some other coctails of things. Good Luck!