39 weeks - any tips to bring on labour

[angelface18]

I'm 39 weeks today and getting period like cramps and icky mucus but she still doesnt seem like she wants to move!
Any natural ways to try and get her moving? I've tried birthing ball, pineapple and lots of walking, all to no avail

[dizzydixies]

sex

[angelface18]

Not that desperate lol

[HotTrouserCough]

Orgasm without sex

[liahgen]

nipple twiddling!! Would have to stimulate each nipple for at least 10 mins a go, though. Lulu is the expert on that.

you would also have to eat about 9 fresh pineapples for them to have any effect.

evening primrose capsules, (buy from Boots) clary sage.

have to agree though, sex is good.

[dizzydixies]

speed bumps
squats

arrange to go for lunch in a remote spot wearing your best clothes and unpack your hospital bag

[HolidaysQueen]

i hate to say it, but i tried everything and the thing that worked for us was sex... just thought i'd mention it in case you do finally get that desperate soon

[anonymama]

combination of:

long walks
curry
sex
raw pineapple
raspberry leaf tea

or just wait and let nature take its course. A big baby is a healthy baby, so the closer to your due date, uncomfortable as it is, the better for your baby.

Good luck.

[Mummyfor3]

Lots of physical activity like walking
Acupuncture
Raspberry Leaf Tea - for shorter 2nd stage
Sex, yes
Nipple stimulation, equally
hot curry
birthing ball - keep going

Tried all the abouve in persuit of VBAC to no avail, however a rather painful uncomfortable vigorous membrane sweep by obstetric registrar at 41 weeks finally did the trick and I had brilliant delivery with gas and air only .

Disclaimer: much of the above has no scientific basis but I was prepared to try anything..

(BTW: I forget the exact figures but for the enzyme in pineapple to work you'd need to eat about 8 gazillion tons of it )

Good luck!

[lauraloola]

Loads of long walks, fresh pineapple and rasberry tea leaf tablets.

Also, I started a cross stitch just before dd was due. If you start something that you want to finish before dc is born it is bound to happen, dd was born half way through and it took me ages to finish it!!! Good luck x

[Mummyfor3]

PS: I begged dr for membrane sweep and was up for sore experience and I am VERY happy with outcome. I have some friends who had MS and found it horrible experience AND it did not work .

Agree with DIZZY: plan anything where going into labour would NOT suit and it will probably happen...

[MiniMarmite]

Hi Angel

I'm in the same place as you...I'm 39+3 and I feel like I HAVE eaten 8 gazillion tonnes of pineapple! May have to resort to sex soon, if only it didn't seem so complicated at the moment !

Dizzy - LOL at remote spot and hosp bag unpacking!

Reflexology meant to work too.

Anonymama is right of course about the nearer to the due date the better...

Hope things start moving soon.

[mamadiva]

I was 40+6 and the day I wwent into labour (eventually), I went for a hot curry with DP and walked a mile back from resteraunt. Couldn't face sex or anything but those seemes to bring it on and I've heard the same about hot food from other people.

Is bloody horrible when your stuck being pregnant I don't know about anyone else but I had the airy fairy idea that because my due date had passed that all MW and doctors were liars LOL.

[mamadiva]

Oh and I had a memebrane sweep the day before not the most comfortable of things but I guess it helps.

[ajm200]

Last time a long walk, eating two pineapples and drinking raspberry leaf tea got my son moving. Unfortunately, my fear of hospitals stopped it again.

You could try a long bath with a few drops of clary sage and lavender essential oils. Also massage your tummy with a few drops of clary sage mixed into a base oil. The smell of clary sage oil can make you very relaxed,(some people it makes them feel slightly drunk and works like gas and air in early labour) os probably best done before bed.

[jasperc163]

angelface,
I had a single reflexology treatment the day before my due date and waters broke the next morning - no idea if it was a coincdence or not. I specifically told her i wanted her to get things moving and she stimulated a point on my heel which was incredibly painful ie it wouldnt normally hurt at all but this really did so I assume it was doing something specific to the pregnancy.

maybe worth a try...

[twinmomma]

There are quite a few ways to start labour and I am currently tring them all so will be able to give feedback shortly:

1. Red Raspberry Leaf Tea or capsules

1. Clary Sage Oil - rubbed on the bump (once it has been diluted with acarrier oil) or in the bath ( 5-6 drops is more than enough)

1. Castor Oil - 50 - 60 ml placed in a gass of orange juice to dull the taste - this will cause loose stools and may make you vomit but is supposed to work with 48 hrs in 56% of cases

1. Intimacy with a partner what got it in is supposed to get it out. prostaglandins in semen are supposed to help, some say that you must orgasm for this to be effective and there is some evidence that swallowing semen is effective as the prostaglandins are more effective when ingested.

1. Accupuncture or Accupressure are both supposed to bring on contractions - if you don't like needles accupressure is for you, this works by stimulating pressure points on the body to get contractions started.

1. Walking - the weight of the baby on the carvix is supposed to help

1. Stair Walking - same principle as walking but not for the faint hearted.

1. Evening Primose Oil - talking orally in a capsule and also breaking the capsule and inserting it into the vagina are supposed to be effective at getting the cervix to dialate and get things started.

1. Reflexology - same idea as accupuncture and accupressure - the stimulation of prssure points is thought to stimulate your bodies own energy to create contractions

10. Excessive activity or cleaning is thought to help and this is usually caused by the nesting instinct some women get.

11. Jasmine oil applied to the pulse pint 3 fingers from your wrist (diluted in a carrier oil) is supposed to help

12. Membrane sweep - to be performed by a medical professional where a finger is inserted into th vagina and through the cervix if it is ripe. The bag of waters is then gently stimulated and this is thought to cause labour to start - a vaginal examination can also cause this to happen

13. Hot spicy food such as a vindaloo curry

Hope this helps as it is all the information that I have gained through a trawl of the internet myself - I am ready to have my baby - good luck to all of you.

[MrsSprat]

patience and sleep. you won't regret it. Man, that first week afterwards is hard!

[summersmummy]

i am 39weeks and 3days pregnant and ive been trying since 37weeks to get my lil girl to hurry up, ive tried pineapple, sex, nipple stimulation, long walks..Uphill! raspberry leaf tea which just gave me painful braxton hix and hear i am still waiting! i am at this moment eating a hot curry.. real hot and im gettin some niggly pains in the lower region but who knows... fingers crossed the curry will do hwer nut in and make her want to come out. if this doesnt work i give up and accept that she isnt going to come till she is ready. good luck to all the mums out there. x

[summersmummy]

i am 39weeks and 3days pregnant and ive been trying since 37weeks to get my lil girl to hurry up, ive tried pineapple, sex, nipple stimulation, long walks..Uphill! raspberry leaf tea which just gave me painful braxton hix and hear i am still waiting! i am at this moment eating a hot curry.. real hot and im gettin some niggly pains in the lower region but who knows... fingers crossed the curry will do hwer nut in and make her want to come out. if this doesnt work i give up and accept that she isnt going to come till she is ready. good luck to all the mums out there. x

[biglips]

im 39 weeks too and watching this thread with interest.

[ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight]

39+2 here...just informed DH that we will be having some sex later! Been for long walk today in the driving rain and about to make a pot of RL tea. It's moving like crazy which is unusual so I'm hoping it's a sign....

[WombFor1More]

Just a quick one to say I wouldn't reccommend castor oil at all as it can be very dangerous. True it makes you sick and gives you diarrhoea which can both make you dehydrated and it also has similar effects on the baby making it more liable to pass meconium before birth which in turn can lead to breathing problems. Not nice

My friend did this at 40wks and her otherwise healthy 9lb baby ended up in special care for 2wks due to meconium. Could have been a coincidence but not worth the risk imo.

Hope things move along soon for you ladies, good luck

[biglips]

how often did you all do it on the sex side before you went into labour??

as i believe ALOT of sex

[jadeyp]

i am currently 36+4 and have experienced some wierd feelings today which i never did with my last 2 girls this one is a boy!!! I just wondered if anyone can tell me the difference in braxton hicks and contractions my belly was going solid 4 a few seconds then soft again along with quite bad period pain more so in my back, is this all normal or does it sound like my baby may come early?? also my breasts r very tender can anyone advise me as if i contact midwifes they have me sitting around hospitals 4 hours on end gill

[rolereversal]

get on your hands and knees and scrub the kitchen floor!!!

Worked for me

also try homeopathy, if you can find a reliable homeopath in your area.

good luck