To ask if there's any way to start labour that isn't an d wives tail?

[turquoisesea7]

I'm overdue and really don't want to be induced, I know there's a lot of old wives tales out there but does anyone have any advice that actually worked for them and started labour please?

Sorry the title should say old wives tales

I think sex is the only one that really works. There’s a protein in semen that helps. The midwives recommended it when I was overdue with both DC. DC1 I didn’t and was induced. DC2 I did and contractions started about an hour later.

Honestly I don’t think there is from personal experience of trying them all … but give them all a go (except castor oil that’s dangerous)

Sex and nipple stimulation are the only ways with a proven scientific explanation.

Thank you, we have been throughout pregnancy and nothing yet but it's a good excuse to carry on.

I have had a sweep which hasn't worked but I really don't want to be induced because it's apparently more painful and I had a very painful birth last time which wasn't induced, just gas and air so I'm desperately trying to get things started.
I've walked miles and I'm bouncing around on my birth ball.

I understand your frustration (I was 14 days over myself) .
But if there was any foolproof way it would always be used instead of 'medical' intervention..
I tried everything suggested above with my second but nothing worked.. finally medically induced at 40+11 and she arrived 2 days later..
(30+yrs ago when you were 'allowed' to go 2 weeks overdue).

How far along are you OP? If there’s no medical need for induction can you just hold out and wait and try to get into a bit of a zen state (easier said than done)

Clary sage (in a carrier oil) firm foot massage by my midwife worked very swiftly and painfully 🙄. She wasn’t my favourite person for a while there 😂

The only one that is evidenced to have any effect is sex (without a condom). Something to do with sperm and prostaglandins? I can’t remember the details but there is a link.

I'm not sure any old wives' tales are foolproof! But anecdotally I had a pedicure and a clary sage bath and a baby 12 hours later, then recommended the clary sage oil to a friend who had exactly the same experience. And at the very least you then have nice nails (that you will soon be able to see) and a relaxing bath.

How far along are you OP?
41 weeks

You could try this

I think pumping helps. I pumped colostrum and it got me started. They actually tell you to avoid pumping as it supposedly can bring on labour.

I will try this thank you, I wonder if raspberry leaf tea would work?

Thank you I'll give it a go

Express milk. It works every time...

I'll let you know if it works

Clary sage and jasmine oil.
Raspberry leaf tea is meant to help with more powerful and effective contractions.

Sex works for two reasons. Protein in the semen and manual stimulation on the cervix,

Any manual stimulation can work such as a sweep. Or self stimulation ie if you can reach you can apply your own stimulation if you can't face sex.

At 41 weeks the risks of induction drop and the risks of continuing the pregnancy increase, so if you're being offered induction now then I'd go for it to be honest (I consented to an induction at 41 weeks but fortuitously went into labour naturally before there was a bed available on the antenatal ward).

When type of induction will they start with? ARM (artificial rupture of membranes, or breaking the waters) or a pessary? It's rare to start with a hormone drip, that's usually uses to speed.thivs along if other methods have failed.

The prostaglandins in semen can help your cervix begin to dilate (open) and efface (thin out as the muscle rides up towards the top of your uterus to push out the baby) but if your midwife was physically able to perform the sweep you're presumably starting to open already? In which case doggy style and nipple stimulation are probably your best bet. Apparently (according to a midwife friend) any type of orgasm for the mother is useful, which I suppose makes sense when you're aiming to kickstart contractions!

My midwife also recommended romcoms, romantic dinners, relaxing walks, anything that will promote oxytocin.

Eat dates and walk about your house with one high heel shoe on.

Laughing. Find something really hilarious on YouTube, anything to make you do real belly laughs.

@Overbythewaterfountain ARM

Between my first in 2022 & now, clary sage is no longer recommended.

But if you find something that works, OP, let me know because I am 100% over the bowling ball on my bladder!