Early induction, does anything work to help chances of doing i naturally or are they all myths?

[SquallyRose]

Hi,
I am expecting my second and have cholestasis again, my 1st was a c-section due to failed induction at 38 weeks and because of the cholestasis I have been advised I would be safer to deliver before 39 weeks again, stillbirth risk increases a lot after this and there are no reliable tests that indicate a problem is developing, I don't have any idea of what my body would do if I delivered naturally (i.e. if I'd go over or what) but my 1st was nowhere near ready to come out, my cervix was welded closed and 3 days of prostin did nothing. I'd love to avoid a c-section this time if possible although a healthy baby obviously comes first, I've read that Evening Primrose Oil can help to soften the cervix and raspberry leaf tea can strengthen the uterus but wondered how true this is, I don't want to induce myself but my consultant has agreed to try induction with a balloon catheter and I would like to do anything I can to help this along.
Just wondered if any of you had tried these and found them sucessful or if anyone else has any suggestions, I don't want to induce though as I'd like him to stay in as close to the 39 weeks as possible, just want to do all I can to ready my body for labour because I know in all likelyhood I'll be asking it to do it before its naturally ready
Thanks for reading

I tried every possible induction method I had heard of. I drank gallons of raspberry leaf tea from 34 weeks, tried pineapple, nipple stimulation, curries, long walks, sex and had a sweep. None of them did anything and my baby was born at 42+1 I'm afraid.

I am now firmly of the opinion that the baby will come when it wants to and nothing short of medical intervention will get a baby out! However, none of these things are dangerous so at least if you try them you'll feel like you're doing something.

I tried every possible induction method I had heard of. I drank gallons of raspberry leaf tea from 34 weeks, tried pineapple, nipple stimulation, curries, long walks, sex and had a sweep. None of them did anything and my baby was born at 42+1 I'm afraid.

I am now firmly of the opinion that the baby will come when it wants to and nothing short of medical intervention will get a baby out! However, none of these things are dangerous so at least if you try them you'll feel like you're doing something.

oops

I had to be induced at 37+3 for an underlying medical reason. I did acupressure on myself for about 3 days beforehand and when I got the first dose of prostin I was already 1-2 dilated and effaced. Can't think of the link at the moment but if you Google 'labour accupressure' there are loads of links.

I was induced at 36+6 and 37+4 with DD1 and DD2. Drank lots of raspberry leaf tea in the run up to both inductions and for both I was already 1cm dilated before the prostin gel. Had quick labours with both. Obviously I have no idea what would have happened if I'd not had the tea, but I like to think it helped.

ok thats great, thanks very much, when did you start the tea greensnail? Internet said 34 weeks but wondered if I know I need to be early if I should start at 32 or something, I know nothing is definately going to work but just so want to have a normal delivery and avoid post op recovery with a 16 month old and baby! I'd just like to feel I've tried everything possible to help my body get going

rasberry leaf tea doesn't do anything to induce labour that is not what it is for it is supposed to help tone the uterus to help contactions be efective.

unfortunately no methods have been found by reasearch to work.

I wish you all the best and hope you manage to gt into labour this time.
There's no harm giving natural methods a try, nipple stimulation can aid contractions too.

I can't remember when I started, but it was definitely earlier than 34 weeks. Probably about 32 I think. I agree it really helps to know you've done everything you can to help the induction along. I think being in the right frame of mind for it helps too.

Good luck, hope it all goes well for you. I have a 17 month gap between my girls and its pretty full on, but great fun.

I don't want to actually induce labour, I'm looking for ways to get my body into the best place to help the induction work, I'd read that the raspberry leaf can make contractions more effective so was thinking if I'm induced using the balloon I could use Evening Primrose Oil to help soften the cervix and hopefully make that part sucessful then they'll break my waters and probably put me on Syntocin so I was hoping the raspberry leaf would help my body with the forced contractions so they were effective, at 38 weeks I would be asking it to do something its probably not ready for so really wanted to try and help myself along if that makes sense?? Really don't want to get dilated enough for ARM then need a c-sec because my contractions aren't effective

The only thing that works is castor oil. I know
midwifes who have taken it. Personally I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole, but apparently it does work!

I tried absolutely everything except acupuncture. None worked. However, the general view from medical people is:

Sex (sperm ripens the cervix, going solo releases oxytocin so can help things along)
Walking (miles and miles)
Curry (although I ate it for 6 weeks each time at least 5 times a week, including vindaloos - nothing)
Raspberry leaf tea - gives you better contractions (doesn't induce labour)

I found raspberry leaf tea did give really strong contractions.

And reflexology definately prepared my cervix

btw, I started the tea about 30 wks

Raspberry leaf tea DOES NOT bring on labour- it only serves to strengthen the uterus (apparently), didn't work for me! A lot of people get this info wrong! Most other practices are myths and could make you downright uncomfortable such as the castor oil and curry method. I wouldn't try these. You could always try a prayer?

I hadn't thought about reflexology, I tried accupuncture with DD but it didn't do anything, also tried going solo (hubby wasn't keen although he's since read the thing about it being more beneficial absorbed through the stomach so is more up for it this time, yes, pleasure for me is high on the adgenda lol)after 3 days of prostin my bishops score was 2 which means cervix still high, long and just starting to soften slightly, depressing for me after the prostin pains!
EmmakateWH I wouldnn't want to try castor oil as that does induce and I'd be worried about getting the squits and labouring and having to be monitored continually!! Could see myself potentially ending up in rather a disgusting mess

castor oil gives the baby squits too - dangerous (yes, I know that from experience)

Yes I'd heard it can cause them to pass meconium. My mum used it with my little bro coz she was overdue and desperate for him to come out, he was fine but she spent most of her labour on the loo and ended up very dehydrated, her advice, doesn't matter how much you think you want the baby out you are never that desperate!

sex has always worked for me, but you need to do it lots! 3 doses of semen contains about the same amount of prostaglandins as 1 pessary used in inductions. A friend had accupuncture when she was over due for all 3 babies, all were born within 18 hrs of it?

hi squally I will be induced at 38 weeks and will be having acupuncture the week before to try and ready my body. I am also having a really good chat with the midwife who will hopefully be there on the day as to how they will proceed. Knowledge is power, in my book and so long as I have an idea what will happen I will be more relaxed which will hopefully help. I'm not sure how much any of the old wives tales work. The general stillbirth rate is 0.5% so even if you have read that it increases alot with OC after 39 weeks, it is still a tiny precentage so please don't spend time worrying about that .

Nothing worked for me and I tried everything. Since been told that swallowing semen works(sorry, you did ask)....

Acupuncture and acupressure are very likely to be beneficial, though if you do go down this route, make sure that the practitioner specialised in pregnancy and childbirth.

I was induced with dd and ds and 39+; only needed one dose of gel to start labour; dd was 8 hours active labour, ds less than 3.

Hope that it goes well for you.

Thats what Hubby read too and he reminds me of it much more than necessary, having said that works both ways, sorry darling I'd love to but then it could cause premature labour
OC increases stllbirth chance a lot after 39 weeks but as I'll be delivered before that I am not worrying about it, I knew before I got pregnant this time it would probably return which is loads better than finding out after 35 weeks of a textbook perfect pregnancy, I definately agree with the knowledge thing, part of being so relaxed this tim is knowing so much more about the OC and risks/management, also have a very good consultant who talks to me (not at me) and treats me like I'm human (I know, don't tell anyone patients are human) and not a mushroom

My doc today recommended acupuncture but only by a specialist.xx