whats the best alternative therapy for induction?

[skewiff]

I'm 41 weeks +10 - 2nd pregnancy.

did not have any of this overdueness with my first.

I've tried lots of things - not everything - but lots of things to get things going, including a sweep. Am not keen to go down the medica/drugsl induction route which is booked for next Wednesday.

Have any of you tried acupuncture or reflexology or any other therapy to get things going?

I'm going to give one of them a go tomorrow, but can't decide which. And did you have to visit more than once?

Thank you.

i have had acupuncture fir hyperemisis

my acupuncturist raved about acupuncture if over due, but they will only do the overdue stuff from 40 weeks. If i havent given birth i will be going at 40 weeks.
they were very positive about it

When I wanted to get DD2 moving, I used acupressure (looked for videos on Youtube, the relevant point is on your ankle) and also put evening primrose oil where the sun doesn't shine.
Acupuncture does have a reputation for helping - my local hospital has an on-staff acupuncturist to get the preggos going.

An acupuncturist raving about acupuncture working? funny that!

I was 1 day overdue and had reflexology at 6pm that evening. I felt so chilled afterwards and slept soundly that night for the first time in months. Until 4am that is, when a loud pop preceeded my waters going and DD arrived less than 2hrs later

Of course, I was already overdue so she was bound to arrive at any given time but I like to believe that I was relaxed and well rested sufficiently enough to allow my body to go into labour.

Would have happily repeated the treatment had DS also been late but he was 2.5 weeks early!

Well, I went to an acupuncturist today. And it was the most painful acupuncture session I have ever had.

The man was very intent on getting my baby to come out (I'm nearly 42 weeks) and came back and forth into the room about 4/5 times to twist the needles.

This wasn't really the painful thing. It was more the lying on my back in one position for a whole hour, or slightly more ...

I got terrible period and lower back pains and the Dr/man was very pleased. I thought it really might be working, which is why I just kept lying there bracing the (I know its mild compared to labour, as its my second) pain.

But I think, really, reflecting now with no pain at all, that I shouldn't have been lying on my back for a whole hour.

Anyway, nothing seems to be happening as of yet. Lets hope something might do as with you - WoodysHat - during the night.

I do just feel as though this baby really does not want to come out though.

really dont think you should be lieing on back for an hour either

I went to an acupuncture clinic with 4 beds and where 2 accupunctrists worked at a time...
on a couple of my sessions a lady over due came.... She SAT on the bed and never lay down at all. they used this electrical machine thing too do something to the needles too.

Tried reflexology and it did nothing . One of my babies came a bit early so that doesn't count but with the other 2 sex did the trick. Wasn't up for it , neither was dh - but I'd rather have his sperm than some random pig's and it honestly worked. It's also £40 cheaper than reflexology!

Here in the US my obn is sending me for accupunture before they induce me. She said in her experience it works about 70% of the time and that it is a better way to get things going.

Nipple stimulation brought on my DS, quickly too! (I've never admitted that about 40 mins before bed, then I got comfy, about to drift off and my waters went.

Being on your back for an hour doesn't sound good. I felt faint and in pain after 20 mins at 33 weeks for an amnio

Good luck skewiff (love the name - I say that!) hope it isn't too much longer for you

Thankyou!

Yes - I don't think an hour on my back was a good thing at all. Not sure I'll ever be going back there.

On the nipple stimulation - what exactly did you do, and for how long? I've read somewhere that for it to work you need to use a breast pump for several hours, which is just not going to happen - but if there's something less arduous (and painful! several hours on a pump would not be good) I'll give it a go. Have got a sweep on Wednesday and would prefer to avoid it if poss.

Not sure whether I can face sex though, i think a sweep might be preferable

My MW said it's got to be a good 20 mins of firm nipple tweaking (she recommended in the bath).....I had many many sessions of reflexology but ended up induced at 40+12 (tried the sex, didn't work!)

A friend of mine used acupuncture - the first session didn't work, but the second one did! After the first, the acupuncturist said he needed to do something different to boost her energy reserves, and it worked within 24 hrs.

The scientific evidence is that there is almost no non-medical way to encourage you to go into labour. There is some evidence for nipple stimulation but you have to do a lot of it. There's no evidence that acupuncture, reflexology or sex have any effect. Sorry

The best option is to keep yourself distracted so you don't think about it. Plan some fun stuff for the next week, although you might want to stick to relaxing activities rather than roller skating or rock climbing

I know it's not a therapy but FWIW raspberries and pineapple did it for me - 40 wks + 11 and the night before I was due to be induced. Good luck - hope it all kicks off soon.

I tried pineapple (whole), curry (hot), sex (hilarious), EPO insertions (bit yuk), accupressure (professional & doing it myself) and nipple stimulation (just myself!)and none of it worked for me. I ended up being induced with DS1 & DS2.

Think I might try acupuncture this time round.

Is raspberry leaf tea a complete myth?

Yes, raspberry leaf tea is meant to help strengthen uterine contractions, but not for inducing labour (so I'm told ;)!)

Am trying reflexology on Tuesday (40+8). If nothing else I'll have had a nice pamper session