A list of ways to kick start labour. Old wives' tales, scientific facts and the ridiculous welcome.

[TimeyWimeyStuff]

Please add anything you've heard of or believe works. I have:

Walking
Sex
Fresh pineapple
Laxatives

There must be more?

To be honest, I still wouldn't be pushing it, Rach. DD was born at 36+1 and while her lungs were fine, she still had to be in an incubator for 24 hours, then had feeding issues for the first six months. I'm only a few days ahead of you, so I know the temptation to push it, but I'm saving any ideas up for 37 weeks. Good luck when the time comes!

rach the time to start pushing it is when like me you are 41 weeks, the sweep this morning seems to have done nothing and you would rather not have another induction on the drip!!! Agggh! But good luck to you anyway, sounds as if you won't have long to wait.

Really hope it has a delayed effect, Dream and things get going asp. We've just pretty much signed a deal to move house before my EDD. That should do the trick

I'm 40.3 today and been advised that pineapples are the way to go, but could I find any ripe ones in the shops?!

And apparently you need about 8 of them to do any use! (Just got one in my shopping delivery. Think it will be safe to eat...)

I did a lot of nipple stimulation after sex for two nights and had a lot of contractions over night but didn't go in to labour, on the third night after sex I did some more nipple stim and started contracting properly. Labour took longer than my other two (probably because at 39 weeks my body was a bit surprised to find itself in labour) but it was better than staying pregnant, and it meant that the baby did not get to be as big as his brother had been. Worked for me, but I did have sex every night and I did do a lot of nipple stimulation. I was around term with my other two having done the sex thing but not bothered as much with the nipple stimulation.

Thanks TimeyWimey the sweep hasn't worked yet though had mild period pains last night and a show (though don't think that really indicates much). Am doubtful if anything will happen before induction date on Monday but you never know. Hope you didn't make yourself ill on pineapples!

A show is good in my eyes. it was my first sign of labour and DD was born the next day. You've got time to beat the system!

Evening primrose oil capsules up your fanjo, po one in before bed and it will dissolve overnight, wear a pad tho!

Nipple stimulation, sex and make sure baby ius in a good position.

I gave birth at 38+5 which was lovely as not premature but didn't get bored waiting for DS to appear! (and it was a nice surprise)

I'm convinced it's because we lived on the 6th floor without a lift, so walking up the stairs gave me loads of contractions (and made me sick in the first 5 months ).

Was a lot of effort though just for an "early" birth

Well...... gave birth at 38 + 1 following all day walking around town. Went to bed at 10pm had sex and contractions started straight after, went on all night but were tailing off in the morning, got DH to take me in at 6.30 only 2cm dilated, 4 hours later only 3 cm dilated. Waters went at 15.15 baby girl in my arms at 16.04. (first baby). Who knows if it was the sex, walking, or was going to happen anyway?????

How's it going InADreamWorld ?

DD2 arrived yesterday morning after a short labour of only around 4 hrs - only just got to hospital in time - I think it was the membrane sweep that did it.

cod liver oil and orange is disgusting and did not work, baby arrived 2 weeks later