Tips to bring on labour - what worked for you?

[trix1]

Did sex work for anyone? if so how long before labour started? Any other tips welcomed?

well i resorted to sex with all 3 of mine and each one started within 12 hrs after that. the first one had had 77 steps up a steep hill in bristol first mind!

i've also given myself a sweep possibly each time but certainly with 2 and 3, it's amazing where you reach with enough intention!

and the final thing i've used, with less success for starting labour but plenty for putting me in a good space - physical, mental and to some degree emotional - to labour was cranial osteopathy.

good luck, it's such a blast!

But none of these things would have worked if your body wasn't ready, honestly. I did ALL of these things and it still took gel, my waters being broken and a drip to get my labour started at 42 weeks so I really wish I hadn't bothered with all the effort and just put my feet up with a box of chocolates instead. By the time I did actually go into labour I was bloody exhausted .

I tried sex and it gave me loads of uncomfortable cramps but no labour. Not worth the hassle if you dont feel up to it. I'm with twofalls, be patient (I know its hard when you feel so uncomfortable), relax and enjoy this time as you'll never get a chance to stop afterwards. LO will come when their ready.

Sex is definetely the trigger for labour! If you think that the drug they wuold give you in hospital to induce labour is pig sperm based, then surely your own partner's ''fluids'' will do an even better job!

I also had labour start by having a reflexology session with a Reflexologist who specialised in pregnant women. Had a huge contraction during the session!!!

Good luck!

Try marching around the living room singing the grand old duke of york! It worked for me at 39 weeks.

sitting on my birthing ball infront of corrie, using my breastpump to 'express' stuff out my boobs, within 4 hrs was in labour... 4 hr birth, no tearing or drugs, can't wait for the next!!!!!!!!

Reflexology worked for me with 2nd child. I had two sessions then he came the next day, 12 days late. Could of course been a coincidence and that it just helped me relax, but the foot massage was heaven at the very least! Daughter before that was 15 days late and induced - nothing worked with her!

sex worked for me at 37 weeks did at night and early morning around six two hrs later was in labour gave birth the following day 8'oclock in the morning. intense pain started around eight in the evening though.

Well good luck!!!!!!

Ate a whole pineapple, it has to be fresh. Went into labour that night. Five years later I still cant look at a pineapple without feeling sick

I am off to see the Eurofighter! Hopefully the noise and vibrations will get things going.

Tried a whole lot of sex, 2 pineapples in 3 days, long walks (even in the rain), curry every day for lunch and dinner (and even breakfast once) for over a week and raspberry leaf tea and still went 2 weeks over followed by 3 days of labour and an emergency c-section! completely worth it. I have a gorgeous 3 month baby daughter.

Discovered that I really am not fond of pineapple.
Curry didnt work
Sex was the last thing I felt like
Midwife doing a thorough rummage and "pulling the cevix round" did the trick. Felt like one of those cows in a vetinary programme but was glad not to have another induced labour

Reflexology at 42 weeks, the day before I was going to be induced.. seemed to be the only thing to start it! Good Luck

I had a sweep from a 6 foot 4 male midwifery student with hands like shovels!

Very effective.

I tried everything as my seventh child was nearly a month overdue! I refused to be induced, as I believe it could cause problems and she came eventually at a month late!
I think babies should just be left to come when the are good and ready.

first one went for a long walk and jumped up and down screaming you can 'bleep bleep' come out now...went into labour that night (10 days early).
second one i walked round with a piece of newborns clothing for a day, and went into labour late that evening. midwife told me it would stimulate the right hormones or something (6 days early)
patience wasn't my strong point at the time!!!

Sweep
Pineapple - lots
resepberry leaf tea
curry
sex
walking - lots
Nothing worked. Was induced with my lst dd after i was 12 days overdue.
Was induced with my 2dd after 10 days.
After 1st induction really wanted to wait and do it all naturally with 2nd, u know the staying at home as long as poss etc but a week after i was due i was begging for another induction!! Couldn't bear it any longer, couldn't even sit on the sofa comfortably.

Going in for my induction....had to stay overnight on the ward till they had a space for me in the labour suite - waters broke at midnight!

Cleaned the house all day long! (through necessity after decoraters had finished) Had very quick 4 hour labour a day early!

Christmas shopping worked for me- maybe a little early at the mo though

I had my first child spontaneously at 37 weeks, at 38 with my second i was running to the loo but constipated when i got there (TMI!!!!) I decided to take some castor oil to clear me out knowing it may help shift baba too, took about 3 oz around 3pm, had the tom tits about 7pm, followed by plenty of fluids (and a chinese takeaway!!), started having some braxton hicks, then at 9 pm my waters broke.

Got more and more bh until by about 12 midnight when they were definite contractions but still very manageable. My daughter was born at 2.40am in the pool.

Currently 38 weeks with number 3 and def will try the castor oil smoothies again. Helped me feel 'cleared out' for delivery. Nothing worse than a full bowel in second stage IMO!!!

had a curry fri night and in labour from sat to monday (those nice midwives recorded it as an 8 hour birth - ha ha ha - ops just tore my stitches).

I'm 39+5 today and I've just woken up to a whole pineapple. My tongue is seriously tingling now! I'll get back to you as to whether it works or not!

Incidentally, if so many pineapples are needed before there's enough chemicals to actually work, would drinking pineapple juice work better maybe?

I had castor oil with my first and it worked withn 2 hours but it wasnt pleasant. I had a sweep with my second but that didnt work and in the end I was induced at 41 weeks. I know how hard it is the waiting isendless and you are really uncomfortabe at this stage. It wont be long i promise - and all the very best of luck xxx