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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

How to start labour?!

41 replies

YoMommasMomma · 21/02/2019 10:58

I am now 40 weeks pregnant and very anxious about becoming overdue and having to have sweeps/ an induction and so I wondered if anyone could tell me how they started their labour?

I have been going for walks and trying to stay very relaxed, but other ideas would be great.

My DH has also "helpfully" suggested sex, but I really don't feel great about my physically at the moment, so looking for other ideas.

Thank you in advance.

OP posts:
seeingdots · 21/02/2019 20:47

Wish I could help but nothing could budge my DD when I was overdue. I remember reading the only things there's any evidence for are sex and nipple stimulation.

Original poster
YoMommasMomma · 21/02/2019 21:14

My DH will be happy to hear that! Maybe worth a shot, just feeling very self conscious.

OP posts:
ToftheB · 21/02/2019 21:15

Sex really does work....

MustBeAWeasly · 21/02/2019 21:17

I went into labour at 39 weeks and the two things I swear helped. Clary sage oil in the bath and then massaged onto my belly with a carrier oil I started that at 38+4 did it every night. And sex. We did both the night my waters broke.

tattooq · 21/02/2019 21:20

If you don't fancy sex, try masturbating? It's the increased levels of oxytocin that sex brings that can start labour, same with the nipple stimulation. Have you got a Pilates ball?

RiverMeadow · 21/02/2019 21:21

Sex definitely works!!

BlueEyedBengal · 21/02/2019 21:34

I've had 6 kids and the quickest one was after a meal out , massive steak and chips followed by double chocolate fudge cake and a dollop of ice cream, bingo here he comes!

DamonSalvatoresDinner · 21/02/2019 21:44

Sex has always been our labour-starter. 3 kids, all of which arrived shortly after a roll around in the sheets.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 21/02/2019 21:46

Look, remember - the kid can’t stay in there for ever. And if you must, raspberry leaf tea is supposed to be very good.

FrozenMargarita17 · 21/02/2019 22:01

I went into labour when I was threatened with induction at 40+12. I refused it and I went in to labour on that day anyway. Not helpful but still - good luck !!

Chinks123 · 21/02/2019 22:09

Sorry but I’m my case sex brought on my labour. It was on my due date anyway so maybe she would have come naturally, but it definitely helped.

GColdtimer · 21/02/2019 23:00

For goodness sake none of these things "work". You did them and happened to go into labour. Correlation does not equal causation.

Changingweather · 21/02/2019 23:08

I had a bath. Made me feel very relaxed and that seemed to do the trick.

Probably total coincidence, but I credit the bath all the same ;)

MustBeAWeasly · 22/02/2019 07:18

Actually @twofalls my midwife told us to have sex because it's been proven to work. It's the huge release of oxytocin it gives can trigger the body to go into labour.
Same with clary sage my midwife told me not to use it before 37 weeks becuse it induces contractions.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 22/02/2019 07:25

Stress can hinder natural labour so anything that relaxes you and yes the oxytocin triggered by sex does work (hence you may be given synthetic oxytocin to move things along if labour stalls).

GColdtimer · 22/02/2019 07:34

Didn't work for me. Or anyone I know. Sex may increase your chance of going into labour by a small percentage but it doesn't "work". I wish people would stop telling mothers it does.

I tried everything possible with my first, nothing would budge her. My second I did nothing, she came easily a week early.

sausagerollsses · 22/02/2019 08:27

@twofalls just because something doesn't work for you doesn't mean it doesn't for others. Why be so negative 🤷‍♀️

My midwife told me to eat 6 dates a day from 36 weeks, I went into labour at 38+5. No idea if it was the dates 😂

GColdtimer · 22/02/2019 08:33

Because women spend so much wasted energy trying stuff that someone on the internet said "worked" when in reality it was just a coincidence.

I honestly wish I'd chilled out about it and stopped trying things that "worked". Baby will come when it's ready.

CalamityJune · 22/02/2019 08:42

Nipple stimulation, try to encourage the colostrum.

Original poster
YoMommasMomma · 22/02/2019 09:00

Thank you for all your thoughts and suggestions. We will be trying them out, as I am really keen to not be pregnant anymore! Will keep you posted!

OP posts:
CaseofEllen · 22/02/2019 09:07

@twofalls I understand what you're saying, that many of these things haven't been proven to work (although there is some evidence for sex/nipple stimulation) but as a FTM I'm actually really excited to try and kick start labour. Even if it doesn't work it gives me something to focus on in the last few frustrating weeks!

CaseofEllen · 22/02/2019 09:07

@YoMommasMomma I hope something happens for you soon! 🤞🏼

GColdtimer · 22/02/2019 09:51

Good luck! My only point was dont get too invested trying things that supposedly work and just spend some time trying to relax (as much as that is possible).

CaseofEllen · 22/02/2019 09:54

@twofalls definitely agree! Going to have high hopes and low expectations when it comes to kick starting labour!

youllhavehadyourtea · 22/02/2019 10:00

I was told by a midwife freind ( off record) to stick a tampon up inside as far as it would go. ( I used two, one to push the other one up further)

Babies arrived next day. Used this technique for 2 over due babies.

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