How to relax before induction this Friday?

[kookiegoddess]

I'm being induced at 37+4 this friday due to Cholestasis and am getting quite anxious that it's going to be hideously painful/cervix not ripe at all etc. Tried to have sex last night after months of no action and it just didn't work at all , neither me nor hubby are up for it even tho we know it will help. Am going to buy some evening primrose oil today.

Just wonder if anyone recommends anything in the form of massage, meditation, hypnotherapy, reflexology that I can book this week (I'm in London) to help me relax mentally. Have done loads of preparation/reading but just need a bit of pampering and TLC to get me ready! thanks.

Kookie - I'm afraid I don't have any miracle advice for you, but I didn't want you to go unanswered.

TBH a manicure, pedicure and a trip to the hairdresser are always a Good Thing, I'll be a while before you can do it again.

Ooooh, just remembered that my pedicurist wouldn't do the reflexology massage at my appointments when I was pregnant. Something about it possibly starting things off. It might be worth trying out.

Hope you get some useful tips soon.

Kookie, I've been wondering how you were getting on (we met on your other cholestasis thread). Sorry to hear you're feeling anxious.

Reflexology is supposed to be good to help get things started, and even if it doesn't it'll be lovely and relaxing. You could also try acupuncture. There's a place on Harley St called London Acupuncture Clinic where they specialise in fertilty - you could always give them a try: www.londonacupuncture.co.uk. They're not ridiculously expensive (as far as acupuncture goes), despite being on Harley St and some of the practitioners are very knowledgeable.

Also, the homeopathic remedy Caulophyllum 6 is supposed to help prepare the body for labour.

Are you taking raspberry leaf tea/tablets? It's supposed to make your contractions more effective.

Good luck!

Thank you! Acupuncture booked in for tmw pm, and I might try to get a reflexology appointment too. Am drinking the RL tea too and taking EPO now. Had not heard of Caulophyllum but will look into that.

Just had a friend round to go thru my hosp bag, which has put my mind at ease a bit.

Am feeling very tired but unable to sleep, grrr! prob best just to keep occupied for now...

Thanks for tips, I definitely need a trim so will book that hair appointment!

[nervous but smiles]

Hi kookiegoddess. How are you feeling? I was exactly the same as you 4 weeks ago. I had to be induced as 2 weeks overdue and I tried so o o many things to bring on the labour , but nothing worked. The best advice I can give you would be to get some rest before Friday because lots of people will be in and out of your room monitoring you and the baby etc and you wont get any peace! GOOD LUCK. X

I second the getting rest bit, as well as feeding yourself well so you have plenty of energy. I hadn't slept for days when I was induced due to hanging around in hospital ith pre eclampsia, and I wasn't allowed anything except for water once they started the drip. Bit of a shock considering I'd been eating, err, heartily all through pregnancy . Anyway, I was knackered and wished so much I could have done the whole thing after a week of 10 hour sleeps

Relaxation CD's and lots of hugs were good for pre-birth nerves too, though I didn't know I was going to be induced like you and didn't prepare with that in mind. Good luck!

Clarins mums to be massage is lovely. Had one done during each pregnancy each booked on two days notice. They offer them at hotels with clarins spas, large Dept stores and clarins salons. As you are in London you shouldn't have too much trouble getting one booked

Virgin Vie salons offer similar but it is more expensive and shorter.

You can get the natal hypnotherapy cd for birth - on their website people have listened to just a couple of times and it has helped even with induction. It comes next day so you could still get a couple of days listening out of it before friday.

i usually fall asleep every time I listen to it, but i definatley feel more chilled.

Good luck!