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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

What can i try to get labour going?

78 replies

Gem1355 · 16/03/2005 12:20

I'm nearly 38 weeks and so fed up can't sleep because of really bad heartburn but can't sleep when it's light, as DR said will go away when babys born so what can i do to get it going?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

fastasleep · 16/03/2005 12:21

I've heard of.... sex helping, especially if he 'finishes' eating pineapple and drinking the juice, raspberry leaf tea, hot curries (not good for the heartburn though)...can't think of anything else atm..good luck!

Original poster

Gem1355 · 16/03/2005 12:22

Unfortunatly have no one to have sex with so thats out!

OP posts:

fastasleep · 16/03/2005 12:24

I'd try the tea.... lots of people swear by it!

helsi · 16/03/2005 12:24

long walks, curries - do you really want bubba to come 2 weeks early though?

Original poster

Gem1355 · 16/03/2005 12:27

Yes, just fed up! I know will get more sleep when babys here than i do now!

OP posts:

fastasleep · 16/03/2005 12:28

Helsi does have a point, mine came at 38 weeks because I had to be induced... he was tiny and jaundiced and could have done with being overdue in my opinion....but if it's driving you up the wall and your baby looks nice and big then it's up to you...

thedame71 · 16/03/2005 12:30

Don't count on getting more sleep!!!!

Try nipple stimulation, fresh pineapple, clary sage aromotherapy oil, long brisk walks but at the end of the day none of it works if baby isn't ready.

I should know - 9 days over and I have tried the lot!!! Being induced tomorrow!

Good luck and I hope you don't go late xxx

Original poster

Gem1355 · 16/03/2005 12:30

Well Dr said i've got a nice healty baby and nice size and weight, just fed up!

Need to sleep!!!

OP posts:

norash40 · 16/03/2005 13:02

Hey Gem did you try sitting up last night like you said you would?

bonym · 16/03/2005 13:28

Gem - all these things are worth trying but none will work if the baby's just not ready. I'm almost 39 weeks and can sympathise - I woke up every hour last night and had get up to go to the loo each time! Try to get a sleep during the day if you can - was it you I was chatting to a previous thread about the hypnosis CD's?. If it was, try going to bed and playing the CD - I do this every day and always end up falling asleep! (Sorry if it wasns't you - brain's not great at the moment!)

I know it's frustrating and at this stage we all feel that we just want the baby to come, but honestly it won't be long now - just try to hang on in there. Don't want to depress you but you probably won't get much sleep after the baby's born either

norash40 · 16/03/2005 13:44

I agree with bonym. I have about 13 days to go and i'm just trying to get the rest whenever I can.

I have tried almost all the methods of 'induction', even danced on ps2 dance mats for nearly two hours last weekend (nothing happened).

I have now resigned myself to waiting for nature to take its course. I just hope things happen soon.

ZoeC · 16/03/2005 18:14

You might be better trying to treat the symptom as you'll probably have more immediate success - I get heartburn and just drink lots of milk. I know others swear by gaviscon. Worth a try perhaps?

If it helps at all, my heartburn is better now that baby has engaged (I'm almost 40 weeks though).

bakedpotato · 16/03/2005 18:19

book a reflexology session. i had sessions booked on both days i went into labour
also, booking a haircut has similar effect on some people

Merlin · 16/03/2005 18:20

Norash40 - impressed with the dancing mats!!! I struggle to walk round the shops for half an hour at the mo (about 3 and a bit weeks to go).

Gem - I remember from the April thread you don't like milk and Gaviscon do you? Don't really know what else you can do to help the heartburn. Second what others have said though about babe coming too early. My DS1 (now 4) was 3 weeks early and couldn't feed properly so had a feeding tube for a week and wouldn't really latch on to me properly so was a bit upsetting. I know you just want to feel more comfortable but believe me you certainly wont get anymore sleep - sorry to disappoint you!!!!!

Merlin · 16/03/2005 18:21

OMG bakedpotato I had my hair cut yesterday!

ZoeC · 16/03/2005 18:21

Sorry Gem - useless suggestion then. Hadn't read your other post

bakedpotato · 16/03/2005 19:05

merlin, sorry, i garbled that message.
i meant that i booked reflexology sessions, but DH had to cancel them from the labour ward...
sod curries, pineapple etc, arrange yours now

Original poster

Gem1355 · 16/03/2005 19:44

Tried sitting up last nite, even had the window wide open because was so hot with it, but still couldn't sleep.

Would love to try reflexology but can't really afford it!

I've had a hot curry tonight, walked everywhere today, think i should try the dance mat!!!
Should be funny

OP posts:

ionesmum · 16/03/2005 20:34

Natural yoghurt helped me with heartburn.

You can safely use lavender oil now which may help you to sleep. You can add a few drops to your bath or vapourise it in your room, or put a drop on your pillow. A good quality one is available from the Boots Botanicals range. It's not cheap but is also safe for baby from 3 mo (except in the bath) so you will get some use out of it.

To keep cool, I got a wet towel and wrapped it around my feet. You end up with a soaking wet bed but who cares if you get some sleep!

KristinaM · 16/03/2005 20:43

I tried everything suggested on mumsnet to start labour and nothing worked . Gave in and was induced at term + 13.

Got a wonderful medicine on prescription for hearburn though. Called Mucogel. Much nicer & more effective than Gaviscon

giraffeski · 16/03/2005 20:54

Message withdrawn

giraffeski · 16/03/2005 20:55

Message withdrawn

giraffeski · 16/03/2005 21:01

Message withdrawn

kasef · 17/03/2005 06:53

i tried everything with my second she had been engaged for weeks and it was terribly uncomfortable. i was told the rasberry leaf tea was just to help muscle tone (as in it helps to relax the muscles). i even tried castor oil at 39 wks and wouldn't advise anyone to try it as it didn't do anything and tasted foul. i eventually went into labour the day after i had my last appointment with the midwife, she arranged the induction day and as with the first it worked a treat , or it could have been the fact that i had just run up the hill to the hospital for the appointment due to being late after an incident with the dog.

as for heart burn i was eating packets and packets of polo's which everyone said could be the reason i didn't get it as bad this time, apparently the mint helps with heartburn tho i don't know if thats true.

feelingold · 17/03/2005 10:34

Gem - sorry can't suggest anything to induce labour as all three of my kids were overdue and i tried everything and nothing worked. As for the heartburn, i suffered with it for all three pregnancies and i found ice lollies and ice poles helped (only short term i am afraid).
Good luck.

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