Does anything REALLY work to encourage labour to start?

[MyNameIsInigoMontoya]

Background - I am hoping for a VBAC after an EMCS last time round as DS was in a bad position and got stuck. He was very overdue, so it is likely DC2 will also be late; but due to the previous section I want to avoid being induced, but will probably get pressure to go for ELCS if I go very overdue. Midwife's advice is "try to go into labour naturally around 39/40 weeks" but not much advice on how to manage this

I have heard lots of theories about ways to start labour, but almost all of them usually followed by "there is no evidence this actually works" (e.g. pineapple, walking lots - which I can't easily do anyway as too achy, raspberry tea, curries,....) so just wondering whether there is anything more likely to work? - thinking things like reflexology perhaps, which I don't know much about? Thank you!

Nipple twiddling has worked for me twice, once with DD2 (on her due date) and once with DS (5 days over). I did it for well over an hour and a half though to really get things going.
Sat down with a good book on the sofa for a few hours and things started to shift soon after.
Good luck with your VBAC

Nipple stimulation definitely. Also, Ina May Gaskin uses castor oil mixed with orange juice. She reckons there is no research to suggest it causes problems.

sweep.

Acupuncture worked for me.

Ok, re the castor oil over my dead body everyone is allowed their own opinion!!

I've been doing the heel spot for about 20 mins, tweaking my you-know-whats will see if it has any effect (I'm 40+4) my ex dp is here in case anything happens so maybe I will flatten jump on him in a minute though with the predicted snow again tomorrow is this such a good idea...

Shagging. Worked for me with both my children. Within half an hour both times. Apparently sperm contains oxytocin which is what they use to induce you.
But that might be total tosh...

I know everyone says that sex is the best way to get a reluctant baby out but the thought of trying to feel foxy when resembling a very irritable stripy whale makes my heart sink.

Although possibly not as much as DH's if I suggest it.

Shagging or a sweep! Cos basically a shag at that stage is like a sweep (certainly I found it around as much fun at 42 weeks) but with added oxytocin. Afterwards lie with your bum on pillows and your legs in the air so it's all, er, retained where you need it.

Oh the glamour!

sex worked for me, our midwife said to do it and then get upside down quickly or do it upside down and dont let the sperm out it has to stay near the cervix for a while, not very comfortable but worked for me went into labour within 3 hrs. Good luck x

But all of these things only work if you are ready to go into labour anyway. So everyone who thinks x or y worked for them, if they hadn't of carried out those activities, they still probably would have started fairly soon after.

I am a firm believer in this after trying EVERYTHING and exhausting myself in the process.

Save yourself the bother and eat cake I say.