Any tips to get things moving?

[gingerbabe]

Hi

Am 41+ weeks and have my induction date booked for the weekend. However, I was induced with my first dd and although it was an okay labour, I'd really like to go into labour on my own. Tomorrow I have my sweep so maybe that will get things going, but just in case it doesn't I was wondering if anyone has any tips on things that have worked for them to get things moving along.

Have tried the following without any success so far: raspberry leaf tea, pineapple, hot spicy food, nipple stimulation and reflexology. Any other suggestions?

Sex. Make sure (and sorry if this is a bit graphic) you lie with your legs up for a while after, as the semen contains prostaglandin which will help soften the cervix. Worked for me! It's probably the last thing you feel like at the moment though! Good luck with your last few days and look forward to hearing your birth news!

Walk as far as you can. Make sure you have a mobile with you so u can get picked up, but pick a place and walk girl. (Don't know if this works but midwife told me to do that)

Eat licorice - not sure how scientific this is but eating it can't hurt. Also I went swimming and did my usual lengths but tried to do them as fast as possible. Next day I went into labour.

Day before I went into labour went for a long walk and had a curry. See you've done that but have another....

One thing that has worked for me - (and 3 of my friends with success), is to either a) invite some friends over for a takeway, night out, party etc or b) get yourself invited for dinner, takeaway etc. Look forward to the said event. Guaranteed you won't be able to attend the event as you'll be in labour

Hot bath and a glass of wine.

Worked for me and two of my friends.

Public transport worked for me too. I crossed London by tube on a really hot day, came back (on tube again) and went into labour. That was about ten days before I was due though - I'm pretty certain I wouldn't have wanted to risk having a baby on a tube if it had been nearer my due date. So probably not much help to you, I 'm afraid.

Acupuncture has a good reputation. The british acupuncture council should be able to give you details of acupuncturists in your area - although I appreciate you may not feel like ringing round people. Whereabouts are you?

I found getting my hair cut and then coming home in urgent need of dyeing the revealed grey worked.

Acupuncture has a good reputation. The british acupuncture council should be able to give you details of acupuncturists in your area - although I appreciate you may not feel like ringing round people. Whereabouts are you?

I found getting my hair cut and then coming home in urgent need of dyeing the revealed grey worked.

Fresh pineapple and running after a 21 month old did the trick for me!!

two sessions of acupuncture (am and pm) worked for me - if you live in london I can give you her details - brilliant and will always fit in mothers to be in need!

just realised i won't be logging back on today to see so on the off chance - name is Christine Hall based in Wandsworth Town.

I think I might be told off if I said castor oil! (whispers very quietly but it worked wonders for me)!

I was told that holding a newborn baby can set your labour off - didn't work for me though, I'm afraid.

Thomcat I'm with you. All mine have been very late and it has worked well for me but as i have mentioned elsewhere it can have adverse reactions...

Sex, Sex, Sex it worked for me (one of the last times I had it too.....) Doggie style (unless it is called something else in "Brit Talk".

Visiting the labour ward in the evening for a "look around" at local hospital with NCT antenatal group, then very large pizza at 1 am set me off nicely exactly one week early!

try clary sage essential oil rubbed into your bump - had me off like a rocket!

Has anyone tried taking Evening Primrose? I heard that 3 tablets a day is quite effective. I was thinking of trying it so would appreciate any feedback before splashing out on yet more pills to go dusty on the bathroom shelf

Also, and I know that this is not going to go down well, if you pardon the expression, but according to John Lamont an OB in America "prostaglandins are absorbed 10X more efficiently through the gut than through the vaginal mucosa, with respect to semen and labour onset".

Oh how DH's face lit up...yeah right!!

Caullophyllum 200 - works well if you are ready ! So does reflexology. A MW recently told me that when she does a sweep she often knows whether the mum had reflexology or not as her cervix was riper.... and it's great to have a foot massage

And to respond to someone's comment on looking at a newborn... breastfeeding a newborn.... that get's your hormones going... or nipple stimulation works too but it has to be for more than 5 minutes !

pupuce, I read that nipple stimulation has to be for a least a solid hour...

Oh well best send DD to my mums for a weekend

Sex and then later falling over in the middle of my local park whilst running after my ds got things started for me. Although I don't recommend the latter it was very painful and embarrasing.