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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

what did you do to bring on labour naturally?

87 replies

lightsandshapes · 08/11/2011 11:43

I am 41 + 4 and don't want to go down the hospital induction route....

what did you do to bring on labour naturally (that worked???)

Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
lightsandshapes · 08/11/2011 16:43

thank you for these replies! So far have tried (with various degreees of enthusiasm).... rasberry leaft tea, a long walk, curry, bathing in clary sage, rubbing it on my belly and popped a homeopathy pill today....

Not tried sex though (DP and me lost our libido of late - him even more than me Blush. Might have to give it a go though if I can possibly find a comfortable position!

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 08/11/2011 17:01

Why? WHY would you have sex when you don't want to when it doesn't induce labour? You just end up pissed off. Life is too short to have bad sex.

And the pineapple thing? To even get close to the amount of enzyme naturally present in the body at the time of labour you'd need to eat at least 8 pineapples, including leaves and skin in one go. You physically can't do it.

When did people start associating raspberry leaf tea with labour induction? It's a uterine tonic, supposed to make your 2nd stage more efficient. Not associated with onset of labour.

Really, I know it's a miserable time but none of it works. Have a cake and sit down. It's as likely to start things off as any of this other stuff.

RatherTMI · 08/11/2011 18:13

SOH is of course right.

However the day before my due date with my latest baby, I was informed by my stand-in childcare that they were bored with being on standby to look after my older two DCs, and their work was very busy so if I didn't pop before the weekend was over they wouldn't be able to help. So DH went to work on the Friday and I was very highly motivated to go into labour, so I resorted to Ann Summers' finest, and it worked a treat. Of course I would probably have gone into labour anyway, but if you and your DH really can't face sex, a couple of the strongest orgasms you can provide yourself can't do any harm.

Flisspaps · 08/11/2011 19:17

Seriously ladies.

If any of it worked, I wouldn't have merrily trundled along to 42+1 with DD would I? No, I'd have shagged/eaten/walked/bounced her out at 40 weeks precisely.

Any of these things suggested are simply coincidence - how many of the ladies on this thread went into premature labour because they did these things (I'm taking a guess at none)? And that's because THEY DO NOT WORK. Otherwise, we'd be told no sex in pregnancy, no curry in pregnancy, no pineapple in pregnancy, no long walks in pregnancy, no bouncing on a gym ball in pregnancy...it's not even as if eating your own weight in curry or having uncomfortable sex with a reluctant partner simply to get the baby out is enjoyable!

The people who advocate these things are trying them when they are term or term+ - so expecting to go into labour then anyway.

ShipsCat · 08/11/2011 19:27

I was halfway out of the car outside the Indian restaurant, when DT1's waters popped and went everywhere.
Obviously he didn't fancy a curry...

samwellsbutt · 08/11/2011 19:35

sex has worked every time for me but i was dedicated to the task. we did it 7 times last time and was in labour 4 hrs later. i shall be pulling out the big guns again with this one so to speak.

TheRealMBJ · 08/11/2011 19:43

Planning something really nice, far away from the hospital, coupled with jerusalem artichokes for dinner, is what did it for me at 41+1. Grin

Seriously, though whatever you did the. Isn't before is likely to gt the blame.

Relax, do whatever it is you would like to, remain active (I swear it pushes them down) and have another sweep.

TheRealMBJ · 08/11/2011 19:45

Godawful typo. did the. Isn't should read did the night

oltob · 08/11/2011 21:23

I forgot the sweep, the only time I saw a male midwife, what are the chances. Obviously emotionally blocked it.

Try the reflexology, if only to put your feet up (sorry couldn't resist).

Original poster
lightsandshapes · 09/11/2011 08:18

Shock at 7 times Samswell.... now I feel inadequate Wink.....

OP posts:
crazyhead · 09/11/2011 08:40

Sorry to hijack but did all of you experienced ladies all actually have labour symptoms in the days before you went into labour? I'm 39 plus 4 and have had absolutely nada - no show, BH, achiness, baby dropping more, nothing. Feel completely like the rest of the pregnancy, but with an increasingly massive bump.

Is this normal? Honestly, it isn't often in life you start craving low back pain and cramps....

Original poster
lightsandshapes · 09/11/2011 08:43

crazyhead - I'm the same at 41 + 5!

RatherTMI - I love your post Wink

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 09/11/2011 08:49

crazyhead, my waters just went with no warning both times. First time round I was 38 weeks, sitting on the sofa eating rice and watching a film. I chucked the rice across the room as I leapt up in shock. Second time at 37 weeks I was fast asleep and the pop woke me up. And dh as the waters seeped with great speed across the bed. No warning, nothing. Felt utterly normal up to the point it happened.

cravingcake · 09/11/2011 08:57

Although theres no proof in any of this it can help pass the time. My last 2 pregnant friends both had to be induced two weeks over their due date and both told me they did nothing but sit on the sofa resting for the last few weeks so i was determined not to be late so i stayed active, walking with my dogs as much as i could (OH actually had to walk them properly as i was a slow waddle). Plus i took raspberry leaf capsules from 37 weeks. My waters broke at 38+1 and DS arrived 3 days later (albeit induced because of infection risk).

ShowOfHands · 09/11/2011 09:08

Raspberry leaf isn't associated with labour onset. It's a uterine tonic meant to improve the efficiency of your 2nd stage. I've noticed more and more that people are lumping it in with the 'induces labour' myths.

Time will pass on its own, you just fill it with things you like doing until such a point as the baby decides to come or modern medicine gives it a shove in the right direction.

lou4791 · 09/11/2011 09:09

Castor oil.
It was a desperate measure at 41+3 with impending hospital induction.
Started contracting that night, baby born at home the following night.

crazyhead · 09/11/2011 09:15

thanks lightsandshapes and ShowOfHands, was starting to feel a little bit dispirited and as though there was something funny about my uterus ;)

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 09/11/2011 09:22

I kinda of agree that they come when they're ready and don't really believe in most of the old wives tales - and def don't want to be hvaing a curry 24hours before giving birth anyway considering it ain't just a baby that comes out!

BUT at 41+2 I went for my usual long walk (which I'd had to do daily since 37 weeks to keep SPD at bay), had sex for the first time in 10days, had reflexology (which actually I do think got things at least moving, am booking myself in for a session at 41weeks this time) and stayed up past midnight for the first time in months playing singstar with DH. Went into labour at 2:30am at 41+3

After reflexology (which even if it doesn't work is nice and relaxing and a treat you wont be able to indulge in for a long time) the therapist drew pressure points on my feet and ankles that DH used every hour that evening.

DS was 10 days over but covered in vermix and downy hair so didn't look overcooked at all so I'm holding back on the reflexology this time until I'm a week over

Yorky · 09/11/2011 09:57

Apparently dates are worth a try, hadn't heard it before but this small scale study seems to suggest positive things - at least they taste better than RLT!

largeginandtonic · 09/11/2011 10:39

Mine are mostly late.

I am bloody expert at induction technique attempts.

Nothing bloody works. I have tried homeopathy, raspberry leaf tea, sex, evening primrose oil capsules popped and placed round cervix < hard core >, clary sage, pineapples, walking/jumping/stair marching, accupuncture and the chiropract as well as a few sweeps in my time.

The only thing any of the above do is help to tip your body in to more stablished labour once it has actually started. You have to be ready anyway.

Sad but true.

Obviously this means with dc8 i have learnt my lesseon and am doing naff all to get this baby out (he is giant and am having a section waved under nose for cephalopelvic disproportion) ?

Of COURSE not. I am doing EVERYTHING because at least i feel like i am making an effort. Regular breaks for cake etc.. natch. They will be pulling him out the sunroof in 2 weeks, mark my words.

oltob · 09/11/2011 11:08

largeginandtonic - that's even on the list, tried, enjoyed but not sure it made much difference.

I think laser4 might be right, plan something special and it's bound to happen. My due date was 24th, 10 days before our first wedding anniversary. I'd been expecting her to be late and remember saying, 'oh I'd quite like to have an anniversary though' and sure enough my darling girl arrived with 2 minutes to spare. She'll be narked in years to come having to share her bd

I think SoH is right about the raspberry leaf tea - I thought that was just meant to help soften the cervix.

Good luck crazyhead & lightsandshapes - try and rest, relax, regular walk to keep baby heading in the right direction IYSWIM and I liked the good old birthing ball, mainly because my back was wrecked.

oltob · 09/11/2011 11:11

whoops, and to largeginandtonic - dc8 wishing you much luck & cake of course

largeginandtonic · 09/11/2011 11:11

I have a hair appointment booked for Thursday and have been saying over and over to the boy that he must NOT come out before i have been.

That better not mean he appears tonight Grin

BikeRunSki · 09/11/2011 11:11

I was scrubbing the floor.
I was 39 wks so not really trying to get labour going, but DS has dropped a bottle of milk.

RalphGnu · 09/11/2011 12:05

Begging Grin

The night I went into labour I cried and begged DS to come out. I'd had enough.

He did.

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