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Pregnancy

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

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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 · 11/11/2011 10:04

sex it is then!!! Maybe should plan something for tonight ;)

OP posts:

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 11/11/2011 13:05

38 weeks yesterday - sex last night for first time in weeks

BH kept me awake all night. Not doing that again!

rexie · 11/11/2011 13:28

Acupuncture. Had a session at 11am, went home and rested as advised and waters broke at 2pm. Excellent! Also a very relaxing way to start labour.

Astronaut79 · 11/11/2011 17:18

Dyed my hair. That's what finally did it.

Dyed hair at 2pm yesterday, had mild contractions by 830. Couldn't ignore contractions by 1130 so phoned mum to babysit and took off for hospital after midnight. Arrived at hospital at 1, baby (DD, incidentally) out by 2!

So not only does hairdye work, it works fast!

Janilusu · 12/11/2011 02:40

My DD was born 41 + 1 (and as she was an icsi baby, we knew practically to the minute when she was conceived). I was so frustrated, I was so naively sure that she'd arrive on due date. :) First pregnancy and all that... So at 40 + 1 I started taking (orally!!) evening primrose capsules and bounced on the ball for a total of around 5 hours every day.

But what I think kicked it off was aromatherapy baths and reflexology. At 40 + 5 I had a reflexology session and every morning and night had a bath with lavender and geranium oils. Whether the oils relaxed me or what, I don't know. But when I got up on the Sunday morning (40 + 6), the bump had dropped dramatically. I could have fit two hands into the space between my boobs and the bump.

I made a good hot curry that night and woke at 3.15am with labour pains. She didn't make an appearance for another 33 hours but at least things were moving... :)

The curry was incidental, I'm sure as bump had dropped but I'd suggest being very generous with the lavender and geranium oils (steer clear of clary sage though until labour actually starts) and chill out.

saphine · 03/12/2011 23:29

I believe acupressure worked for me for both DS (41+7) and DD (39+5).

I came across a link given to us by our NCT teacher about pressure points to use during labour to help speed it up and relieve pain, etc. For DS I was due to have a sweep at 41+7, so at 8pm the night before I tried one particular pressure point which was supposed to help dilate the cervix during labour. Probably a bit reckless of me, but at midnight my waters broke and I went into full blown labour. When the midwife came at 3.30 I was 9cm dilated and DS was born not long after. 3 days before my due date with DD, I decided to try the pressure point again - same thing happened, a few hours later I went into full blown labour and was 9cm dilated after only 1.5 hours and DD arrived an hour later.

Given that reflexologists have to avoid certain areas of the feet during pregnancy, I personally believe that pressure points work. Obviously I would never have attempted it unless I was over/close to my due date. I also know friends who have had reflexology and acupuncture when overdue and labour has started very soon after. But I guess we'll never know whether it was purely coincidence!

IHeartKingThistle · 03/12/2011 23:32

I was 4 days overdue when I went out with DH to watch him get an award. 4 hours after the glass of champagne my waters broke!

MrsRhettButler · 03/12/2011 23:38

Heavy lifting worked instantaneously for me! (by 'heavy' I mean lifting 6yo dd from her bunk bed and running into the bathroom still carrying her as she was being sick at 3am) my water broke right away and dd2 was born 8 hours later.
(dd1 is not a light 6yo either, she wears size 8/9)

Cjhyatt91 · 25/09/2014 21:32

We'll av had castor oil with my first two and it worked fab! Now am on my third at 38 weeks nothing has worked pineapples, castor oil curry and sex nipple stimulation the lot. Totally agree when baby's ready it'll happen but 98% of women try because it's not selfish at all it's hard carrying 40 weeks and very painfull at the end :-)

MrsPatMustard · 28/09/2014 09:54

Walked. Then walked some more. It worked though...head engaged and waters broke 24 hours later

CherryLips1980 · 28/09/2014 12:15

Went to hospital to be induced. DD decided not to wait.

PenguinsIsSleepDeprived · 28/09/2014 12:46

Waited! Sorry but nothing else does much. I feel your pain though- late all three times.

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