Third trimester .. when should I start doing these things?

[lizzyttc2017]

Hello ladies,

Im currently 28+2 so just starting my third trimester. I don't want to do anything that might induce labour too soon (before 37 weeks) but I want to get organised for this coming trimester and know when the best time to start doing things like.. perineal massage, bouncing on birthing ball, drinking raspberry leaf tea, pack my hospital bag?

Thanks in advance!

None of those things will bring on labour. You crack on whenever you can bothered. The tea is supposed to make labour easier (it doesn't) but perhaps avoid that til you're 37+. Everything else is up to you. I didn't pack a bag til 40 weeks with #1, 38 with #2 and 39 with #3.

Ime not a damn thing brought on labour except time (and in one case gel!).

Birthing ball gets baby into a good position and encourages them to engage. You can do that now.

Perineal massage won't bring in labour, so I guess if it's going to work you should start at early as possible. (A bit like bio oil on your tummy!)

Raspberry leaf tea/tablets are supposed to soften the cervix not bring in labour. Unfortunately didn't work for me and I overdosed I would probably wait until 35 weeks for that, I think my MW recommended I try it from 37 weeks.

38 weeks? Never massaged my perineum. Drank lots of raspberry tea in sheer desperation at around week 39 with dd (second baby). Swore I would never be in the same postcode as a birthing ball after ds's birth but had a go at around 38 weeks with dd, again in desperation! Had my bag packed from around 35 weeks with both babies.

I'm 29 weeks and think I might start doing the perineal massage soon as I genuinely think it helped last time. Raspberry leaf tea did fuck all, along with the 50 million sweeps I had last time so won't be bothering again. Never tried a birthing ball, not sure i could be bothered. Might think about getting a bag around 35 weeks. A bit vague, sorry!