Bringing on labour - any experiences?

[Chris2315]

I'm 36 weeks pregnant with my 2nd baby and i'm really hoping to be able to induce labour soon (37 weeks) - not because i'm impatient, because I really want to avoid a c section!

I had a growth scan with my first baby at 36 weeks because I was measuring under, and they found he was actually measuring just under 40 weeks and was already estimated to weigh 7lb 8oz 😳 anyway I went into labour naturally at 39+3, and was in labour for nearly 3 whole days - but I stopped dilating at 8cm and baby's head was stuck in my pelvis and was getting distressed, so I was rushed for an emergency c section. He weighed a chunky 9lb 4oz 😊

I'm 36 weeks today and I'm under the consultant again due to my previous c section, and my bump has been measuring 3-4 weeks over since my midwife started measuring. I had a growth scan today again and his measurements are slightly bigger than on my first, and is estimated to weigh 7lb 9oz already 🙈 my consultant advised that I book an elective c section at 39 weeks, which I did. However she said if I go into labour any sooner I can at least try a vaginal delivery which I'd love!

So I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips or experiences of bringing on labour themselves, and what worked for you? I'm already planning a Vindaloo curry 😄

My midwife told me sex should do it. Apparently there is a chemical in sperm which aggravates the cervix and starts labour. But she never said how much sperm is needed 😂

I bounced on my birthing ball for an hour while twiddling my nipples (sorry tmi!) as it's supposed to release oxytocin which contracts the uterus. Less than 12 hours later, my waters broke :) good luck!

The prostaglandins in semen can help to ripen the cervix, so plenty of sex is a good idea. I think it’s a bit of a myth about curries.
If you have a narrow pelvis and good sized baby, you may well need another C section, so don’t set your heart on a vaginal delivery, OP. Good luck, anyway - I hope it all goes well.

Thanks everyone 😊 they didn't mention anything about my pelvis, I really think that if my labour starts before he gets to around the 9lb mark I may have a chance

Has anyone tried raspberry leaf capsules? I've read a lot about them and I'm thinking of trying them 😊

Raddox muscle soak.

I sent dh to boots to go get me some clary sage oil, there wasn't any but he found the raddox and it contains clary sage.

I used half the bottle 🙈 the bubble were touching the ceiling but I didn't care. I got in massaged the bubbles into my bump and went into labour 3 hrs later.

Having a sweep worked for me. Went into labour the same day, with both children. Second child contractions started about 20 minutes after sweep. Not really something that can be done at home though.

Thanks both 😊 I'll definitely try a Radox bath I think! I'd love a sweep but I don't think my midwife will do It 😟

I went into labour suddenly with my first at 37 weeks.
I was due days before x-mas and so to be prepared i decided to do all my xmas shopping in one day and went out and was on my feet for about 6/7 hours walking from shop to shop etc. I was exhausted when i got home and at 7 o'clock the next morning my waters broke so i feel it was being on my feet all day that brought it on!
Not suggesting you go on an 8 hour shopping spree lol, but perhaps alot of walking may help :)

I think they’re all a ginormous myth. You’ll only go into labour when your body is absolutely ready to. I was told if I went into labour before my ELCS they would give me an emergency cs.

I tried every ‘labour inducer’ bar castor oil and none worked. I made my tongue bleed eating too much bloody pineapple and it didn’t work.

I am certain fresh pineapple worked for me outpinked
I was getting desperate, but DD was finally born at 40+12 after an awful lot of pineapple!

Apparently it's the woody heart of the pineapple that is the good bit, but obvs it's not exactly tasty, I blended it into smoothies!

I had accupuncture, but I was 8 days overdue by then so they may not do it for you. Otherwise I took long walks and bounced on my ball, drank raspberry leaf tea, eventually went into labor the day before my induction date at 40+10!

I hadn't heard that before - I love the woody centre so maybe that's what did the trick!

I tried nipple stimulation with my last pregnancy. I was 39 weeks. Just pulled them a bit like manually expressing for half an hour or so before giving up,this was about 9pm. Went off to sleep but woke up at 11pm to my waters popping spectacularly! Will try it this time nearer the time!

Thanks all :) will definitely try everything suggested! I've also heard Clary Sage can be good - has anyone tried that?

I know people say it's a myth but sex worked for me two out of two times. Went into spontaneous labour at 36 and 39 weeks (not meaning to try and bring labour on, I might add...)

Acupuncture worked for me, I was 40+3 and had tried everything else - Swiss ball, sex, evening primrose, raspberry leaf but none of it worked. Day after acupuncture, labour started

The only thing that worked for me was scheduling an induction once I hit 42 weeks, at which point the baby decided that it might as well turn up anyway!

There's some evidence that nipple stimulation can help sometimes: evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-using-breast-stimulation-to-naturally-induce-labor/

I used clary sage with my first, massaged it in, bathed in it and used it in a oil burner.... I swear it started my labour... my labour was slow due to back to back so not sure it helped but dd was born on her expected date. Smelt lovely though!

Just found I am pregnant with 2nd so will be using it again if I get uncomfortable and impatient

Nothing will start labour if baby isn't ready..

I had a jalfrezi at 39+5, 4 hours later labour started..

My 1st was an emergency Caesarian after 25 hours. I took raspberry leaf capsuls from 36weeks. I stimulated my nipples, until I was as aroused as I could get at about 10pm. I went to sleep and my waters broke at 2am, my baby can very suddenly after a 2 hour labour and was born safe and sound on the kitchen floor!

They used to say go for a bumpy car ride. Or drink gin (so you no longer care).
But I don't think either would be approved now.

I was told sex would do the trick but that you have to do it a few times...we managed night and the next morning and my waters broke that evening...but who can say whether they would have broken anyway? Worth a go!

Soft play! I followed my toddler around the soft play while in labour with no 2 (convinced squeezing through the tunnels and climbing brought it on!)

Labour-inducing acupuncture.

I would strongly advise against castor oil, you'll likely come across it as a suggestion when searching online.

I regrettably did this and the results weren't very nice