How to bring on labour

[Merrz]

I know this has probably been asked a million times but anyone got any tips that actually work? I'm 38 weeks, feeling huge and super uncomfortable and between leg cramp and heartburn I'm struggling to get much sleep. Feels like baby is really low. This is 2nd baby and dd was born at 38 weeks so really hoped this one would be here by now. Just feeling fed up

I did walking every day for about half an hour my entire third trimester and I also had productive mornings around the house cleaning from 37 weeks when mat leave started (I lay on the sofa all afternoon to make up for it!)
Then I also had sex daily, drank raspberry tea 2-3 times a day and bounced on a yoga ball watching the tv all evening 🙈
Was a lot of effort but the midwives threat of induction at 40 weeks spurred me on, 1st baby came naturally at 39 weeks 3 days so I’d hope some of all that had something to do with it! Good luck!

A nice long walk for me did the trick 😉

Get those oxytocin levels up, nipple stimulation is apparently one of the best ways to do it... Yes I have googled 😂 apparently lots of anything else are just wives tales and don't really do much 😅

Yes antenatal expressing! Leaflets available online and YouTube vids, you can also collect the colostrum in syringes if you fancy

Personally, I think it's all just when baby wants to come! When I did my NCT classes (nearly 5 years ago), she pretty much dispelled all the raspberry leaf tee, pineapple, nipple tweaking etc myths... they would work, but only in industrial quantities...! Basically, curry, pineapple etc in vast quantities is likely to give you an upset tummy, which might kick something off... but not very pleasant!
Raspberry leaf tea has to be drunk daily for weeks I think for it to actually do anything!
I think they said nipple stimulation does work... but you need to do it for up to 3 hours a day... not sure about you, but I'm too busy for that!
I think being active and walking plenty is bound to be good for you, whether it helps or not! When I started having contractions last time, my mum dragged me for several dog walks, insisting it was bound to help!

Unfortunately I don't think anything works unless the baby is really.

Dd3 was 16 days late and I tried everything. 3 sweeps did nothing either.

I was desperate for a home birth but ended up being induced.

Easier said then done but try to relax and enjoy this time. I'll be eating my words in a few months when I'm overdue with dc4 😂

I feel you. I’ve been waiting for an induction since Friday but the delivery suite is “too busy” to fit me in (even though I didn’t even want an induction they said it was necessary for baby’s and my health, raging but that’s another story).
MW have either been recommending all the old wives tales or telling me nothing helps just when baby is ready they’re ready. I’ve tried a few things but not even any twinges yet and I’m 39+4 today

@MikeWozniaksGloriousTache That's awful. Have they got any beds for you today or will they phone you when they do?

I'm dreading this in November when the NHS is stretched with flu and other things.

I hope you get a bed and your baby very soon x

Some research shows that eating 6 dates a day for several weeks can help to bring on labour promptly and also leads to shorter labours. I think the study fed the women dates daily from 36 weeks but no harm in trying now if you like them. Same with the other methods. Even if they don’t get you into labour their effects might mean the induction is easier. (That’s what I’m telling myself, anyway, as I’ve been advised I should be induced at 41 weeks and my last baby went way over that.)

No, I think if they did exist, midwives would mention them and we'd know about them. Pineapple might work, dancing doesn't, trampolining doesn't(daughter of a work colleague tried). Try the polar bear yoga pose, or sit on a birth ball to try and get baby into the right position but ultimately it's up to them. If you're 38 weeks, you could be keeping them warm for another month yet if they choose to go over sorry

I'm with you! Booked for induction at 39 but would rather go naturally. I'm 37 so trying all I can. I've been expressing colostrum for 2 weeks so that's not a quick fix! It's supposed to take 2 weeks or so to help and even then it's only supposed to soften everything. I've been doing it hoping it'll soften my cervix ready for my first sweep tomorrow. I've had a few cramps on and off which gets my hopes up, but honestly I feel like it's mostly just wind 🙃 so frustrating!! I hope things kick off for you soon!!

[quote Bennetgirl]@MikeWozniaksGloriousTache That's awful. Have they got any beds for you today or will they phone you when they do?

I'm dreading this in November when the NHS is stretched with flu and other things.

I hope you get a bed and your baby very soon x[/quote]
No luck today. The procedure is I have to call at 8am to check, I’m told not today sorry but they “will call if there is a space”. I’m so very tired of the whole shambolic process and sick of being told “I’m a priority”, however I’m thankful I’m at home rather than waiting in a ward. I hope your trust is better managed than mine. The midwives did say there is usually a busy period around the end of August / early September and think the increased Christmas lockdown has made people start early (guilty ), I just think it’s unfortunate timing but it’s really getting to me

But if anyone has any sure fire ways of inducing Labour I’ll do anything

@MikeWozniaksGloriousTache The thing is, if you went into labour they'd find space! It's just ridiculous especially given your both at risk.

🤞🏻 for you x

@Merrz you probably know this one, getting active in the bedroom. Apparently semen softens the cervix and can help start contractions.

Correct me if I’m wrong (not that I need to ask on mumsnet lol)

Thanks everyone, it's just frustrating once you get to the stage of just wanting baby here and pregnancy to be over.