Tips for bringing on labour?

[TheCornishGoodLife]

Hi all,
I am 39 weeks and very keen to get this baby out! Does anyone have any tips that worked for them?
I’ve been having dates, raspberry leaf tea, walking, pineapple, relaxing, sex etc and still no sign.
Im going to have a sweep (I had the coil once and was genuinely quite traumatised by the level of pain when they just told me it would just be ‘uncomfortable’. So I trust no one now haha)
I wish I knew how close I was. I don’t feel much pressure down low, but it’s my first baby and she’s measuring small so that’s likely why. Although I have been feeling a bit odd, nauseous, sudden overwhelming whole-body exhaustion, dull lower back pain and the occasional cramps and twinges.
Suggestions would be so much appreciated! Thanks so much!!

I meant I’m not going to have a sweep haha, not I am!

There's not a lot of evidence that any of that triggers labour unfortunately. There's a little evidence that nipple stimulation will trigger labour but not particularly conclusive.

When I had my first I had no signs of labour ahead of going into labour and when I did it was less than a day between niggle and baby in my arms. At 38+5 I briefly had a sharp pain when I put my desk in the loft having finished work. After this my bump was quite squidgy I did some nipple stimulation when I got into bed and my waters went 20 minutes later but I think this was either a coincidence or my body was already there and it just nudged it over the line and I was about to go into labour soon anyway. I never felt baby drop down and had feet in my ribs throughout labour

With my second contractions started at 33 weeks, I had a couple of swabs to test for preterm labour as they were at times regular (2 in 10 minutes and 20-30 seconds long) but these were negative so I was told I had an irritated uterus and that was causing the contractions. I needed inducing and had a sweep at 36+6 weeks and was induced the next day. The sweep had made the contractions I'd been having for the last month go to regular and if I didn't need a quick induction I think I probably would have gone into labour if given more time as I think my body was primed and ready for labour. There were several times between 33 and 37 weeks where it really felt like I could be on the edge of going into labour. I certainly was hoping for it as my body had had enough of pregnancy and the hormones were making me very unwell

Sorry to say they I tried literally everything anyone has ever suggested and all that happened is I had false contractions for weeks.

Dd1 and dd2 both 40weeks plus 1

dd3 40 weeks plus 2

curb walking, and pumping got my contractions started consistently and I’d get all hopeful - but they always fizzled out

I took every sweep offered which seemed to finally help things progress

Hot bath - as hot as you can tolerate. This seemed to work for me.

Sex, good sex though. You need to orgasm, multiple times.
But really at 39 weeks, the baby will come when its ready.

The myth that lives on in my family is to eat a very hot curry, like a Madras. I had a ceasarean so have no personal experience.

For both of mine it was stewed dried apricots! My DM was staying with us the first time and I went into labour within a couple of hours.

We tried it the second time just as a joke really, but I went into labour a few hours later again.

It is probably coincidence as I was on my due date both times but who knows!

I had reflexology the day I went into labour both times. However it was at 41 weeks plus both times and a last ditch attempt to avoid induction so my body was probably ready.

The day I went into labour I had been for a steep walk even clambering over stiles! But I was 41w already and doing pumping for nipple stimulation, had 3 X sweeps, massage...I think baby was just ready to come out by then. I'm sure it won't be long now, good luck! I know the waiting is torture but you'll soon forget all about this stage once baby arrives.

Thank you so much for all your amazing tips! I will try the ones I haven’t yet tried - fingers crossed something works! I think I’m just becoming anxious about timing and Christmas Day, but I need to try and chill and accept that it’ll happen when it does. It’s a weird limbo, but I’ll keep myself distracted if I can 😅 thank you so much!

Morning, I'm 39+4 so in a similar position, also don't want a sweep, I said I'll consider it at 41 weeks when they said about it at my last appointment. No advice to add but good luck with everything!

Thank you :) wishing you so much luck as well - hopefully you’re not waiting too much longer!

I've tried it all and nothing worked for me 1st time round. I had two sweeps with first 40 weeks and 41 weeks and I went into labour about 24 hours after the second one but I'm not convinced it did much.

I do think the sweeps worked with my second though (waited until 41 weeks this time because I think I just have long pregnancies and 40 weeks felt to early). My sweep at 41 weeks had immediate affect basically and sent me into early labour for 3 days which was on and off, then had another sweep at my induction assessment/appointment and I went into proper labour driving home from the appointment, thankfully the contractions were manageable until I got home but after about an hour I was having to stop what I was doing with every one.

My mum also said that sweeps worked for her every time as well. Part of me wonders if some women more receptive to them than others because there's lots of mixed experiences with them, and I feel like a sweep probably only saves you a couple of days anyway!

Respect that you said you don't want a sweep, I declined one with second baby until 41 weeks but thought I would share as it's the only thing I felt worked for me.