natural induction???? please help!!!!

[8simone8]

i'm 40 w and 5 days, with my first pregnancy. if im not 4 cm's dilated within the next 5 days, i have to be medically induced, which means losing the waterbirth in the lovely birthing suite i had planned, and instead going to a different hospital and having to give birth in a labour ward with another women in the same room with only a curtain for privacy. i've tried castor oil, lots of toilet time and nausea but no action, and clary sage. can anyone else think of anything to get the ball rolling? please!!!!

Hiya, I'm only 37 weeks but I'll be trying all of these soon!
Spicy food (indian, mexican or cajun)
Sex (semen has good labour inducing stuff in it)
Orgasm
Nipple stimulation
Excercise, walking, dancing etc. Gravity helps.
Supposedly eating a lot of pineapple. (YUK) I'll not be doing that one.
There are also acupressure points which can be stimulated (I'm sure a good search on google will show you exactly what points.
Good luck!

Most of all relax! Don't worry about the deadline of 5 days. Just visualise your baby coming out before then.

i'm 36 weeks and have just started taking evening primose capsules, 500mg 2 x a day, you can take 3=4 a day from 36 weeks onwards. I don't know if it needs to build up though, you may be too late, it's to soften the cervix.

How about an orgasm or two?

try this
this might work

Raspberry leaf tea?

get someone to get you the ina may gaskin book in the shops at the moment. loads of suggestions. orgasm if you can manage it should get things moving post haste. worked for me last time i was in labour within day of sex and orgasm.

also more hippy dippy but worked for my sis, ask the baby to come. nicely.

reflexology

hi there

you absolutely do not have to be induced unless there are compelling medical reasons

you are not really late until 42 weeks

you can ask for expectant management, which is more scans and CTGs to try to make sure baby is happy in there, until labour starts

all these things work IF you are ready to go into labour

you do not have to have an induction at term + 10 simply for being post dates

so hard to resist that kind of pressure though lulu isn't it? this is where i start to get very political about the medical model.

i hear ya , sophable!

was discussing this recently, there is a sweep clinic now at the hospital, you have your sweep around 41 weeks, and are booked in for your induction the follwing week.. women don;'t realise they can refuse.

exactly lulumama! Many women say oh midwife/consultant says I HAVE to be induced, err no it is your body/baby your choice!

We were discussing how to get things moving at my last antenatal class last week, and our teacher confirmed what others have said - you can refuse to be induced, and they have to listen to you as long as there aren't any problems with the baby. The important thing is to be clear about why you don't want to be induced so make sure you can explain that clearly - write notes if necessary. They generally will respect your wishes if you can show that you have considered the options and have good reason for not wanting to be induced (totally with you on not wanting that btw!)

On the subject of what to do to start things off ... Yes, there is great stuff in semen for getting things going - prostaglandin, or something like that. If you can't manage penetrative sex though, then an orgasm from other stimulation is just as effective as an orgasm from sex, you just don't have the semen as well. I suppose technically, the semen could be introduced into your vagina by any method if your partner was up for er ... performing in a bottle or something! The tricky bit would be making sure it reached your cervix. Headstands?

I asked my midwife about raspberry leaf this week, and she said it works and that the tea is more effective than the capsules/pills.

Hang in there and don't be bullied!

try rasberry leaf tea and long walks, only let them induce you if there's a medical reason to do it BUT if there is, keep in mind that the most important thing is a healthy baby, not how or where it is delivered, and if you manage that you are a star, however it happens

ACCUPUNCTURE I, and two of my friends, went into labour less than 24 hours after having accupuncture! Not to mention i had a (in reflection) good labour for a first timer

1st stage 6 hrs 25 mins
2nd stage 33 mins.

My accupuncturist said he can't be SURE that the accupuncture helps with labour, but says everyone who comes back to him seems to have had a well progressing labour.

ps, i was in the same boat- i was at risk of loosing my birthing centre water birth. i got it in the end!

Good luck!!!!!

Hello, I tried all of the above/below; drinking pints of raspberry leaf tea (can't even stand to see the box in a health food shop now) pineapple, vindaloo's sex ... everything apart from acupuncture and it didn't work.

I was desparate for the natural waterbirth too but I was induced in the end.

The point I want to make is do your research and stay in control. Because I was so focused on the natural birth I wasn't prepared for my induction and things escalated way out of control and things happened that needn't have.

Nothing will make that baby come if it's not ready to. Spend this time doing your research for all birthing possibilities and ensure your birth partner understands your wishes and is assertive to stick up for when you may not be able to.

Good luck xxx