I'm 36 weeks Thursday of this week....I delivered my first at 36 weeks with no complications....I'm going to wait until 38 weeks to try natural induction techniques other than walking for exercise like normal....But want to have some ideas of other ways that have worked for others if needed! Any good ways to start labor? I've heard sex or nipple stimulation....any foods you've heard of that seem to help out??
I can't do the drinking the oil thing....I'm so nautious all the time without that it would never stay down...in fact, just the smell or thought would cause crisis I think! :lol:

I would be careful with trying to induce early...even just "two weeks." Even though you had a healthy baby at 36 weeks, doesn't mean this baby's lungs are ready at 38 weeks. I would encourage you to talk to your doctor/midwife about this before you start trying to induce. Although you probably won't go into labor trying "natural" ways unless the baby is ready, it's still best to not tempt problems. What's two or three more weeks pg if it means a baby that is healthy and lives?

I pray for grace for you that helps you make it these next few weeks...I had a 41 weeker, so I know how hard the wait is...but totally worth it!!

Amber

Ditto to what Amber said. I had nearly a 42 weeker, so I'm right there in that same league. I know that being pregnant is a pain though. (Quite literally for me, because of my bizarre skin condition that persisted through the last 29 weeks of pregnancy)

I did try natural things when I was desperate to have her so I wouldn't end up being induced. I had her shortly after doing one of those things, however, since she was already a week and a half overdue, she may have come out anyway. Hard to say.

I've got it covered and am in the loop with my Doc....really just looking for ideas, not advice on timing...
Like I said, not looking to down a bottle of oil, just finding some other natral alternatives to help ripen and soften the cervix, not throw myself into immediate labor.....not starting anything before the typical planned C-section dates are done around here either...which they consider to be safe timing.

Most types of natural inductions (nipple stim, sex, walking) won't do any good if you aren't ready to go into labor. Your body has to already be ready to go into labor for those things work!

(Sex worked for me... but my membranes had also been swept that morning)

As far as herbs go, I have heard rosehips (tea) help soften the cervix; that's the only thing I know of besides the things you already mentioned.

Okay, since your doc said you're good to go...

My midwife recommends:

1). Evening primrose oil. I took it for the last 4.5 weeks of pregnancy. It helps to ripen the cervix.

2) I also topically applied the oil to my cervix. I had my baby soon after but it could have been coincidence.

3) Lots of lovemaking

Nothing worked for me. I tried Chinese food (my DH figures it is the MSG in it), hot and spicy food (my hubby who loves tex mex and spice got sick of it after the second week of my putting salsa picante in everything I cooked), I tried cocount like Godzgirl said worked for her. Walking a lot, had the midwife stretch my membranes once (sent me into false labor, spent three hours for observation at the hosptial only for dilating and getting sent home at one in the mornig). Nothing worked for me. My midwife induced with pitocin nine days late (I am not allowing that one ever again unless there is a very good, valid medical reason. It was miserable).

If you find something that works, let us know. I'll try it next time.

Do you know whether your cervix is softening and/or dilating? If so, you can try squatting several times/day. This puts the baby's head in a position to put additional pressure on the cervix and helps dilate you earlier. Of course, that may not start labor, but every bit of dilation before labor is a good thing too! :wink:

Very late babies are commonplace in my family (think 3-4 wks overdue). The week before ds was born, I squatted every 30-60 min for as long as I could hold it. I didn't expect labor to start but wanted to pull my cervix forward before labor did start. Imagine my surprise when labor started 2 wks before my due date! I have no way of knowing whether the squatting had anything to do with it, but I've always felt like it did. The great thing about this is there is no potential for neg side effects--if your body isn't ready to labor, it won't.

Wishing you a quick delivery! :D

Is there any particular reason you want to go into labor early?

I am really surprised the doctor would ok that.

Well, what I did (and there have been reports on TV about a restaurant in GA about this) when I was 2 days past due, I walked for 2 miles then I ate a big (big, big) portion of eggplant parmisean (spelling). I have always heard that there is something in the eggplant that will kick start labor. The reason I ate a really big portion was because I ate everything in sight that didn't eat me and because I love it so.

There have been news shows on the restaurant in GA that says if you eat their eggplant that you should go into labor within 48 hours. I think it only works if you are to term though, I'm not sure if it would work early.

Good luck!!

My contractions stopped at about 6 cm and 100 percent effaced last time and I was given the max dose of pit to restart...would like to avoid that again if possible....although I didn't have a great deal more pain after the pit was given, just don't like using any drugs during delivery. :?
It's a long story, but if I don't go into labor by week 39, they'll most likely deliver me anyway with induction....However, they are using my original due date of Jan. 4th to decide the induction....after my U/S's they moved my due date to Dec. 28th and that would be my induction date if needed. So, it would really be week 40, but for paperwork purposes, they have to keep the original due date to cover themselves for induction unless a major problem arises. :roll:
Figured if I could start some ideas that people think have worked the first part of week 39 for my due date (or week 38 for the original or induction date) then maybe I could help things along and avoid the pit or maybe not need the max dose this time......we'll see. Like I said.....loooonnnnggg story (due to insurance needs). Thanks for the tips. I run everything by my doc before I try it though, so thought I'd have a list to okay that last apt. week when I go see em'. :)

I firmly believe that if the baby isn't ready to come then no amount of "natural induction techniques" will work. I did anything and everything! The father and I had more sex in just one week then we normally did in a month! I ate Chinese food because someone told me that would help. I drank caster oil and molassis. Nothing worked! I had my membranes scraped...nothing! I drank rosemerry tea. In the end Rhyanne came when God was ready for her to come.

Sara