Old wife's tales abt bringing on labour!

[freespirit29]

Just interested to hear what people are trying to bring on labour?
I've heard of the walking, sex and castor oil but raspberry tea is a new one to me. Is there any more things to try and do they actually work ? Xx

 

[Cjj]

I've heard of curries/spicy food and pineapple too.
Not sure if effective, everyone has different opinions but I've been giving them all a go!!

 

[Pin badge]

I heard a warning about the castor oil one, apparently it can make babies poo which leads to meconium in waters...obviously want to avoid that!
I've also heard pineapple but think you need to eat about 11!xx

 

[Sarah13]

raspberry leaf tea is to strengthen contractions so won't help, has to be started around 32 weeks and built up.
there's all the alternative therapies like reflexology, various aromatherapy, massage and accupuncture type of things as well.
A good long walk can help and planning something that would make it an inconvenient time is always a good one, like having all your heating and plumbing done which is when my ds thought it was a good time to arrive so no water or heating working for a few days properly! (he was born over a month early so didn't deliberately plan that!)

 

[Baby Bean]

Playing with your nipples is supposed to work!

 

[coz78]

Going for a drive down a bumpy road was one I used to get told. This is only ok if your not too bothered about damaging your tyres or suspension lol.

 

[Gillyboos]

My cousin and friend both swore by Evening Primrose capsules, you pierce them and put them up your nunny.
From what I've read it just helps ripen the cervix though.

 

[Seabrook]

It's all about hormones, once those change you'll go into labour.
With regards to sex, it's the hormone prostaglandin that can induce labour, which is found in semen.
The quickest way for this to get into your system is through the stomach linings, so I think you know what you gotta do!

 

[Cjj]

It's all about hormones, once those change you'll go into labour.
With regards to sex, it's the hormone prostaglandin that can induce labour, which is found in semen.
The quickest way for this to get into your system is through the stomach linings, so I think you know what you gotta do!

Funny! My husband isn't enthralled with the idea of sex but he may prefer this!

 

[fao]

Ultimately the baby starts the hormones going to say it is ready to come out and your body responds by getting ready. If baby and body not yet ready, then no amount of old wives remedies will make any difference!!

Anyone who says they worked, will have been going into labour on their own anyway!

It's a waiting game. I have seen ladies on pf stressing from 37 weeks to try and bring it on, just prolonging the frustration and the wait! They then think the minute they are over 40 weeks they are overdue, even though 41 weeks is more average gestation and they then end up being induced.

Not meaning to be voice of doom, but I will try and be relaxed about going into labour (timing anyway, lol) and about my supposed "due date".

I know this is not what you asked, but someone needs to present the other side of the debate, lol!

Some women try the remedies because there is no harm doing so, and it makes them feel they are doing something.

 

[Sarah13]

so true fao! Im not going to try anything, in my mind your not 'over due' til 42 weeks anyway and baby will come when ready, I read this the other day, best thing is to do nothing and relax! http://www.the-mule.com/2013/04/overdue-desperate-to-avoid-induction.html?m=1
guess for lots of women they feel better doing something esp if your very uncomfortable and fed up. Im planning to savour every last minute of this pregnancy as it will probably be my last and I always really miss my bump and baby being so close after its born so know Ill be in no hurry!

 

[fao]

so true fao! Im not going to try anything, in my mind your not 'over due' til 42 weeks anyway and baby will come when ready, I read this the other day, best thing is to do nothing and relax! http://www.the-mule.com/2013/04/overdue-desperate-to-avoid-induction.html?m=1
guess for lots of women they feel better doing something esp if your very uncomfortable and fed up. Im planning to savour every last minute of this pregnancy as it will probably be my last and I always really miss my bump and baby being so close after its born so know Ill be in no hurry!

we are on the same page, lol!

I don't know about anyone else, but the thought of dtd or drinking caster oil when I am 9 months pregnant just does not bear thinking about!

there was another lady here recently who went into labour just after dtd - I wondered about the baby having to make its way through its dad's gloopy stuff and coming out with bits of it on its head - grossed me out! ok i am probably overthinking that, but would rather not have to tell the midwife she doesn't need lubricant to check how dilated I am, haha!

 

[Sarah13]

eww! hadn't thought of that! I've heard of people doing it during labour too as orgasms can help! my oh won't come near me with a small bump now anyway so zero chance when Im about to pop!

 

[T84]

Sex worked for me haha. Literally finished and stood up and waters had broke haha! I would say sitting on my ball also seemed to help baby engage. X x

 

[freespirit29]

Really don't fancy the castor oil either but I do find it interesting abt all the other suggestions!
No harm in trying the others but as fao says these baby's will come out when they are ready.
Wonder if the pineapple has worked for anyone lol xx

 

[Sarah13]

I ate loads of pineapple early pregnancy as I craved it!

 

[Pixel]

Me too Sarah, but for some reason I wanted tinned!

 

[jodie34]

Hi ladies hope u dont mind me posting i in my stupidity tried caster oil with my first 15 years ago yes it worked but my labour was very short quick and very intense 2 1/2 hours from start to finish i would not recomend anyone try castor oil ever xx

 

[redbear]

It basically gives you and baby stomach craps, so you can poo yourself and so can baby. It is meant to start labour by these stomach cramps bringing on labour, but who want to give there unborn baby the shits? (obviously im assuming women who have tried this didn't know about the side effects not accusing of them doing it on purpose)

Meconium in waters is very dangerous and if they swallow any it can cause infection and im assuming baby would end up in special care, fitted with a catheter for antibiotics and iv drip. Luckily my 1st daughter spat hers out so it was just 24 hours on ward with 2 hourly checks so no sleep!

I didn't take any btw I had a very fast labour which distressed her so she pooed, but thank god I didn't because how horrid would I have felt!

I had sex every day pretty much every day of my pregnancies, 1st was one day overdue and the second 6 days overdue, with the second I walked miles pushing her sister and it didn't help. I ate curries and spag bol with chillies (but I do normally) I went over speed bumps there up my mums road lol, didn't bother with pineapple as you need to eat 7 fresh whole ones and even then it might not work.

I honestly think most people who did something and went into labour would have anyway, if not that minute within an hour or so. No one would need to be induced if they reliably worked!

The only think I will say helped was the second sweep, I lost plug after and went into labour the next day, but that's only possible if your cervix is pretty much ready anyway xx

 

[jodie34]

I didnt know of any side affects if i did i wouldnt of gone anywhere the stuff at all x