I am 9 months pregnant and am very uncomfortable. I am in pain constantly, usually its my lower back and buttocks but lateley I just feel all around discomfort- headaches, menstrual like cramps, irritability etc.. I have heard an old wives tale about drinking cod liver oil but I dont know if it's real and/or safe. Is there any thing I can do to speed up the labour/delivery process?
2006-07-21 02:01:09 · 23 answers · asked by natalie_cobbing 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
having sex is ok if you want to bring on labor
2006-07-21 02:05:01 · answer #1 · answered by curstadevon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Avoid the cod liver oil. Without doctor supervision, you will be in endangering your baby.
If you are having menstrual like cramps, you may be in the early stages of labor (which can last a long time).
I've been through this twice. So I do understand your level of discomfort but the health of the baby has to come first at this point.
You might try walking around more (but stay hydrated!). Sex can sometimes bring on labor and as well as stimulation of the nipples because it releases natural oxytocin ( I think that's the hormone it is).
Other than that, while I do have some herbal teas that can help, I cannot give those to you because I do not know your background, your health status or if you are under a doctor's care.
In general, you will just have to wait it out like the rest of us have done. It will be over soon though-and then my dear- the real work begins.
2006-07-21 02:09:25 · answer #2 · answered by lilly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know how you feel. My first one went to 41 1/2 weeks; I thought I was going to die. The good news is your baby will most likely come before that. That bad news is, anything you do to try to induce labor is really only going to help if you're within 24 hours of natural labor already.
However, red raspberry tea, readily available at the grocery store, will help bring things along bring you closer to natural labor. So will sex.
Foot massages are good too, from a reflexology point of view. I know that sounds stupid, but hey, if it doesn't work, you still get a massage out of the deal.
Laxitives and oils are NOT the way to go because you will get cramps and diarhea like nobody's business. My sister did that; she'll never do that again.
Hope this helps.
2006-07-21 02:18:21 · answer #3 · answered by Rebecca 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to help speed up labor is walking, walk as much as possible. I know that sounds like a nightmare because you are hurting but it will help. Have someone take you riding in a car down a bumpy road I have heard that it works too! I'm not sure about the cod oil.
2006-07-21 02:06:28 · answer #4 · answered by crenshaws_apache 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how many weeks you are but there are tons of natural things you can do to help speed up the process. But please try to hold off until you are 37 weeks (most doctors consider that to be full term) 1st off, are you dilated and what about effacement? If your cervix is still "thick" then I would suggest using Evening Primrose oil. ($5.67 a bottle at walmart also can be found at herb shops) What you do is at about 37 weeks you take 1 capsule by mouth 3 times a day. Then at 38-39 weeks you continue that but at night insert about 3-4 inside as close to your cervix as possible. They will dissolve over your cervix and help it to thin out. This does not cause labor to start simply thins your cervix. But if your body is ready then after thinning occurs usually contractions do kick in causing dilation.
Sex is said to be an inducer by some people. Semen contains certain ingrediants which can have the same thinning and dilation effect on the cervix but most people don't realize that you have to have sex 6-7 times to get enough of this to have an effect. Most are just not in the mood for an all day event like that at 9 months.
Some use castor oil but please stay away from this method. I can cause labor but not good for the baby. What it does is it causes you intestions to contract leading to diarea. When your intestions react to this it can cause your uterus to contract aswell, causing labor. Side effects... Your on the toilet for 3 hours with the worce upset stomach ever and on top of it you are having stroung contractions. For the baby it can have the same effect on his/her bowels and cause the baby to go inside yo before you deliver (meconium) If the baby ingest any of this at birth it can cause perminate damage to their lungs. It doesn't always happen but why risk your babies health.
Nipple stimulation can also bring on strong harsh contractions and most doctors only suggest this under their care at the hospital/birthcenters.
There are other natural things to take (borage oil, black cohosh etc.) But I am not sure of the dosage needed to have an effect. If you get online and search natural induction you should see all of these and more pop up. I would go with the Evening Primrose Oil. ( I just bought some yesterday for myself - My Midwife suggested it to me) Good luck and remember you need to be about 36-37 weeks before doing this ... for the baby's sake.
2006-07-21 02:24:40 · answer #5 · answered by Nina J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, have you tried any of the following?
1) Raspberry leaf tea - helps the cervix to soften
2) Sex! Sperm produces a substance that is used to induce labour
3) Lots of walking
4) Boucing on a birthing ball
5) Spicy foods
6) Clary Sage Oil
7) Ask your midwife for a membrane sweep
2006-07-21 02:07:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We've had 6 kids, and the most reliable starter for my wife was sexual stimulation. Intercourse was uncomfortable for her, but she loved to be stimulated by hand, and the muscle contractions associated with her orgasms seemed to get her going. She could do that over and over, and it helped her forget her discomfort. The weirdest thing that got her labor started was undercooked onion rings which caused cramping and gas, but got her started.
2006-07-21 02:46:33 · answer #7 · answered by utahn111 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like ur already starting to go into labor to me do you feel alot of pelvic pressure because just before my waters broke i had all the same feelings as you did plus ALOT of pelvic pressure. try the things above tho thats everything i read to do. altho i was induced and went thro it all in the hospital and had the epurdual when it starting getting really painful so couldn't walk or even bearly move my legs so i cudn't try the walking thing. but before my waters broke and just before it got really bad i did walking it really helps the pain
2006-07-21 02:13:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
cod liver oil does work, but it can take up to 24 hours and it really doesn't taste very good. why don't you try having sex, or you could try walking back and fourth up and down stairs. Good Luck!
2006-07-21 02:06:32 · answer #9 · answered by tricksy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When i was three days overdue, my doctor gave me three things to do to self induce labor...hot baths(no they are not dangerous for the baby at this late date), walking, and sex(orgasms may trigger the release of pitocin hormone, which comes with labor).
2006-07-21 02:06:19 · answer #10 · answered by Demure D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sound like you are getting close! Walk around a lot, that worked for me, finally! (Whatever you do will work, eventually) Try to get some rest, too. Good luck!
2006-07-21 02:05:32 · answer #11 · answered by lonna b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋