Does bengay really work to stimulate your nipples to trigger labor?

Question

I am 37 weeks pregnant and miserable. My feet and ankles are so swollen that I cant walk, and my legs are starting to get so fat and swell also, where I can barely bend them, it feels like I dropped, but I am not sure, because Its me. Someone had told me that bengay on your nipples hurt, but they stimulate the hormone that triggers labor. Does anyone know anything about this? Also, does castor oil thin your cervix and makes you dilate? Please someone help me. I really want to have this baby.

Answer 1

Any kind of nipple stimulation will help stimulate the release of the hormone oxytocin which will stimulate uterine contractions. Other things known to help are SEX and yes it is safe as long as the pregnancy is healthy, pressure points along the inner, distal tibia about 2 inches up form the medial malleolus (ankle) and a finger width posteriorly (towards the back of your leg). also light swedish massage applied to your thighs and legs in the direction of your heart will help reduce your swollen ankles and also stimulate the release of oxytocin. Oil of Oregano and evening primrose are also known to be helpful. Castor oil is used as a laxative which causes diarrhea cramps which sympathetically causes uterine contractions and is dangerous!!!

Answer 2

Hi, Not only does the Bengay hurt, it is absorbed into the skin where it can't be washed off and if you are going to nurse it could hurt the baby. The castor oil does not always work, in fact, it doesn't work more than it does and it makes for a much harder labor. I feel for you as I remember what that last couple of weeks feels like. But the little darling will come when he/she is ready and if your doctor checks you and thinks it is okay, he might induce you. If he says no, heed his advice, as he knows if the baby is ready or not. Good Luck and congratulations.

Answer 3

I have never heard of that. Ben-gay is like a really cold feeling when applied right? I don't know if I would try it.Sounds very uncomfortable. I am due on Sunday and I have had a bottle of Castor oil in the med cab for over two weeks now. I am afraid to try it. Some people say it works others strongly don't recommend it so I can't say but I will say you will probably feel better in the long run if you just wait it out... I would rather be miserable than take a chance on possibly hurting my baby. I know how you feel and you CAN do it.Just wait.

Answer 4

That sounds like it would burn like you know what. If you are swelling that badly, have you talked to your doctor? How is your blood pressure, is there protein in your urine. These are things you need to find out. If the answers to these questions are yes, then you might have pre-eclampsia, and the doctor will probably induce you since you are 37 weeks. Castor oil is NASTY, I tried it twice with my 3rd child. I spent a while on the toilet, but still didn't go into labor. Short answer is that no matter what you do, if your body is not ready for labor, you will not go into labor. Sorry :(

Answer 5

I have never heard of the bengay on the nipples, but by rubbing them you can achieve a faster onset, also the castor oil has worked for some people I know, but be prepared tp spend a miserable day on the toilet!!

Answer 6

Bottom line is you can't trigger labor unless your body is ready. You can do nipple stimulation without the bengay. Castor oil does nothing but give you diarrhea.

Answer 7

Probably just the act of rubbing them is what does it. I was given a "stress test" when my son was two weeks overdue, and I was told to stimulate my nipples by rolling them in my fingers. It made me have contractions so they could test my blood pressure.

Answer 8

No