I'm in my ninth month and like many pregnant women, am getting anxious. So what old-wives tales, superstitions, or 'labor food' have you heard of? Did you try it? If so, did it work? This is mostly just for fun & to make the wait easier.
(I'm aware Castor oil is dangerous without a doctor's supervision, so I won't even consider trying it. I don't want to risk the baby geting meconium poisoning from it)
2007-01-21 01:16:57 · 9 answers · asked by Butterfli 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
My friend used sex to induce labor...worked for her! I've also heard that spicy foods may induce labor.
2007-01-21 01:21:48 · answer #1 · answered by WxEtte 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are more wives tales and so called ways than I know how to list... here are some:
- lots of sex (actually supposedly true- semen contains prostaglandins that help ripen the cervix, and orgasm can bring on contractions)
- spicy food, pineapple, papaya (green)- things that basically stimulate your digestive track
- bumpy car rides
- lots of walking
- duck waddling- this is easiest in a hallway where you can hold on the the walls with your hands. You squat down as far as you can, and basically walk yourself forward. It helps open up your pelvis so that the baby can descend
-Evening primrose oil caplets, contain natural prostaglandins that help ripen the cervix- you insert 2-3 gelcaps vaginally at night before going to sleep- wear a pantiliner, it's messy
- Nipple stimulation- this can be dangerous because it can make for very strong, sudden contractions
-Black/Blue cohosh- these can bring contractions/help ripen cervix but again use under a midwife's supervision! I like Wish Garden Labor Tonic
-Accupunture, pressure- three fingers above you anklebone on the outside, or between your pointer and thumb, in the soft spot.
I've tried all of the above, and the infamous castor oil. I used this under my midwife's recommendation. She's very experienced and actually says that it's safe. It will only work, however, if you're ready to go into labor- and you will be confined to the toilet for several hours. It helped kick labor in with my first pregnancy, but not my second. I was over 40 weeks both times, however.
Good luck, and remember to enjoy your last few days/weeks of pregnancy, because trust me, you'll miss it soon enough! The baby will come when he/she is ready- and no amount of intervention will do a thing before that time.
2007-01-21 01:43:33 · answer #2 · answered by Shannon E 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have sex. The semen causes your cervix to soften which, in turn, will bring on contractions. That is what I did in the end of my ninth month, and I went into labor very quickly. I had a quick and easy bithr too. I am not sure if the sex was the reason for that, but I tell myself it is!
I have heard the castor oil one too, but it is danerous. DONT DO IT!
HAving sex, can make the wait easier and fun too! hahaha Stimulating your nipples also helps. It is true....it produces oxytocin, which works like pitocin, the medicine they give you to induce labor! Good luck with your baby
2007-01-21 01:26:24 · answer #3 · answered by *NuBCaKe* 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I was overdue, I researched this topic out of sheer misery. I walked a lot, tried pressure points (on the inside of your foot below the interior ankle), my sister had to press them because I couldn't reach. Rubbing your nipples is supposed to help. It is also good preperation for breastfeeding, so why not? Also, I read that sex would induce labor, but my husband was not at all excited by that prospect- it freaked him out. So I read about herbal remedies: black cohash, etc. but like you I was too scared because there are possible side effects to the baby.
Another tactic I tried was food remedies. Eggplant is reported to bring on labor, so I made eggplant parmasean, eggplant soup (served cold), and battered and fried eggplant. At this point, I myself felt pretty battered and fried and JUST WANTED MY BABY TO COME OUT!!!! Next came dressing my salad with flaxseed oil and balsamic vinegar....
Needless to say, they come out when they are ready... and then you'll forget about your present misery, until someone on yahoo answers asks you, "How do I bring on labor?"
2007-01-21 01:40:27 · answer #4 · answered by HipandChic 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well i was 1 week overdue with my second child so i jumped on the bed for like 30minutes walked up and down stairs until i could walk anymore, within a few hours i was in labor.
2007-01-21 01:21:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They say that sex will help speed up labour as will, believe it or not, rubbing your nipples (I am not trying to be rude). By stimulating your nipples, you produce the hormone oxytocin, which can induce labour. Some doctors use a synthetic form of oxytocin to induce...good luck with the baby.
2007-01-21 01:23:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would walk. That is what I did with my twins. Walking is good exercise, and it will bring on the contractions and induce the labor process.
Good Luck.
Lora
2007-01-21 01:22:22 · answer #7 · answered by wildcat942002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out this site.
http://www.pregnancyweekly.com/pregnancy_information/inducing_labor.htm
I also read someone post somewhere that acupressure massage had worked for her. The pressure point in the ankles can bring on labor.
2007-01-21 01:45:23 · answer #8 · answered by desiderio 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a very hot chilli meal or curry
2007-01-21 01:22:51 · answer #9 · answered by dumplingmuffin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋