Can anyone tell me any tried and true ways to induce labor at home?

Question

I am due any day now, and would like to know if there are any ways to speed the process along. I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions for weeks now, just not strong enough, or steady enough. Is there any way to break my water without hurting the baby? I know a lot of people think it's best just to wait, so please only answer if you've been where I am now and understand how I feel.

Also, does any one know what middle names will go with Asa?

Answer 1

I got those with my 2nd child at 6 months OK, those don't mean anything. Have you been going to a DR? You have to be Dilated to break your water.
I was completely dilated when they broke my water with my 2nd child fast labor. 1 1/2 hrs. way to fast! Let just say I was giving clotted meds so I didn't bleed to death and not thinners!
The walking part does not work, it just made me swell up worse

Answer 2

I understand completely. This is my second pregnancy, and I've been wanting to have this baby since I was 6-months pregnant. Now that I am going into my 36th week, I was wanting to know how to induce labor naturally, too. I asked my Ob-Gyn, and he said the only things I could do that he agreed with were sex, walking, and nipple stimulation for at least 15-20 minutes at a time. Also, if you break your own water, and your body just isn't ready for it, your labor could be MUCH longer than you'd ever want it to last. I suggest sex and walking. I've been doing both now for two days, and my Braxton-Hicks are going nuts, so I think it's working!

Answer 3

There are 3 ways that are safe and effective:

Walking--as much as you can stand! It helps baby's head get lower and put more pressure on the cervix and help aid in dilation.

Sex--semen contains prostoglandins which "ripen" the cervix and if you can have an orgasm it may help start contractions. Be sure to lay still a while afterwards to let the semen "work" on the cervix.

Nipple stimulation--20 minutes on, 10 minutes off for several hours until labor gets into a regular pattern. It releases oxytocin which starts contractions.

Answer 4

Do NOT break the water. If you are not ready to have the baby and you break the water, there is only a certain amount of time it will be safe for the baby to stay in the womb. You'll end up with a c-section or bad complications.
All the advice here has been great so far. Sex totally works. (know that from experience). What fun way to start it too. Black or blue cohosh (herbal formula you can get from a health food store) helps too. Walk like you never have before. Rock your hips while standing in place.
Hang in there. Waiting is best for your baby.

Answer 5

DO NOT TRY TO BREAK A BAG OF WATER YOURSELF!!!
That's dangerous!!
The ways I heard while I was overdue to help thin the cervix and start labor:
1. Sex. Semen has something in it to thin out the cervix.
2. Spicy food
3. Walking, a lot
4. Castor oil with champaign
Personally, I was working light on our backyard the day before , light duty work like trim some bushes, branches etc. That made me stretch out a little and was probably the reason I went into labor early next morning.

Answer 6

I have been there and know how it feels but all the braxton hicks are helping to get you ripe. If you try to induce before the two of you are ready it will be a long road. If you let your baby tell you when he/she is ready it will go much smoother I promise. I can remember feeling just like you but I waited and my labor was so smooth- only 4 hrs with no pain meds. I honestly think it was because I waited for him to tell me when. Ankle and foot massage, sex and nipple stim. can help bring the contractions stronger but probably won't bring labor on. Just hang in there!

Answer 7

I have been there and I looked for ways, but nothing worked. I learned afterwards that I could have really hurt the baby trying. Don't use castor oil. I've heard of people making their baby have a bowl movement in the womb and choking on it. Just ride it out. I promise you will thank yourself if you do. You're baby knows when he or she is ready. Go to a supportive family member or friend and let them pamper you or something. Besides, you have the rest of this child's life ahead of you. I'd give yourself a few extra days of rest and relaxation.

*edit*
BTW, Asa is a really pretty name. Jade would be pretty with it.

Answer 8

Firstly, get rid of the braxton hicks!!!! get some raspberry leaves tablets from the health food shop. They won't hurt you or the baby but will definitely stop braxton hicks in its tracks. I had from week 30 to week 38 with very bad braxton hicks when I found out about raspberry leaves, started taking them and they stopped practically over night. My last two weeks were braxton hicks free. With my second preganancy I started taking them from 22 weeks and I did not have the same problem. As for home remedies for speeding the process up, well nothing worked for me, but I have heard that having sex will help as the male *** is supposed to help the cervix dialate. I know a couple of people that has helped, but like I said it didn't help me, and I tried everything else as well... But my daughter had to be induced at 40 weeks.

Answer 9

Sorry, there are no "tried and true" methods. Sure you can ask around and there will be people that swear by Evening Primrose Oil or Black and Blue Cohosh, or stripping your membranes or or or... LOL. It is hard to be at the end, you are big, tired, uncomfortable, it feels like there is a baseball lodged between your legs... but baby's are born when baby is ready. It is ar hard pill to swallow, especially when you are officially past your due date.

Walking can help, especially if you are bhxing anyway and sex. It sounds funny but semen helps soften the cervix. Good luck honey, baby will be here soon and you will forget how uncomfortable these last weeks were.

Answer 10

Other than sex and walking a lot, I can't think of anything that would be safe.

Hold in there...my Braxton Hicks lasted for weeks, too. And I have a beautiful daughter (after two boys) as payment.