any tried and successful tips on stating labour?

Answer 1

Patience always works!

All the others (walking, spicy food, castor oil, etc.) are wives tales. If women go into labor after trying these methods it's because they were going to go into labor anyway. Most women try it when they are due, or past due, so it is just a coincidence.

A lot of them will swear they went into labor right after trying this or that remedy, but they never consider that maybe the baby was ready to come.

If these methods worked, wouldn't they use them at hospitals instead of expensive stuff like pitocin?

Answer 2

None that I know that would work for sure. All I have been told is that if you want to try the natural induction route then it will only work if you are truly ready anyway.

That being said here are the ones I have been told.

Sex
Castor Oil
Nipple Stimulation
Membrane Stripping (Dr.'s can only perform this)
Acupressure Points


That is all I can think of right now.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Do NOT use the castor oil. I got desperate and tried it with my 2nd pregnancy (was 10 days overdue). I was in the bathroom all night long either throwing up or....well...you can guess. It tasted HORRIBLE (even mixed in OJ) and I got really dehydrated- the one thing it didn't do was put me into labor!

Answer 4

Three kids, Go on a bumpy ride like over rail road tracks

Answer 5

it could be coincidence, but, midwives will advise on drinking ice ice cold water and walking around at the same time......also eating currys, and having sex is another way.... good luck in the birth.

Answer 6

i used primerose oil.

not a old wives tale....its actually recommended by midwifes. dr's don't like using oils and herbs they like chemicals but midwifes like to go a more natural root.

Answer 7

pizza and bowling together.

Answer 8

patience!

Answer 9

Nipple stimulation


Nipple stimulation is the gentle rubbing or rolling of the nipple to encourage the start of contractions. The theory is that oxytocin, a hormone that causes contractions, is released in the body when the breasts are stimulated.

Is it safe?

Nipple stimulation has been reported to produce very strong contractions and for this reason you should use it with care. However, a study of 719 women found that there were no problems of this sort following nipple stimulation (Kavanagh et al 2001).

Does it work?

The study mentioned above was thought to be too small to draw concrete conclusions from, but did show a significant benefit from nipple stimulation: 37.3 per cent of women who had tried it went into labour within 72 hours as compared to just 6.4 per cent of those who had not.

How do I try it?

The idea is to simulate the suckling of a baby so you need to massage the whole areola (the dark area around the nipple), not just tweak the nipple. Place your palm over the areola and move in a circular motion, applying a firm but gentle pressure. This may need to be continued for some time. The usual recommendation is 15 minutes of continual stimulation on each nipple each hour for several hours.


Castor oil



There are reports of castor oil being used to bring on labour as far back as the Egyptians, though how it works is poorly understood. The most commonly given explanation is that it acts as a powerful laxative, and when it stimulates the gut it also stimulates the uterus and so "kick starts" labour.

Is it safe?

Nausea is likely to be the immediate effect, followed by a bad case of diarrhoea and there is a risk that you will become dehydrated. For this reason, we would NOT recommend taking castor oil.

Does it work?

A study of 100 overdue women found that 57.7% began active labour after a single dose of 60ml of castor oil, as opposed to 4.2% who received no treatment (Garry et al. 2000). Another small study found that taking castor oil had no adverse affects on mother or baby (Kelly et al. 2001). Neither study was of a large enough scale to be conclusive.

How do I try it?

This is one we would NOT recommend but, according to a survey of midwives, 4 fl oz of castor oil mixed with orange juice is the usual dose. It is revolting (very oily) to drink though some suggest that making it fizzy by adding ½ teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda helps. A second dose can be given 12 hours later.


Sex


Sex as means of getting labour started is thought to work in three ways: firstly the movement may help to stimulate the uterus into action; secondly, sex can trigger the release of oxytocin, the 'contraction' hormone; thirdly, semen contains a high concentration of prostaglandins which help to ripen, or soften, the neck of the womb (cervix) ready for it to dilate when labour starts (Kavanagh et al. 2001).

Is it safe?

Sex is safe as long as your waters have not broken. Once this has happened, making love may increase the risk of infection. You should also avoid sex if you have a low-lying placenta or have had vaginal bleeding. Men often feel uncomfortable making love to their partners with a baby so obviously in the way but the baby will not know what is happening and will not be harmed.

Does it work?

Not enough studies have been done but, if nothing else, it will take your mind off the waiting.

How do I try it?

At this stage in your pregnancy sex is easier said than done. Try spoons, with your partner entering from behind or use the bed as a prop: your bulge isn't an obstacle if you lie on your back at the side or foot of the bed with your knees bent, and your bottom and feet perched at the edge of the mattress. Your partner can either kneel or stand in front of you. Alternatively, giving your partner oral sex may work better. It is thought that prostaglandins are absorbed more efficiently through the gut than through the vagina. (Note: you may prefer to keep this piece of information to yourself!)


Eating pineapple


Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which is thought to help to soften the cervix and so bring on labour.

Is it safe?

There is very little available research. Each pineapple contains only very small amounts of bromelain so you would need to eat as many as seven to have any effect. The most likely side-effect of eating large amounts of pineapple would be a severe case of the runs.

Does it work?

There is some debate about the role played by bromelain on prostaglandins, which soften the cervix to prepare it for labour. Some studies actually suggest that bromelain inhibits prostaglandin activity while others think the opposite. Regardless of this, eating large quantities of pineapple is likely to stimulate the gut and bowel and, as with castor oil, could kick-start the uterus into action by that means.

How do I try it?

The pineapple must be fresh: bromelain is destroyed by the process of canning or juicing.


Homeopathy


Homoeopathic remedies use highly diluted versions of more potent substances to treat the body. Pulsatilla and Caulophyllum are two commonly used homeopathic remedies used to stimulate labour.

Is it safe?

Homeopathic remedies are very safe. The Faculty of Homeopathy have researched their use in labour and not found any incidents of damage caused by them. The worst damage homeopathy can do is nothing - that is, the wrong remedy has been prescribed and is therefore ineffective.

Does it work?

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence from patients who found that homeopathy is helpful, but this has not been researched in a systematic way. One trial into caulophyllum found no difference between the women who took it and those who didn't, but the method of the trial was not thought to be reliable (Smith 2003).

How do I try it?

Contact a registered homeopath (The Society of Homeopaths has a list). A Homeopathic Birth Kit is available from Helios Pharmacy which includes 18 remedies and a mini-guide.


Herbal: blue cohosh and black cohosh


Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) and black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosus) are herbs which should not be used in early pregnancy but are often cited as useful in bringing on labour.

Are they safe?

There are no scientific studies available. Many anecdotal reports suggest that they are safe to use in the final stages of pregnancy. However, we have also come across two reports in which the use of each of these herbs during pregnancy may have been a contributing factor to birth defects. Herbals are much stronger than homeopathic remedies and so should always be used under professional guidance. Given that there is a question mark hanging over them, you may decide that it is better to avoid these herbs entirely.

Do they work?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that they do, but there are no scientific studies to back this up.

How do I try them?

The National Institute of Medical Herbalists can help you to locate a qualified, registered herbalist near you.


Eating curry


Spicy food is often suggested as a means of bringing on labour. There are no scientific theories relating to this, but it may be that it stimulates the gut and bowel and so encourages the uterus to get going by that means.

Is it safe?

Spicy foods can cause heartburn and, if you are not used to them, irritate the bowel. For this reason you should probably not order a vindaloo if you are usually more of a korma-girl.

Does it work?

There is no evidence either way though many women swear by it.

How do I try it?

Order a takeaway. This is not the time to be slaving over a hot stove.


Acupuncture


Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points of the body. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, this stimulates the energy within the body to restore balance and boost healing.

Is it safe?

Studies into this are limited but all show that acupuncture is safe for mother and baby.

Does it work?

The limited studies that have been carried out so far suggest that acupuncture may be effective (Smith et al. 2004). Anecdotally the evidence is much stronger.

How do I try it?

You need to find a qualified practitioner. The British Acupuncture Council has a searchable list. You will probably need treatment daily until you give birth.


Red raspberry leaf


Raspberry leaf can be taken as a tea or in tablet form. It is often mentioned alongside other methods for bringing on labour. This is a myth.

Is it safe?

It is very important not to use raspberry leaves until the last three months of pregnancy because of their stimulating effect on the uterus (Tiran 2003).

Does it work?

There is no evidence to show that red raspberry leaf will encourage labour to begin. However, an Australian study has shown that it will speed up the second stage of labour and reduce forceps delivery (Simpson et al. 2001).

How do I try it?

If you want to help to prepare the uterine muscles for labour start with one cup of tea a day or one tablet and build up gradually to a maximum of four cups of tea or tablets daily. The tea can be sipped freely during labour, too. The tea and tablets are available from health food stores or from herbal suppliers.


Walking


The explanation appears to be that the pressure of your baby's head pressing down on the cervix from the inside stimulates the release of oxytocin, hopefully bringing on labour. Also, just being upright gets the forces of gravity working for you, encouraging the baby to move down onto the cervix.

Is it safe?

Yes, but you should be careful not to wear yourself out. Labour can be exhausting and you don't want to use up all your energy before you have begun.

Does it work?

There is, as yet, no evidence. If your baby has not 'dropped' or is still high in the pelvis, walking is thought to encourage your baby into a better position so that labour is more likely to start on its own.

How do I try it?

This is not the moment to take up power walking, particularly if you have not done much exercise earlier on in your pregnancy. A gentle stroll is probably the best you will be able to manage.


And finally:


Here is a selection of other methods (some of them a little bizarre) that other mums are said to have found helpful. There is no evidence for any of these and frankly we are not convinced!

• Blowing up balloons: the theory is that the build up of abdominal pressure encourages labour to start.

• Bouncing on your birth ball or driving your car down a bumpy road would seem to put the same faith in shaking things up a little

• Get a weepy video and have a good cry

• Wear your best knickers (sod's law will ensure that your waters break in them).