Do you think trying too hard to induce labor backfires?

[twins+1]

I have been wondering after reading all these things about ladies trying to bring on labor and it only working for a handful that maybe this strategy backfires? My brother's wedding is 5 days after my duedate in Philly and in order to fly with our new baby our pediatrician is suggesting he be at least 2 weeks old - which means he would need to be born this friday in order to travel.
My cervix is definitely changing and I get some crampy contractions here/there and I've tried:
pineapple
acupressure
jogging
brisk walks up hill and in the neighborhood 2x day
spicy food
sex

and if anything... my contractions are better andn less frequent.
So I am deciding I'll keep up with my daily walks for strength and stretch my hips and all, but I think I need to just be at peace with whatever day my body decides to go into labor. I'm kind of thinking maybe it is like when you're trying SO hard to get pregnant and it doesn't happen until you give up. Do you think this makes sense or is this a reverse tactic I'm using on myself.

[trauerweidchen]

I've been wondering this, too. I'm not actively trying everything I can to bring on labor (of course, my due date is still a couple of weeks away), in spite of the fact that I think my baby is pretty large and just about ready to make an appearance. I can definitely feel my body gearing up for labor, but I have no idea if it'll happen tonight, or next week, so I'm just trying to live in the moment and enjoy the process. I figure that when labor starts, it'll start, and to just stay rested and hydrated. We'll see if I end up going late using this route! (It doesn't seem likely... in spite of being a first-timer, the messages I'm getting from my caretakers and my body are that this baby will be early or on time, but I'm prepared either way.)

[Lunaria]

I think that perhaps you could be on to something! If you are stressing out about it, the stress hormones could inhibit the horomones responsible for bringing on labour. I know my midwife is a huge fan of letting your body and baby take the time it needs. It's hard though when you feel you have a deadline!

Jenny

[j_p_i]

Although I'm one who has tried the pineapple, walking, EPO, sex... etc... I do believe these things won't really work until the baby is ready to make her appearance. I feel like I may be helping things along a bit, prepping my body at least. I absolutely agree that stress could inhibit labor, so that might be a bigger part of it than trying to bring on labor. Although I'm excited for the baby to be here, I'm not stressing about the fact that she's taking her time.

That said, I'll still continue eating my pineapple and taking the EPO, and see what happens!

[Asher]

Originally Posted by j_p_i

I do believe these things won't really work until the baby is ready to make her appearance.

EXACTLY! I do not think it hinders anything at all. I simply thing the methods people are trying are natural methods and, as such, they will only work if the body/baby is read.

[AustGirl]

I'm almost trying the complete opposite. Most of my pregnancy I've been working my butt off and being quite active and upright when I should've been resting. So now with 8 days till EDD, I'm doing absolutely nothing all day! And loving it. I've never been so calm and rested. I'm hoping that encourages the baby to move down further and ctx to start.

[BabyMae09]

I've been having contractions for two weeks. In fact, two weeks ago yesterday, they were 5 minutes apart for two hours, then, wham! They totally stopped.

Soooo... I *may* have tried a few things... I got more contractions, but nothing real happened, so I gave up.

Now I feel fantastic and am having less contractions then I was a week ago!!!

Who the heck knows? I think random things work for different people. I guess babies don't come until they're ready after all.

[AustGirl]

My thinking is that if you try a natural remedy to start contractions, if the baby isn't ready yet, they'll probably stop on their own when that remedy wears off anyway, right?

[Asher]

Originally Posted by AustGirl

My thinking is that if you try a natural remedy to start contractions, if the baby isn't ready yet, they'll probably stop on their own when that remedy wears off anyway, right?

Not sure how it works for "normal" people. For me, it just never starts anything to begin with if my body/baby isn't ready.