Is "Natural" Induction a Bad Idea?

[Turquesa]

These days, I'm huge and chasing a toddler in really hot weather. : She was 10 lbs at birth, and I just know that despite working out constantly and not having GD, I'm going to have another big baby. I've become so abnormally huge that I've outgrown most of my maternity clothes and get the ever-so-rude question of whether I'm having twins. I'm nervous that if I wait much longer, this kid is going to grow and grow and make my pelvic organ prolapse (cystocele) even worse. The thermometer is rapidly approaching 100 degrees these days, and I've had enough!!

If I didn't know better, I'd probably be seeing an OB who would capitalize on all of this and talk me into an induction. But fortunately, I know better and am having a home birth. Also, I have always joined the chorus of MDC posters who preach that babies come when they're ready.

But right now....I'm really tempted to try to--ahem!--move things along. I'm due mid-August. If I start working on a "natural" induction (i.e. probably just constant sex! ) two weeks before my due date, is that in any way bad for a baby that should ideally come on his/her own time? Is it bad for my own body to rush the process???

[pinksprklybarefoot]

I've always had the theory that the really natural methods (like DTD) will only work if you are ready to go anyway. So I would say that there is no danger, and it would be fun trying.

But I'm not a birth professional, so I could be wrong.

[JamieCatheryn]

I think anything natural short of castor oil, cohashes, or membrane stripping is gentle enough not to possibly cause problems or cause a too early birth. And frequent sex was something DH and I did when we felt like it about that point just for fun, no intentions of induction (baby went late though so it didn't do anything). I have heard Evening Primrose Oil linked to longer labors in some who think they'd have gone later without it, no studies though.

[kawa kamuri]

a lot of sex 2 weeks before edd sounds awesome to me and that has nothing to do with having my babe

[wombatclay]

Just like medical inductions, there's a sort of "ramping up" list of natural induction methods. If you are committed to a "baby will come when they are ready" approach then just stick with the least interventive of the natural techniques. Things like sex (with prostaglandins as well as uterine contractions), walking and curb walking, stair climbing, swinging, pineapple, spicy food, etc are probably not going to do much unless you're more or less ready to go.

Moving up the intervention list a bit, you get into things like RRL tea, oral or vaginal EPO application, nipple stimulation, acupuncture/acupressure, chiropractic, etc which can certainly get things ready or even kick start things a bit more directly but which are still unlikely to do much if you're not ready.

Natural induction methods like the cohoshes, castor oil, enemas, and membrane sweeps (which some people feel crosses the line between "natural" and "medical") are much more interventive and probably shouldn't be on your to do list.

And you could always try something like 5W, PN6, or Gentle Birth (herbal blends taken daily for the 5 or 6 weeks prior to your due date)... all of which claim to help your body prepare for birth (and avoid going overdue) but shouldn't actually induce labor.

[Mamatoabunch]

I have taken PN-6 w/ my last seven pregnancies. I have not gone over, but that isn't why I take it.

[buckeye_bebe]

I think you should "try" something you come up with yourself for fun. Like...eh... eat a hot fudge sundae in the bath with your hubby (and/or others) and "see" if that sends you in to labor. Or....have him take you and your others out to the jewelry store and pretend you are going to buy diamonds. Or make up silly games with everyone. That way you can start your own tradition or wive's tale.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by JamieCatheryn

I think anything natural short of castor oil, cohashes, or membrane stripping is gentle enough not to possibly cause problems or cause a too early birth. And frequent sex was something DH and I did when we felt like it about that point just for fun, no intentions of induction (baby went late though so it didn't do anything). I have heard Evening Primrose Oil linked to longer labors in some who think they'd have gone later without it, no studies though.

This. Wanna have sex? Go for it. Long walks? Fabulous. Eat all the spicy food you can... but other than that- be patient

FWIW dd was 41 weeks 2 days and 8lbs 12oz
Ds was 43 weeks 5 days and 8lbs 11oz


-Angela

[Quindin]

I am due TODAY, so I have been where you are now for at least 2 weeks now.
I am in pain, having prodromal labor and extremely hot.
Oh, and need to take care of 5 little ones.

I am always miserable in the end of my pregnancies, but always go past my EDD. IME, there is absolutely nothing that works to induce labor naturally if baby is not ready. Of course, there is castor oil, strange herbs, etc but IMO the risks are just not worth it.

It is hard and it sucks...
I wish there was a magic solution. All we can do is to wait...

[xelakann]

I did acupuncture to get things going with my son and I plan to with this baby too. Not only does acupuncture feel good in general it is a safe way to naturally get things going... meaning if your body isn't ready it won't force it into labor.

[Turquesa]

Originally Posted by alegna

This. Wanna have sex? Go for it. Long walks? Fabulous. Eat all the spicy food you can... but other than that- be patient

UGH! Not patience! Anything but patience!

So long as I know that I'm not going to cause my baby to be born sooner than s/he should...I'll give it a go--DTD, walks, acupuncture...just not the castor oil :Puke

[Jilian]

I agree with Clay that it is ok to try the more natural methods but I'd skip cohoshes and stripping until you are at least a bit overdue (assuming your due date is accurate). The only issue that can come up is you can have a few false starts and when you're already feeling impatient that can be frustrating.

[eloise24]

I'd be careful with the more "harsh" things- they are still asking your body to do something it's not necessarily ready for. I think it's easy to justify them because they are more "natural" but if the whole idea is letting your body do what it needs to when it's ready to do it . . . then you want to be careful what you use.

Anyway, all that to say good luck and hope baby comes soon!