Safe, non invasive ways to attempt to give labor a boost

[maciascl]

So what things are you trying to get things going? I know that if baby isn't ready it won't work but I am looking for things that can't really hurt anything either.

Today I plan to:

- do a castor oil pack. I will NEVER drink this stuff, that is scary to me, but my mw suggested rubbing it on my belly and covering it with a warm wet towel for 20 min or so.

- go for a walk

- have my feet, ankles and whatever other pressure points rubbed by my massage therapist friend

- may be if I can get up the energy, sex (Isn't orgasm good too, not just the prostaglandins in the semen?)

[buckeyedoc]

All I have really done to prep my body is to drink red raspberry leaf tea, take (and directly apply) evening primrose oil, sit on a birthing ball and try to stay active. Tomorrow is my due date, and I really did not want to deliver before it because I have something to do for work tonight. I usually go about a week past my due date. I will start really visualizing the baby moving down and my cervix opening, starting tomorrow. DH is not at all interested in helping things along, considering the baby's head is engaged (so it is "right there" in his mind!).

[rightkindofme]

Sex and trying to walk around is all I'm doing. My husband is thrilled. given that we plan to schedule a vasectomy for not long after the birth and there is a 'waiting' window for that as well as for after the birth he knows he's looking at a dry spell.

[BlackSheepPDX]

Acupuncture. (in addition to the other suggestions already mentioned)

[maciascl]

Well I didn't end up doing the things I said I was but I did learn the accupresure points. Nothing is really doing so far. Today is my birthday though. May be baby will want to give me the best birthday gift ever!

[AutumnAir]

Sex!! (DH is thrilled because I've not really been in the mood most of the pregnancy).

Reflexology - just went today.

Acupuncture - trying it tomorrow.

Lots and lots of RRL tea.

EPO orally and vaginally.

Visualisation and talking to baby.

But I know I could still have weeks to go... (I'll be 41 weeks on Thurs but DD didn't come till 43+1)

[HaikuMommy]

Twice now all I've had to do is BUY castor oil, not even take it -- and the babies popped out within 2 days all on their own!

[TheHousewife]

Labor Balm

I found a recipe online somewhere and made my own labor balm concoction of:

Castor Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
Lavender Essential Oil
Black Cohosh Tincture

I rub it on my belly at least twice a day. Started doing so around 38 weeks. My due date is tomorrow. It does seem to keep the skin moist and lubed up, but not really inducing that many contractions.

Maybe I should have used more of the Castor Oil in the mixture. I didn't really measure, I just kinda winged it! lol

[em123]

What worked for me this time was:

1. Sex in the morning
2. Walking (not a ton, but much more than usual for me)
3. Swinging on the swings at the park
4. Walking again when I noticed contractions were starting (they came almost every night for a few weeks)

Last time I believe it was a combination of fresh pineapple and a huge winter storm that moved in.

[stellarmomof3]

Well yesterday I tried the blue and black cohosh with pumping for a few hours. Also drank 6 oz of castrol oil, which I will never do again. I had ctx but they didn't do anything. Was still only 1cm. The only reason I did it was cause I thought my water broke and the midwife didn't check me till we were about to go into the hospital. She had everything set up for me to give birth at my home. My stomach feels more squishy but think it might be cause the baby dropped lower. Worst day ever...

I am 41+4 weeks prego

[DomestiKater]

@stellarmomof3 - we have the same due date i just noticed! i will be 41 weeks on thursday too...well, that is if i make it to thursday. this is my first so i could see it but, tonight is the full moon and i'm hoping that will do the trick!

[stellarmomof3]

Originally Posted by DomestiKater

@stellarmomof3 - we have the same due date i just noticed! i will be 41 weeks on thursday too...well, that is if i make it to thursday. this is my first so i could see it but, tonight is the full moon and i'm hoping that will do the trick!

Me too!!! I even had accupressure done on sonday to start labor but nothing happened. That is when I thought my water broke but maybe its just leaking.? Have no clue Midwife thinks its nothing but my stomach is totally different to me.

[stellarmomof3]

Originally Posted by DomestiKater

@stellarmomof3 - we have the same due date i just noticed! i will be 41 weeks on thursday too...well, that is if i make it to thursday. this is my first so i could see it but, tonight is the full moon and i'm hoping that will do the trick!

Wait, you mean 42 weeks right?

[lunarlady]

I did everything, but what I think did the trick was taking RRL tincture every couple hours, and doing some inversions on the stairs from spinning babies to improve position. I was 9 days overdue. Good luck!

[BlackSheepPDX]

Sex WITH ORGASM. Use a vibe if you need to. The uterine contractions of orgasm really get things working, in combo with the semen benefits.

[DomestiKater]

sorry - i am pulling for you there in AK! I meant to say that Autumn Air and i have the same due date- 41 weeks tomorrow- i got all excited and had a typo- sorry about that!

how are you doing now StellarMom? I live in JT, CA and we have land in AK and go often- initially we were going to give birth there cause it's so hot here in the high dez in August...didn't know about the 2 week rule...glad i am here...good luck and love to you in your labor!!

Still prego here- really thought something was happening last night though- i had cramping and lots of movement during dinner and kept sweating a lot even though i was in a cool room- we switched on the daily show and i fell asleep assuming i would wake up with more signs...nothing so far.

we're gonna do the belly cast we'd been putting off now ...maybe that will be what makes it happen since i have to be so still ....