Natural inductions?

[mama2walden&luna]

Does anyone know of any natural inductions that actually work?

I know of an accupressure point on the heel, by the achilles tendon. I've also heard that drinking castor oil works, but is that really safe? And DOES is work?

Let's see, I've been walking every day, having sex when possible, and taking EPO and Dr. Christopher's. I tried eating food with a lot of cumin in it yesterday. I really want this baby out before 42 weeks because my MW will turn me over to an OB at that time. I DO NOT WANT TO GO TO AN OB. I really really hate doctors.

[SarahJoy]

i'm no help. but i wanted to say i'm with you on wanting to get baby out. i've actually been seeing an OB for this pregnancy and have decided that i pretty much hate him, so i'm calling the office tomorrow and telling them i have no ride to my 10:40 appointment and i'm now planning to UC. haha

[ladyleigh]

I'm laughing in pain with you and I'm not even late yet. I've been in such a bad mood today- major cramps kept me up last night but nothing happened, other than now I am tired.

Not having been pregnant before I can't say anything about induction. I have heard about black/blue cohosh but I would only use it under the advice of my mw.

There is a thread on www.babycenter.com august board about castor oil. It is a much more 'mainstream' discussion group but people have been trying CO and a few people have been successful- most just had really bad runs that left them with burning on their tushie. Ouch.

maybe this link will work http://boards.babycenter.com/n/pfx/f...1179&tid=18594

[plummum]

My midwife has told me to take blue cohosh, and use primrose oil capsules as vaginal suppositories (two a day). This is for cervical softening.

I have heard castor oil works well for induction (best once cervix is soft?)

[danotoyou2]

Castor oil CAN work, but I'd use it as a last resort (well, before a hospital induction, anyway). It gives you the runs, which can stimulate the uterus into contracting... and if you're already 'ripe' for labor, those contractions can continue and turn into labor.

The downside (apart from being on the toilet), is that it can also give your baby the runs too! And while meconium isn't the worst thing that can happen during pregnancy, it's something you want to avoid.

I would try LOTS of walking, sex, EPO, spicy foods, red wine, etc... Your body will go into labor when it's ready, so I wouldn't push things.

[NightRose]

I ran across this website last night: Natural Induction
HTH!

[QueenOfThePride]

Nipple stimulation can give you some really strong contractions.

[Marlet]

I did castor oil with DD and it worked. That was after the whole spicy foods thing, black and blue cohosh, jumping jacks and squats, running, jump roping, nipple stimulation, and sex (not all of that at once ).

[MamaRabbit]

Nipple stimulation has worked the best for me.

[mama2walden&luna]

Well, I might not need it. Contractions woke me up at 5:00am, funny last time it was 5:00am, and I've been timing them. We'll see what happens.

[QueenOfThePride]

Good Luck, Walden's Momma!

[Sabo]

I hope that your contractions kept going, but if not, maybe try eating a ton of fresh pineapple. Even if it doesn't do anything for labor, it is delicious

[Contrariety]

:

I had the same fear when I went postdates... Nipple Stimulation worked wonderfully for me!

[Alohamelly]

Originally Posted by Sabo

I hope that your contractions kept going, but if not, maybe try eating a ton of fresh pineapple. Even if it doesn't do anything for labor, it is delicious

I'm going to get some pineapple tomorrow actually. I've read up on natural inductions and since sex, nipple stimulation, EPO and walking aren't working for me so far, I'm going to start trying some other things. Herbs and Castor oil will be my last resort though.

[ladyleigh]

What about stripping the membranes? Would any of you consider that? I asked my mw about it and she said it works if the baby is ready- gives a little encouragement, but it doesn't work if the baby is not ready- so no danger of 'kicking him out before his time'.

I think they just go in there and separate the mucus plug or something?

[Groggie]

re: stripping membranes, my sister (who's had four very easy natural births) had that done with 2 or 3 of hers, and it always started labor really quickly for her. I am considering doing that if I get to 40 weeks, because we have our green card appointment at 41 wks 2 days and we don't want to miss it ...