A friend of mine posts this on another board anytime anyone asks for natural induction ideas (to avoid Pit or for whatever reason). Nothing that probably hasn't been mentioned in other threads, but it's pretty comprehensive, so I thought I'd share it here! 
(And I do have her permission to re-post)
************************************************
These are all the natural induction methods that I know. Of course, nothing will send you into labor if you and the baby aren’t ready.
*WARNING: Some of this info may be a little graphic.*
Sex. Once a day. Afterwards, don’t get up right away and elevate your hips like when you were TTC. This helps the cervix absorb the prostaglandin in the semen.
Oral sex. Either way. You can ingest the prostaglandin orally and/or DH can stimulate your clitoris.
Physical activity. Walking, scrubbing the kitchen floor, etc.
Bumpy car ride. Sit and relax while the car jostles you and the baby about.
Nipple stimulation. Sometimes just letting the water from your shower beat on your chest will do the trick, particularly if you are still bfing.
PUMP METHOD -- Apply warm compresses to your chest. Uncover one breast and begin pumping for 15 min. Then reapply and warm compress and begin pumping the other side. Continue alternating compresses and pumping until you have strong, regular contractions, then stop. If contractions weaken or slow down, resume pumping for 5 min. per side until strength and regularity resumes.
HAND METHOD -- Drape a thin, warm, wet towel over your breasts. Roll one nipple through the towel until you have a contraction or 15 min. has passed. When the contraction begins, stop the stimulation. After it ends, wait 5 min. and stimulate the other nipple. Continue for an hour. Then take a break for 3-4 hours and begin again.
(If neither of these methods work, recruit DH to help stimulate both breasts at the same time.)
Thumb sucking. There’s a pressure point on the roof of your mouth. You can also use lollipops since they’ll probably taste better!
Accupressure. Apply pressure to the spot 4 finger widths above the ankle bone on the shinbone. Do this 3 times for 10-15 seconds each time. Repeat every few minutes, resting in between.
Herbal remedies:
BLUE AND BLACK COHOSH. (Use only under the supervision of a professional caregiver! Do not use if you are anemic, have a history of postpartum bleeding, high blood pressure or excessive blood loss during birth!) Take 3-4 drops under the tongue every 4 hours. OR 5-10 drops in a glass of water every 30 minutes for up to 4 hours. OR 15-25 drops under the tongue every hour for 6 hours.
CUMIN SEED TEA. Add 1 Tablespoon cumin seed to one cup of boiling water. Steep for 5 min. and drink. Only one cup per day.
GOLDENSEAL TINCTURE & MATRIGIN. Alternate 1/2 dropperful under the tongue every 5 min. for an hour.
BORAGE AND FLAX SEED OIL, BLACK CURRANT OIL. Take 3-6 capsules orally everyday and/or insert into the vagina at bedtime. Remain lying down to keep them in.
EVENING PRIMROSE OIL. Take orally 3 times a day and insert 2 into the vagina at bedtime. Again, remain lying down to keep them in.
WARNING: These 3 methods will probably cause diarrhea which can lead to dehydration.
Enema. You can add blue and black cohoshes to start contractions.
Spicy food, salad w/ balsamic vinegar dressing. (May cause heartburn.)
Castor oil cocktails. Take one dose, then take a hot shower. Follow with a second dose two hours after the first and another hot shower. Start with a dose of 1 1/2 oz. and gradually increase to 4 oz. if needed.
Ideas for castor oil "mixers":
-- Castor oil scrambled in 3 or more eggs.
-- Shot of castor oil followed by a shot of vodka.
-- Shot of castor oil followed by hot apple juice.
-- Castor oil blended with vanilla ice cream and orange juice.
-- 2 oz. of castor oil in 3-4 oz. of root beer.
-- 2 oz. of castor oil in a chocolate SlimFast shake.
-- 3 teaspoons (1/2 oz.) of castor oil with one teaspoon of baking soda in a large glass of orange juice.
I have ABSOLUTELY no medically training. These are all just things I’ve read about, heard or learned from others. Please do not try anything without first consulting your professional caregiver!
What worked for me -- The Midwives Salad
1/3 watercress
1/3 romaine lettuce
1/3 red cabbage
gorganzola cheese
balsamic oil vinegarette
I ate this w/ a wonderful steak and super hot and spicy red beans and rice at 8:30pm. I took a nice bath and went to bed and 10:30pm. Then woke up at 1am cause my water broke!
Best wishes for a happy, easy labor and birthing!
(And I do have her permission to re-post)
************************************************
These are all the natural induction methods that I know. Of course, nothing will send you into labor if you and the baby aren’t ready.
*WARNING: Some of this info may be a little graphic.*
Sex. Once a day. Afterwards, don’t get up right away and elevate your hips like when you were TTC. This helps the cervix absorb the prostaglandin in the semen.
Oral sex. Either way. You can ingest the prostaglandin orally and/or DH can stimulate your clitoris.
Physical activity. Walking, scrubbing the kitchen floor, etc.
Bumpy car ride. Sit and relax while the car jostles you and the baby about.
Nipple stimulation. Sometimes just letting the water from your shower beat on your chest will do the trick, particularly if you are still bfing.
PUMP METHOD -- Apply warm compresses to your chest. Uncover one breast and begin pumping for 15 min. Then reapply and warm compress and begin pumping the other side. Continue alternating compresses and pumping until you have strong, regular contractions, then stop. If contractions weaken or slow down, resume pumping for 5 min. per side until strength and regularity resumes.
HAND METHOD -- Drape a thin, warm, wet towel over your breasts. Roll one nipple through the towel until you have a contraction or 15 min. has passed. When the contraction begins, stop the stimulation. After it ends, wait 5 min. and stimulate the other nipple. Continue for an hour. Then take a break for 3-4 hours and begin again.
(If neither of these methods work, recruit DH to help stimulate both breasts at the same time.)
Thumb sucking. There’s a pressure point on the roof of your mouth. You can also use lollipops since they’ll probably taste better!
Accupressure. Apply pressure to the spot 4 finger widths above the ankle bone on the shinbone. Do this 3 times for 10-15 seconds each time. Repeat every few minutes, resting in between.
Herbal remedies:
BLUE AND BLACK COHOSH. (Use only under the supervision of a professional caregiver! Do not use if you are anemic, have a history of postpartum bleeding, high blood pressure or excessive blood loss during birth!) Take 3-4 drops under the tongue every 4 hours. OR 5-10 drops in a glass of water every 30 minutes for up to 4 hours. OR 15-25 drops under the tongue every hour for 6 hours.
CUMIN SEED TEA. Add 1 Tablespoon cumin seed to one cup of boiling water. Steep for 5 min. and drink. Only one cup per day.
GOLDENSEAL TINCTURE & MATRIGIN. Alternate 1/2 dropperful under the tongue every 5 min. for an hour.
BORAGE AND FLAX SEED OIL, BLACK CURRANT OIL. Take 3-6 capsules orally everyday and/or insert into the vagina at bedtime. Remain lying down to keep them in.
EVENING PRIMROSE OIL. Take orally 3 times a day and insert 2 into the vagina at bedtime. Again, remain lying down to keep them in.
WARNING: These 3 methods will probably cause diarrhea which can lead to dehydration.
Enema. You can add blue and black cohoshes to start contractions.
Spicy food, salad w/ balsamic vinegar dressing. (May cause heartburn.)
Castor oil cocktails. Take one dose, then take a hot shower. Follow with a second dose two hours after the first and another hot shower. Start with a dose of 1 1/2 oz. and gradually increase to 4 oz. if needed.
Ideas for castor oil "mixers":
-- Castor oil scrambled in 3 or more eggs.
-- Shot of castor oil followed by a shot of vodka.
-- Shot of castor oil followed by hot apple juice.
-- Castor oil blended with vanilla ice cream and orange juice.
-- 2 oz. of castor oil in 3-4 oz. of root beer.
-- 2 oz. of castor oil in a chocolate SlimFast shake.
-- 3 teaspoons (1/2 oz.) of castor oil with one teaspoon of baking soda in a large glass of orange juice.
I have ABSOLUTELY no medically training. These are all just things I’ve read about, heard or learned from others. Please do not try anything without first consulting your professional caregiver!
What worked for me -- The Midwives Salad
1/3 watercress
1/3 romaine lettuce
1/3 red cabbage
gorganzola cheese
balsamic oil vinegarette
I ate this w/ a wonderful steak and super hot and spicy red beans and rice at 8:30pm. I took a nice bath and went to bed and 10:30pm. Then woke up at 1am cause my water broke!
Best wishes for a happy, easy labor and birthing!
:
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