Natural Methods to Induce Labor?

[bmhmommy]

Hi

I read these posts constantly, but have only posted a few times, never in the July 2008 due date club. I have found that you guys are VERY helpful in giving good, informed advice in general.

My baby was due on July 5 and so far, Im still only 3cm dilated, 75% effaced, with a posterior cervix - it hasn't changed since last week. My doctor wants to induce me this coming Friday, but after reading the posts here on induction Im terrified of a pitocin drip leading to a csection and disturbing the natural balance of pulsatile contractions.

Ive been in prodromal labor with painful contrax every 10 mins since last Wednesday night. My husband and I have had sex a few times, Ive walked around alot, eaten spicy food and Chinese food, but so far nothing has worked. My ob stripped my membranes yesterday, and the contrax have gotten stronger, but no closer together.

So, my questions for you guys are:

1. Can I vaginally insert evening primrose if Im dilated with my membranes stripped and will this introduce infection?

2. Which is better - black or blue cohosh?

3. How much sex do we need to have to be effective to bring on active labor?

4. Any other methods/remedies that may help?

Thanks Alot

[Spark]

First off, let me give you a hug, because you sound like you might be feeling frustrated and overwhelmed right now. Waiting for a baby certainly can take a lot of you!

Now, let's talk about the induction date first off. This just sounds like it's adding pressure to you to "get into labor or else." Do you feel like it's added pressure? It would make me feel that way! Did you talk to your OB about feeling uncomfortable with induction? He/She could have scheduled that because they thought YOU wanted the baby out. Or it could just be what they do in their practice when a woman is close to one week overdue & the weekend is coming. Is there some medical reason you need to get the baby out?

Patience really is the best, most proven way to have the best labor/delivery possible. If I could impart any advice, it would be to listen to you heart & give your babe the time he/she needs to finish developing & your body to become ready. For the most part, babies come when they're ready.

With natural induction techniques, if your body isn't ready, it's just not going to go into labor. Or you might end up with an irritated uterus that just contracts more (like what you're going through now after the membrane stripping) but isn't really going into active labor.

If you still feel that trying to rush into labor is in your AND your baby's best interest, here's a link you might find helpful.
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/natinduc.html

[Tenk]

While I'm not saying that you should induce, I truly believe that all women should do as they feel best, and do or don't based on that alone.

You are not ALWAYS going to end up with a c-section just because you induce tho. I've been induced 4 times and #5 is next week, and altho I did need meds to cope with the pain, I've never had a c-section. With my 1st I cervix was no where near ready and it took 46 hours at 38 weeks. 2nd was 37 weeks (high blood pressure both times) and took 24 hours, cervix still not ripe at all. 3rd took 12 hours, he was 42 weeks, and 4th (38w2d took 19 hours, I was 3cm, 70% effaced, but she passed away the day before. So I felt like it took longer because she was not actively working with my body to come out. This time they are indcuing at my request because I feel like mentally I could not handle being 38w1d pregnant again and wonder if he's ok or something might happen again.

I do wish you luck with your decision, and again I would probably chose NOT to be induced in your shoes, but if you do have to or chose to then remember it's not always as terrible as it may sound.

[aprilsfools]

You poor thing. Your doctor sounds very overbearing. Just remember that YOU make the decisions and do NOT have to consent to an induction if you don't want one. From what you have written, it sounds like your doctor has given you NO medical reason for an induction. Don't let them use scare tactics to convince you to do something you do not want to do!

You are not even at 41 weeks yet. The average first time Mom gives birth at 41 weeks 1 day (that is if the doctors don't interfere). Your "progress" (dilation, etc.) means nothing and should not be used as a reason for an induction.

Stripping your membranes can help encourage labor when babe is ready to come, but otherwise will just make you uncomfortable. This is the same with all the natural induction techniques. Unless your babe is ready, they will not work.

I agree with the PP- stress can really impede labor- shame on your doctor for making you feel so stressed during this time in your life!

I was due on July 2nd and here I am. Although I would love to be holding my baby right now, I will NOT consider an induction unless my MW could show me that there is a medical reason that OUTWEIGHS the risks of an induction.

At 41 1/2 weeks my MW will start doing NSTs bi-weekly to make sure the baby is doing fine. If everything is ok, there is no reason not to let her come on her own. Due dates are estimates- something the medical profession seems to forget.

Someone posted this Hypnobirthing mantra yesterday and I have been repeating it in the back of my mind all day:

Babies will come on their birthdays, not when the doctors decide.

Try to relax and enjoy this time with your DH!

[Emily12581]

I just wanted to echo what has been said. Your body seems to be gearing up already and if it is not ready yet, don't let your doctor force you into inducing. I was induced last time and didn't have a c-section, so like Teneal said it doesn't always end in c-section, but it does make labor long a difficult.

As far as your questions:

1. I think you can still do EPO vaginally as long as membranes have not ruptured. Wash your hands very well, and use gloves if you can.

2. neither of the cohoshes are safe IMO. They can lead to fetal stress and death, not worth it especially since the effect is the same as pitocin, but pitocin is controlled.

3. have as much sex as you'd feel comfortable with. DH and you both need to feel happy about it otherwise it'll cause undue stress.

4. walking, relaxing, try a pedicure

[elf]

Nipple stim--even with a breast pump if you have one.
That could get these ctx of your closer and maybe your water would break!

If you do the breast pump--never more than 10 minutes at a time and stop if you feel like your uterus is contracting constantly without a break. Soon after you stop the nipple stim, your uterus will relax so this is a safe way to induce ctx.

[Spark]

I realize I only responded to the 4th question. Here's my take on each of these...

1. Can I vaginally insert evening primrose if Im dilated with my membranes stripped and will this introduce infection?

Yes, you can still do EPO as long as your membranes are in tact. The membrane stripping carries more of an infection risk that YOU inserting EPO any day. Just make sure to wash your hands thoroughly. No need for gloves. It's your own body.

2. Which is better - black or blue cohosh?

I wouldn't do the cohosh herbs unless you're under a trusted herbalists supervision... and that's ONLY if you NEED to get the baby out for medical reasons. I'd feel more comfortable with the homeopathic forms of them though. You could take them together.

3. How much sex do we need to have to be effective to bring on active labor?

Again, if your body & baby are not ready, no amt of anything is going to throw you into labor. It's nature's own safety net. : So, just have sex when you want to feel connected to your partner and do your best to really enjoy it when you do.

[veganf]

ONLY 3cm and 75% effaced?!?! You're doing great. Sounds like you just need to be patient for a little while longer and your baby will come when it's ready. I wouldn't do a thing.

[Tenk]

Originally Posted by veganf

ONLY 3cm and 75% effaced?!?! You're doing great. Sounds like you just need to be patient for a little while longer and your baby will come when it's ready. I wouldn't do a thing.

I also think this is great advice, I'm long, firm (feels soft to me, but who am I) and closed.

[logies-mom]

I'm posting before I even read what other people say, so if I'm just saying what they said, I'm sorry.

As for the evening primrose oil, there is no reason you couldn't do it... as long as your water hasn't broken.

I'm sure you know this, but my midwife mentioned to me the other day that she's had people who think it's the sex that helps, it's actual the semen... so just so you know, make sure he finishes.

I was told not to come near blue cohosh because it can cause the same kind of erratic contractions as pitocin, and also can cause infant heartattack.

Nipple stimulation is another way of inducing labor.

But all of this is only effective if your body and baby are ready. If I were you, I'd tell your dr. that you aren't going to be induced. That you want to make sure that your body and baby are ready and that you'd like for him to help you do that by maybe a biophysical profile and non stress tests.

[sunnymw]

If you're really desperate... the prostaglandins that are found in semen are supposedly better absorbed through your gut than your vaginal mucousa... if you catch my drift I've seen this a few places!

[mhaddon]

Originally Posted by sunnymw

If you're really desperate... the prostaglandins that are found in semen are supposedly better absorbed through your gut than your vaginal mucousa... if you catch my drift I've seen this a few places!

Are you serious? I have never read this! But, hey it's DH's birthday he'll be excited so I guess its worth a try

[veganf]

Originally Posted by mhaddon

Are you serious? I have never read this! But, hey it's DH's birthday he'll be excited so I guess its worth a try

It's true...if you can stomach that while pregnant! UNfortunately I can't!

[JennaW]

Originally Posted by sunnymw

If you're really desperate... the prostaglandins that are found in semen are supposedly better absorbed through your gut than your vaginal mucousa... if you catch my drift I've seen this a few places!

Haha, my DH would be so stoked, that hasn't happened (the intake part) in years because I really don't find it to be enjoyable at all. I don't think I'm that desperate yet....

[aprilsfools]

Originally Posted by sunnymw

If you're really desperate... the prostaglandins that are found in semen are supposedly better absorbed through your gut than your vaginal mucousa... if you catch my drift I've seen this a few places!

I just told DH this- he is very excited.

Truthfully, this sounds much easier than DTD at this point...

[Emily12581]

Originally Posted by sunnymw

If you're really desperate... the prostaglandins that are found in semen are supposedly better absorbed through your gut than your vaginal mucousa... if you catch my drift I've seen this a few places!

I'd rather go 3 weeks late!

[mhaddon]

Originally Posted by aprilsfools

I just told DH this- he is very excited.

Truthfully, this sounds much easier than DTD at this point...

I know! Well I have a pretty good stomach and can eat a lot of things most people can't so it worked out. DH thought it was the best bday gift ever
Oh, and he made sure he was in the uncomfy position so that made it comfy for me.

But, I'm still hanging on so now he's going to bring it up again I'm sure

[jennykilbo]

I was just checking out this page http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/natinduc.html which has a lot of ideas for natural induction.... and the info about the "oral ingestion" of semen is in there! Also a lot of interesting anecdotal methods - my favorite :

"Try curb walking to help bring on labor. I know it sounds funny, but I really believe it helps. Walk along a curb, one leg up on the curb and one in the gutter, then turn around and go the other way." LOL!