Naturally Inducing Labour

Posted by: Fiona (---.orcon.net.nz)
Date: November 12, 2005 08:15AM

My due date is now a month away, and although I know that babies come when they are good and ready, I'm rather keen to meet this child a bit earlier as I'm getting rather large and am wondering how on earth it is gonna come out! What methods have you tried to induce labour that have worked? I have heard about raspberry leaf tea, castor oil, hot curry and hot sex.....but what actually works and what are old wives' tales?

Re: Naturally Inducing Labour
Posted by: Kay D (---.orcon.net.nz)
Date: November 12, 2005 09:30AM

hi fiona,

Please please do try to induce the baby naturally before time.
If you are feeling bllrr . and as though you cannot go on, forget the housework and meal preparations and get your partner to help with these, after all the baby is as much his as yours. House work will always be there and if you don't do it people will understand and hopefully help by doing some for you.
I don't know whether your mother or mother in law are around but enlist their help, I am sure that if possible they will only be to willing to help.
Is this your first? If so goodluck for the birth.
Kay D

Re: Naturally Inducing Labour
Posted by: Kay D (---.orcon.net.nz)
Date: November 12, 2005 09:32AM

Sorry Fiona
I meant to say DON'T induce labour before time.

Kay D

Re: Naturally Inducing Labour
Posted by: Gaylene (---.dialup.xtra.co.nz)
Date: November 12, 2005 10:15AM

I am a midwife and my suggestion would be to let baby come in his/her own good time. When you are 10 days over due then that is the best time to think about doing some of the things you suggested. Normal gestation period is 38-42 weeks and we more than often forget the 42 weeks part.

I agree with the above writer get some help or buy in help . There will be a lot of school leavers out there from now on who would be able to give you a hand- maybe even cook up some meals for you to put in the freezer ahead of time.

Enjoy your baby when the time comes

Re: Naturally Inducing Labour
Posted by: Linda (---.dialup.xtra.co.nz)
Date: November 12, 2005 02:59PM

I've had two kids and both were overdue. With the first I was induced. I had to wait the 42wks before they'd make an appt to be induced, then had to wait another 4 days for an induction so a total of 18days past my due date which they calculate as being 40wks. And boy it was a LONG time.

Second child, I was exactly a week over, and cos there was no sign of him being ready, saw the specialist at 10am, nd an appt was made for an induction for 3days later. Then hey presto, a few hours later labour started naturally, and he was born at 4.15pm, after a 2hr labour.

With both the kids, tried everything you've been suggested, plus even reflexology where they do stuff to your feet. Also, going for a long walk, especially if there are stairs. Nothing worked with the first, and the second, I don't know if it did or not as the specialist was so sure I'd be in for another induction.

Mother Nature seems to be in total control of these sorts of things.

Good luck anyway.


Linda.

Re: Naturally Inducing Labour
Posted by: lynley (---.jetstream.xtra.co.nz)
Date: November 12, 2005 03:04PM

First child I saw the obstetritian that day - went into labour naturally that night, 2nd child I was due (not overdue) and took a couple of dessertspoons of caster oil (yuck)- within 1/2 an hour waters broke and bowels emptied (all happened really quickly) - contractions 15 minutes apart! - but then I may have been in labour anyway!

Hard to imagine this was all 18-15 years ago - seems like yesterday!

whatever you decide to do - good luck! I know how fed up you can get - and you've probably heard all this - but enjoy EVERY minute of it....it doesn't last long

Kissing don't last - Cookery do

Re: Naturally Inducing Labour
Posted by: helen (---.jetstream.xtra.co.nz)
Date: November 12, 2005 04:01PM

I really wanted to go into labour with all 3 children but all the hot curry did was give me even worse reflux and the hot sex was particularly hot in summer.
Neither worked!

I drew the line at castor oil as this can actually be dangerous.

I know it seems like a painfully long time to wait but as said above it is better to wait it out and let nature take its course and follow the advice of you LMC.

Re: Naturally Inducing Labour
Posted by: helen (---.jetstream.xtra.co.nz)
Date: November 12, 2005 04:01PM

I really wanted to go into labour with all 3 children but all the hot curry did was give me even worse reflux and the hot sex was particularly hot in summer.
Neither worked!

I drew the line at castor oil as this can actually be dangerous.

I know it seems like a painfully long time to wait but as said above it is better to wait it out and let nature take its course and follow the advice of your LMC.

Re: Naturally Inducing Labour
Posted by: helen (---.jetstream.xtra.co.nz)
Date: November 12, 2005 04:02PM

Also forgot to say that babies lungs etc... still develop in those final weeks in preparation for breathing so it is important to allow them to complete their growth cycle.



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 12/11/05 04:04PM by helen.

Re: Naturally Inducing Labour
Posted by: Fiona (---.orcon.net.nz)
Date: November 12, 2005 04:08PM

Thanks for your input ladies.
I'm not bursting to pop just yet and believe it or not I do love being pregnant, I'm just keen to have this baby a little earlier than my due date if it means I will be able to have it naturally and not have to have a caesar, because of its size. This is child number two and number one was big enough for me and I'm normally quite little.
Thankfully I have a fantastic husband who is wonderful around the house and my son is a wonderful helper too.
I know this one will come when it is good and ready - I was just interested to hear what others had tried! Don't worry I'm not going to do anything drastic at all!!