Thread: Getting active labor going...

Ok, now that we are all getting to the point of wanting tobe done, what natural things are you trying? Have heard of to try? Or has worked for you in the past?

With DD I ate eggplant parmesan and fresh pineapple for dinner at 39 weeks even, and labor started for me that night. It was probably a coincidence, but we're planning on trying it again this time.

Other than that, not much. Although I did climb a small mountain yesterday! But it wasn't with the intention of getting labor started, I assure you.

Absolutely nothing worked with DS, so not even trying anything this time! Just focusing on keeping her in a good position now that she's head down.

We arent actively trying to get things going necessarily, but we arent avoiding it. Dh and I are dtd when the apedmood hits us... Which we had been avoiding with my preterm issues. I have also been more aped to take the kids for walks with my sister or DH, Last night my sister and I got take out from the olive garden and I got egg plant parm... My sister had heard that it can get things going and we decided it would be fun to test the theory. I had a few contractions, but mainly it gave me gas, and more stools this morning (tmi, sorry). I do have some left overs that Ill have for lunch today, so we shall see another thing I may be willing to try in the next couple of weeks is using my pump. Speaking of which, i still need to get new tubing and the actual breast cup part, for it.

Another thing that friends of mine have tried, and Im just not willing to, is castrol (sp?) Oil. Ive also heard spicy food can move things along, but not sure thats such a great idea with my heart burn and general tummy issues lately. Ive also heard that cinnamon can bring on contractions? Im not too sure about eating pinnapple... I have a thing about the texture... Do you hace to actually eat the pineapple, or can you drink its juice, or have it in something else that you cook and just not eat the actual fruit?

I am interested in hearing what other people have tried, or have heard of. With the other 3 i never teied anything on my own. I am getting kinda sick of all the start and stop laborish stuff. Its really difficult to walk, keep up with the kids, and do all the cleaning I am wanting to do, especially now that his head is engaged. Not to mention the other sharp pains with contractions, and such. The other day I had some bleeding, and have been having more dicharge, so I know things are happening, even if they arent the pattern or way I have had them with the other 3. But, we still have a couple weeks, so in the mean time I will just do what I need to to stay comfy, enjoy my kids, my pregnancy, my Dh, and get what I need done done.

I ate eggplant parmesan and pineapple. Walked up and down stairs. Walked with one foot on a curb and one off. Walked a TON period. Used the breast pump for several days in a row (20 minutes on, 20 off repeated for hours for 3 days in a row) at 41 weeks. Was already drinking lots of red raspberry leaf tea. Was doing EPO vaginally and orally. (not that those two things bring on labor but certainly can't hurt) And I'm sure there are others I tried trying to get him out before my induction at 41+3.

Refused to try castor oil due to potential issues. Same with black and blue cohosh.

Originally Posted by alwayssmile

I ate eggplant parmesan and pineapple. Walked up and down stairs. Walked with one foot on a curb and one off. Walked a TON period. Used the breast pump for several days in a row (20 minutes on, 20 off repeated for hours for 3 days in a row) at 41 weeks. Was already drinking lots of red raspberry leaf tea. Was doing EPO vaginally and orally. (not that those two things bring on labor but certainly can't hurt) And I'm sure there are others I tried trying to get him out before my induction at 41+3.

Refused to try castor oil due to potential issues. Same with black and blue cohosh.

Yeah, I refuse to do anything to induce labor that I wouldn't readily do on any ordinary day. That ruled out castor oil and black/blue cohash for sure. I really believe that if any of these harmless things (eggplant parm, pineapple, walking, RRL tea, EPO, etc) do anything, it's only to speed along a labor that was already about to start. If your body isn't ready, they won't work. Only the 'hard-core' methods are going to work to get your body into labor when it's not ready, and I would just rather avoid those altogether, thank-you-very-much.

I have 10 more days until I leave town, so I am super jumpy about every little pain or pressure. I am really trying hard to lay low "just in case" which is really hard with my ridiculous nesting urges... And then even when I get to Homer (where I'm birthing) DH isn't scheduled to be there for another week so I am going to continue to lay low until he gets there too.

With Kostas I didn't do anything to encourage him to come because I just assumed I would go 2 weeks past my due date just like my mom did with all 3 of her births. So I just kind of settled in and prepared to wait. What a shock it was to have him on his due date with that mindset! LOL

Originally Posted by AkMomma07

I have 10 more days until I leave town, so I am super jumpy about every little pain or pressure. I am really trying hard to lay low "just in case" which is really hard with my ridiculous nesting urges... And then even when I get to Homer (where I'm birthing) DH isn't scheduled to be there for another week so I am going to continue to lay low until he gets there too.

With Kostas I didn't do anything to encourage him to come because I just assumed I would go 2 weeks past my due date just like my mom did with all 3 of her births. So I just kind of settled in and prepared to wait. What a shock it was to have him on his due date with that mindset! LOL

What will Kostas do while you are gone?

He's going to come with me because DH is a drug cop and his work is too unpredictable for Kostas to be home with him while I am gone. Kostas is going to miss a lot of school but his teacher is sending stuff with us and I think the teachers have gotten used to kids missing school for siblings since they stopped delivering babies 4-5 years ago here on the island.

Thats awesome. So the hospital puts you up in a house, or are you staying with family?