Fenugreek and Labor

When the baby is ready it will come. Do not rush delievery because there are problems that stem from it. Even the baby coming down the birth canal too fast will have ever lasting issues with primitive reflexes and sensory processing from not being squeezed long enough. Relax. Pregnancy and labor is temporary, do what is right and good for the baby so you can prevent problems. Remember to opt out of Hep B at birth! Very dangerous to a newborn!

hmmm never heard that. I started taking it right after birth to get my milk supply up, but I know once baby is full term it is safe to use(say a day or two before delivery- but I was being induced). However, it isn't typically safe in pregnancy(lactation consultant told me that) so I wouldn't take it for pain, only if you are trying to boost milk supply.

Walk, walk and walk some more, when your feet hurt then try some sex.

There are things you can do to help labour along, but if your body and baby aren't ready then you just have to wait (sorry!). I'm 39 weeks and the baby is super-low; I feel like she's going to fall out every time I stand up! But she'll come when she's ready.

My SIL tried to get her own labour going about a week before her due date. She got her contractions going and ended up on pitocin because she wasn't dilating. Then she had a epidural because her labour was so long - we're talking 3 days. THEN she ended up with a c-section because her baby turned during labour and ended up transverse (likely because he wasn't fully engaged in the pelvis because he wasn't ready yet). Not to freak you out but, for the most part, nature knows what it's doing :)

never heard of fenugreek being used for this. Every one hates the last few weeks just try to relax. Take a bath, drink some tea. Have some tylenol for the pain. Your baby will not come unless it is ready. Taking stuff to force the issue could end up in a c-section which is a worst case scenario in my mind.

Find a Webster trained Chiropractor and get adjusted.
Cannot find one? Contact me.
best,k

I've heard of fenugreek to promote lactation, but never to induce labor. I have heard of red raspberry leaf to bring on labor though.

As my OB once told me... anything that mankind does to try to kick off labor is a gamble... it either will or won't work... even pitocin sometimes isn't as effective... :-) Your baby will come when he/ you are ready...

I took the black / blue cohosh, drank rasperry tea, walked, did deep squats, climbed sand dunes, swam in cold water, swam in hot water, ate spicy, ate greasy, had the membraines stripped (didn't hurt and didn't work) and just about anything and everything that my hubby "heard" would kick off labor... But with all 4 of our munchkins I was OVER 10 days over due and had to be induced... Nothing will work until your ready.

My suggestion would be to TAKE IT EASY... When you can, go sit in a bath tub of nice warm water!!! Relax... Enjoy the last few days while you can... The raspberry tea and cohoshes are great for getting your body the nutrients that help make labor easier...

Just going to add as some other moms did already, I used Fenugreek to bring on lactation.

My oldest was born at 36 weeks - she was fine my youngest at 37 1/2 and ended up in the NICU for a week and a half - it's all a gamble. They did an amnio to see if her lungs were ready (that's the only way they can tell & boys lungs develop slower) so I personally think it's best to go by what the dr says. My water broke w/my oldest but they took my youngest b/c of her size. It's frustrating, we all know, but hang in there.

sorry you're in pain I'm surprised your midwife doesn't have any suggestions for you. What about red raspberry leaf tea? Another is chasteberry or evening primrose oil.
Good luck and safe journey!
remember to try and enjoy and remember every moment you can, it goes by so quickly!

You should try acupuncture (?) not the acupressure cause it doesn't work as well. I had it with my firstborn and gave birth 2 days later. Not only did it help bring on the birth, it also made it somewhat easier because I was way more relaxed. I've tried acupressure in the past and it just doesn't seem to have the same results for me. Good Luck what ever you chose!!!!

Hi, I know you are very anxious to have the baby and you feel ready because you are uncomfortable. But it's not recommended to try all these things to bring on labor. Number 1 most times it's a gamble as others said and it doesn't work - it only makes you feel more uncomfortable. I was on bedrest from week 35 and on because I started labor early. I also was put on Procardia to stop labor. Even at 37 weeks I was still taking it, however once labor began nothing was stopping it and he was born 37 weeks 3 days. We had the fear that he was going to be sent into the NICU - even though at 37 weeks babies are considered full term for some medically reason more and more babies born at 37 weeks are being sent into NICU because of lung development issues. Also, sometimes we are not always 100% sure when we conceived - you can be a week later than what you really are or a week earlier - that's why most doctors recommend inducing at 39 weeks and beyond. I had a lot of pain down there towards the end, I had to see my doctor twice a week and cried each time because he kept telling me we need to wait.... I was so miserable. As long as you have not lost your mucus plug and your membranes have not broken, take a nice warm bath (not too hot). Soak in there for a little while. When you get down get on your floor or bed and on your hands and knees rock back and forth - if the baby is in an uncomfortable position that will help move him. My son was transverse position and weighed 8 lbs until the day I delivered - beleive me when I tell you I know how uncomfortable you can be. The night before I went into labor, I rocked back and forth when I went into the hospital into labor they did an unltrasound and he was head down. Never was the entire pregnancy. So try to relax, drink some warm tea and take tylenol for the pain. Tell your husband to give you a massage and massage every where. Or seek a massouse who specializes in prenatal massage - it feels great!! :) Good luck and congratulations on the upcoming birth.

Have you talked to your doctor about induction?
If this is not your first child, most doctors will induce at 39 weeks. It depends on the doctor, some will offer it to you if you're really miserable, and some won't unless you ask. (I asked.)

I was induced at 39 weeks with my second and it went very smoothly. Perfectly healthy little girl.

I have never heard of fenugreek for labor. Fenugreek for milk production yes, but not labor. Honestly there are a lot of misconceptions about labor, some of which many of us have heard...and not heard. I read a beautiful article about how labor begins and it is the baby and hormones that are released that actually begin labor. Once labor begins, there are some things we can do like walking for example to help bring on the contractions stronger. This was the case with my second pregnancy. My labor began with the start of contractions and continued throughout the morning and early afternoon but at some point my contractions become farther apart until they stopped. I knew I was in labor, that it was not false labor so my husband and I went for a walk around our neighborhood and sure enough, the contractions started up again and became stronger and closer together. I had my baby that night! As for what can you do to "induce" labor, aside from medical interventions, I have not heard of anything that triggers labor other than what triggers it naturally and that is the baby and the hormones in our bodies. 38 weeks is not bad. Give it time, you are almost there. It will happen soon enough.

Where is your unbearable pain? My son (2nd baby and 10 lbs) was wedged in to an uncomfortable position in my last few weeks and while is was uncomfortable I didn't have pain. Your baby must be leaning against a nerve. Try being on your hands and knees on your bed to take the pressure off. Sounds wierd but it might help get baby into another position.

I was told that orgasms and nipple stimulation will bring on contractions. I know my husband was not interested and a little afraid of going near me in those last few weeks - so try other alternatives to get to the same place. They make battery operated things that might help.

Good luck!

Try reflexology. It worked really well for me with my first and I plan on having my massage therapist friend do it again when I'm at the end of this pregnancy. Good luck!