How Do I Induce My Own Labor

Hi C.~

I did the raspberry leaf tea. I bought a box at GNC and used 8 tea bags to brew a pot of iced tea and then drank the whole pot in one day. My water broke that night. My husband thought it was just pea coming out from all the tea I drank! We laugh about it now. I don't know if the tea actually did anything, but I like to think it helped. I was one week early. Good luck!

Hello C. I have not done this myself, however a close family friend did. She said walking up and down stairs brought on her labor. She was in the same situation as you and she said it worked. Good luck!!!

I drank castrol oil the laxative like 11 years ago and it worked..just a teaspoon a walk then followed by a hot shower..

I remember my midwife saying nipple stimulation releases the natural pitosin in your system. you can safely go two weeks past your due date if there's no stress to the baby. also, walking is helpful. good luck and happy labor day. Remember you are in charge.

Nipple stimulation worked for me. We did it continuously for about 20-30min. Both nipples at the same time. I took one an my husband took the other. It's not comfortable. But, not painful. Toward the end my whole belly tightened and within 30min I was in labor and my water broke. We put on a movie, so we could be distracted.

My son was a week late, so we did this a couple days before I was supposed to be induced.
Good luck! I hope it works for you!

I am a doula and childbirth educator. If you aren't even at your due date, don't wear yourself out trying to bring on contractions. The average pregnancy length for labor to come on naturally for a second and up pregnancy is 40 weeks and 3 days. Know that is just an average. The best way to avoid induction is just to say that you want to wait and make sure that if the doctor still wants to induce that he/she has good reason.

Also, I have had students/friends who try to bring on labor, and then they wear themselves out and are not able to handle the labor as well when it comes on. For example, if you stimulate labor to start at night, then you usually labor all through the night and are exhausted when the baby finally comes.

Talk to some massage therapists -- there are pressure points on your calfs that are supposed to induce labor. A friend of mine heard this and went to get a pedicure, so that they would massage her feet/lower legs. Her water broke in the chair.

Good massage therapists won't touch a pregnant woman until they have specific training on what will/won't induce labor. Find out if they have a special certificate for pregnant women -- they'll know what kind of massage you need.

Treat yourself to a day at the spa! Pedicure and massage....

Good luck.

I also heard an intense foot massage can do it. Relexology or Koreatown??

Good luck!!!!

My doc said sex is the main one. It's the one sure way to soften the cervics. I also walked, did pressure points, and raspberry leaf tea. My son came was two weeks early, and came very fast....they would not allow me to get the epidural:(

Hi C.,
Find an acupuncturist or chiropractor in your area that can do acupunture or adjustments to stimulate labor...it's another option! For a chiropractor go to www.icpa4kids.org

In health,

C. Tanaka, DC
www.naturallifechiro.com

Unless you have medicaal problems, they wont induce you until after 41 weeks. Also, it is your body, and you can refuse to be induced. If your body is not ready to go into labor, it will not, no matter what you or your Dr. tries. If our Dr. starts talking induction, ask what our Bishop score is. If you get an 8 or higher, you will have a pretty good chance of a succesful induction. With that being said, there are a lot of natural inductions. Check out www.bestdoulas.com , click on articles and handouts, from there you can read about the Bishop score, and natural induction techniques- she calls it induction prevention. Any time you or your Dr. do something to cause labor to start, it is an induction. I am also a doula and childbirth educator, so beleive me when I say, it does not matter what you or your Dr. does, if your baby is not ready, you will not go into labor yet. Please make sure if your Dr. does want to do an induction that you ask why, and understand all the risks to it. If it is for genuine medical concerns, such as preclampsia that is one thing, but if they just want to do it because you are full term, I do not beleive that is valid. Babies come when they want, and Dr's can be off on the due date 2 weeks either way. I am glad to see you are not wanting to be induced! Relax in the meantime. Stress and anxiety, as well as fear can cause your labor to not start on it's own. Good luck, and your baby will be here soon! :-)

I have not used this, but I heard about taking Castor oil (or Cod liver oil). Look it up. Have a fun labor!

Hi C.,

Acupuncture really IS useful, and some of the moms have given specific recommendations in your geographical area. It actually works best if you start at 30 weeks, but for many women you can begin even later.

Also...in Europe, women who follow natural practices sometimes FAST for 24 hours, taking only liquids. This seems to send a clear signal to the baby, and I've seen it work very well.

And keep in mind, if this is your first child, it's RARE for the baby to come "on time." Most first babies run "late" according to the "official" timetables.

Best of luck,

S. I., L.Ac.

i was induced with my first (terrible story, i was a month early too! how does that make sense?). hated it and wanted to go natural with my second, i had a homebirth with a midwife and a doula and everything! i was expecting my daughter to come early since i was dilated 3cm at 36 weeks, then 5cm at 38 weeks, but the days kept coming and no baby! i did NOT want to go past the due date so i would do anything i could that was strenuous or stressful. i carried my almost three year old son to the beach and back (which was probably about a mile away) and went swimming in cold water, bounced on the yoga ball, swung on a swing set, ate spicy food, the whole sex thing, oh and the whole time i had been doing pregnancy yoga or swimming once a week. anyway, i had a false alarm the week before she was born and my whole family came up early (3 hour drive) so they wouldn't miss the birth (i have very fast labors) but the week tore on and no baby, finally my mom got too impatient and said that she was taking everyone home the next day, i got so upset. the next morning i went into labor at 530am and gave birth at 840am four days before the due date.

with my last one in February, i didn't do the midwife thing cause it was too expensive but i expressly told my dr i did NOT want to be induced unless there was a life threatening emergency. and when my last checkup came on my due date no less, i was only 1cm dilated!!! i was so mad!!! i had not yet had a baby shower so my friend decided that that was why the baby wouldn't come yet, so she threw me a quick shower (my mom and sister planned one for me and never went through with it) anyways, of course i tried all those inducing ideas again! i also asked mamasource mamas! i think it was my first inquiry on here! most of them said spicy food, but that was the least helpful since i had been craving spicy food my whole pregnancy!! i couldnt get enough hot cheetos, or level 3 thai food!! (for those of you who dont know what that means, its one level from the hottest you can get!) mexican food was not spicy enough for me, i put spicy mustard and spicy cheese in my sandwiches and everything!
anyway, none of that was working. i was due near the end of january but when it became february i was sooo discouraged! finally i told myself i would do the one thing i hadnt tried, relaxing! so february 3rd came and my friend threw me a shower! that night after the Superbowl, i was putting the babys stuff away when i went into labor, i labored at home for an hour when i felt a strong contraction and my hubby took us to the hospital. an hour after we got to the hospital the baby was born a week and a half late!!

so there you go, basically what im trying to say is stay relaxed and that baby is not going to come till its ready, you might also try praying!

OK C.,

GO JOGGING...wait dont freak out! Little, tiny jogging steps. I did it with my first child. She was due in 2 days and when I jogged like that(very low impact)she was out and in this world in 24 hrs!
They say this, they say that, but riggorous activity, as you have probably known, causes labor at this stage. Sometimes even getting upset can cause it, but you dont wanna do that!
You're right...inducing is so hard, hard labor and unnatural. If you can manage to cause it on your own, do it.

Wendy

NATURE , Let nature take it course, why is everyone in such a hurry?....................

I had this problem...twice. With my first, the doctor ORDERED us to have sex. It worked like a charm and I went into labor right away.

With my son, we had sex every day the last week and he was still six days late. We were hoping not to have to resort to induction but the hospital wouldn't let us go more than five days past the due date before inducing. We did the raspberry leaf tea and I tried nipple stimulation all day long, every day for a week. I'll bet I looked absolutely ridiculous but I really wanted to get labor going. I even did blue cohosh (or black cohosh, I can't remember, it was a year ago). Nothing worked.

I guess he just didn't want to come out! I think that's the way it goes. If any of that stuff works, it's just a coincidence. Even with my first, she was probably just ready to go and it didn't cause anything that wasn't already about to happen.

But sometimes it's nice to try it anyway. Then you feel like you're doing something instead of sitting there waiting for it to happen.

Good luck!

I was induced and it is the worst-there is some place in the Valley that serves pizza and is known for their salad dressing to start labor on-I will try anything as my time comes close- there are also people who know how to massage in a way that starts labor-check around on that. Induction is evil and should only be used if it is really necessary!

Good luck-let is know how it goes!

Raspberry Leaf Tea DEFINiTELY worked for me!!!!!

M.

Dear C.,
Greetings!!!

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SOON TO BE ARRIVAL!!!

This is an amazing website for inducing labor naturally:

http://www.lifepassages.net/NaturalInduction.html

Spicy foods are also really awesome!!

Wishing you a beautiful labor and delivery!

LOL,
L. (MAMA to 43 week old Dylan Orion).

ankles ankles ankles... In massage the therapist is trained not to work on the feet or ankles-to be specific when a client is pregnant due to the fact that it can induce labor, so have hubby rub your feet and massage until his fingers can't go anymore. And yes walking and oh low back massage as well that will get all those muscles and ligaments warmed up to do all the work for labor.
Good luck!
Love J. (worked in the spa biz before retiring to be a Stay at Home Mommy)

Hi C.. Congratulations on the upcoming addition to your family! When I was nearing my due date, someone suggested that I try eating eggplant parmigiana...which was a great tip since I love it anyway. I had it the next day too (as leftovers) and went into labor that evening. I found a little blurb about it on the internet - sounds like it has more to do with the spices than the eggplant itself. Anyway, it might be worth a try. Good luck!

"Labor Inducing Eggplant Parmesan

One of the methods of self-inducing labor that's been sweeping the internet in recent years is the myth that eggplant will start labor. This maternity myth started when a news story began circulating about a restaurant in Georgia named Scalini's. Apparently the mothers of over 300 babies have gone into labor in the past 23 years, within 48 hours of eating the eggplant parmigiana.

The funny part is, it may just be that the dish causes the women to go into labor, but it's not the eggplant. The herbs Oregano and Basil have properties that may cause contractions, though it is not yet known how or in what quantities. This is why, in aromatherapy circles, these herbs and essential oils are to be avoided whenever possible during pregnancy."

Google "naturally induced labor" for some good advice.

If you are due on the 5th, then I think it's a bit premature to say that nothing has worked "yet". You are not even due "yet". And ACOG doesn't even define "overdue" until 2 weeks past your EDD.

FWIW, I had an unnecessary induction w/ #1 and it led to a c/s. For baby #2, I went 10 days overdue. My hospital midwife and Doula both suggested I take a hot bath and have 1 beer. I did that and I had contractions within 1 hour. Only 4 hours from 1st contraction until he rocketed out via all-natural VBAC. Piece of cake.

I've heard that twiddling/stimulating your breasts/nipples does this. That is one of the reasons they say "not" to breastfeed if you are pregnant...it can cause contractions...
I don't know though, I"m not a doctor.

I don't know what your situation is ....but, have you asked your Doctor for alternatives??? You should really seek his/her advice first... to see what is appropriate for your condition...
I guess you have a few more days since your due date is Aug 5th.

All the best,
~Susan

Don't do castor oilor cod liver oil! It was used in the "olden days" and it can cause the baby to empty his bowels during labor, which runs the risk of meconium being aspirated into the baby's lungs. I'm really surprised that a childbirth educator would suggest that. If you don't want to be induced, don't be induced! Simply tell your doctor that you are not willing to be induced. Doctors are not God. They are people who work for you. They are, in truth, hired help. You call the shots. Especially in this country, OB/GYNs do not necessarily know best. Try getting a doctor to induce labor in most "modern" countries and you will be out of luck, because it is not good for mother or child. And guess whose mortality rate is higher? Ours, by far. In countries who are medically advanced and even superior to ours, when it comes to giving birth, they opt for the more natural the better. We want it done faster. They want it done right. Babies come out when they are ready. They just do. U.S. doctors will give you a million reasons why it is good to induce, and most of them are absolutely not valid. Because it is NOT better to induce even if you think you are 3 weeks overdue. Be a proactive mom and tell your doctor what you want and what you don't want.
My first was 3 weeks late, my second was 2 weeks late, my third was 1 week late, and I actually went into labor a few minutes after midnight on my due date with #4, but since he was born in Switzerland where they don't try to force things, he was born the day after his due date. All were perfectly healthy. Babies emerge on their schedule, not ours.

C.,

I completely understand. I was told that with my son (my first last year), I would probably be two weeks late and induced since I was not at all dilated during my last week check up. I was devastated. I know you said that sex didn't work, but keep trying because semen has a natural hormone that is equivalent to potocin (sp?). I also walked about 3 miles a day. I was very determined to not be induced nor late. If all else fails, plan a dinner party with friends the night before your due date, clean the house, do the shopping, and be completely prepared. I was complaining to my husband how uncomfortable I was and that I didn't want to be late or induced, so we had a roll in the hay and 40 minutes later my water broke. My son was born the next morning. Of course my husband had to make several phone calls in addition to family because we had to cancel our dinner. Yes, that is a true story.

Good luck,

L. H.
Costa Mesa

I haven't checked the other answers, so I apolgize if this is redundant- I have heard both about massage and acupuncture doing the trick! I would personally try the acupuncture first (it doesn't hurt, promise!).
Good Luck!!

Hi C.. I tried Red Raspberry leaf tea, sex, walking, vigorous exercise, warm baths (water not reaching my belly, just my hooha), blue cohosh oil, and Kim Chi. My boy was still a week late. AND, he had passed muconium, which is often noted as a risk when trying to induce and thus putting pressure on the kid to hurry up. So I say, RELAX, and unless there is a high risk to your birth, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ACCEPT AN INDUCTION!!! DO NOT LET THEM FORCE YOU INTO AN UNNECESSARY INDUCTION!!! You have the right to wait as long as you can, as long as the baby is not under any undue stress, and you're healthy and well.

Here's what I did on Friday night I eat Indian because someone told me the spicy Curry would do it - nothing happened. I did research online about eggplant parmigan. So, on Saturday night I had eggplant Parigan from Casa Bianca in Eagle Rock and a glass of red wine - guess what happened - my water broke at 3:00am. It did the trick & was delicious.

Both of my daughters were late bloomers... I went past my due date with both. My doctors were going to induce but they first tried scraping my plug. It worked for both girls! I was in the doctor's office in the morning and giving birth by 7pm! It didn't hurt (I just felt pressure) and I bled a bit. But I didn't have to go and take medication to induce! Good luck and be patient you still have some time. I think the docs will go a week past the due date. Enjoy the quiet time, read a book, and sleep!

C.,
I'm surprised that Susan was the only one to suggest massaging your nipples - even though she didn't know why. Technically, it's a form of acupressure - rubbing, pulling, or sucking on your nipples, causes your body to release oxytocin, which is the chemical that causes your uterus to contract (among other things). If you get your uterus to contract - you go into labor. In countries where drugs are not readily available to the laboring woman, doctors will encourage family members to rub the breasts of the pregnant woman, to assist with the onset of labor.
I guess it's a lucky day for your husband - because I suggest sex with breast manipulation! Poor guy!!!! Be careful about having him suck on them, however, because you may start to lactate! Good luck. BTW, the restaurant in the valley is called "Caiote" and it's in North Hollywood/Studio City. They have a salad with some sort of "miracle" dressing that has helped many women go into labor (they used to be IN Laurel Cyn., but they didn't have enough parking). It's absolutely hysterical to walk into that restaurant, on any given day, and see ALL the pregnant women eating the salad!

Simply decide it is so, C..

Trust that your third knows the right time to be born and enjoy the process!

With much love,

T.

I had a cilantro salad - they're GREENS that are pretty bitter.. but it worked! i went into labor a few hours after eating a BIG cilantro/romaine salad. I was skeptical - but a good friend said it worked and she was right.

PLUS....this is a great healthy meal BEFORE your delivery ...your body will thank you and so will baby :)

Good luck with the baby :)

A.

My 2nd baby was born on his due date.. we had sex before we went to bed & my water broke at 3am. Hard to say if that's what did it but needless to say.. that's what happened for us. Talk to your Dr. He/she should be flexible about not picking a day to induce, as long as you're not over 2 weeks past due, & everything is looking good.. they should let you just go into labor naturally. Good luck.. & Congrats!

Hello C.. I wanted to say let nature takes its course. All of us who have had children already know how it is towards the end of the pregnancy, when you are just dying to get that thing out of you (lol) and also can't wait to see and hold your bundle of joy, but my advice to you is to wait. My daughter was due August 31st, and was born on September 10th. I waited that out, and had her the old fashioned way - when she was ready to see us! I can't remember my son's due date, but my doctor induced me before the due date, saying if he didn't, I would have to have a C-section (which I was terrified of) because my baby was getting too big. Being induced was ok for me, my labor was only 6 hours (as opposed to almost 12 with my daughter) and the only thing I DIDN'T like about being induced is that I felt like I would never know his "real" birth date. I know it sounds silly, but I wondered for a long time when he would have come if we would have let him have his way. LOL I'm pregnant with my third, and am in no way in a hurry for him/her to get here. I need my "me" time, before I get into the sleepless nights, etc.. So my other suggestion to you is, I know it's hard, but enjoy your time without the baby. I have a feeling you are in labor as I type, though. Best of luck to you, whatever you decide :)

If you're not due until August 5th, I don't see the problem. Let nature take it's course, and you'll have your baby before you know it. :)

try this website. it seemed to help my sister. but there usually isn't anything you can do to induce labor. it's just if labor is around the corner, there are things that can help it along.

http://www.maternityacupressure.com/acupressure-start-lab...

A long fast paced walk worked for me.

I don't know about inducing yourself. Maybe cleaning your whole house would work. But you have every right to refuse induction. I went one week over w/ my first. And I induced one week early w/ my second, not fun, cause I went natural.
Your baby will come when it's good and ready. HOPEFULLY not too much longer. GOOD LUCK!!

I took prenatal yoga at The Golden Bridge in Hollywood and they had many suggestions for inducing labor, including the name of the restaurant in the valley with the rasberry vinegrette. I remember being told that massage of the feet and ankles moving up the lower calves helps to induce labor.

Please don't be bullied or scared into being induced at the hospital. A very big regret of mine is that I didn't hold my power or my own truth to myself and was put on Pitocin without any contractions or dilation. My water had very slowly broken and I felt fine. The most uncomfortable thing was the hepcap they put in my hand for no good reason at the time.

After 24 hours when my husband had gone home for a quick shower they cornered me and insisted I go on Pitocin. Heavy and excruciating contractions came for 12hours without dilation! My baby just wasn't ready to come out yet!

Of course after all the contractions the baby was under stress and his heartrate would go down with each one. Right before the doctor's shift ended he said I needed a c-section. Naturally the hospital makes a lot more money with c-sections.

With all my heart I don't believe I would have needed a c-section had I not been forced on Pitocin which induces extremely heavy contractions. No matter what, I was completely delighted and in love the moment I heard my new baby's little cry.

I had my second baby in London where they were pretty hands off throughout the whole pregnancy. I only ever met the doctor for approximately 1 minute at the Chelsea/Westminster Hospital while in labor. They completely respected my wishes for a vbac. In England it is a midwife who delivers the baby. It was just a tiny older Nigerian midwife and my husband in the room for the delivery and it was the most empowering experience of my life.

All the best.

Hi C.,
I had no signs of labor with my second two days before his due date. Big brother was induced two weeks past his due date and I didn't want to go through that again. Someone recommended two homeopathic products so I went to Santa Monica Pharmacy, a natural, homeopathic pharmacy, and was given Caulophyllum, 200cc and Cimicifuga Rac., 200cc. I alternated them every few hours. I was in labor by 2am the next morning and my second was born at 6:30am, two days before my due date. The labor was fast, unlike my first. I have no idea how much whole situation is connected, and for you I can only recommend consulting a naturopath or natural pharmacist, because everyone is different. Just wanted to pass it along.
Good luck,
R.

Have you considered acupuncture for inducing labor? I have heard of many success stories, but it usually takes two or three treatments. I tried it myself, however, I only had one treatment and the baby came a few days later - before I was able to go for another treatment. So, I am not sure whether I can really attribute the start of labor to the acupuncture. Good luck.

Unless you have some sort of complication they won't induce you at this point. You can carry the baby for at least 2 weeks past your due date as long as things are going well so they have no reason to induce other than your own discomfort if you complain. Just relax and don't worry about it because worrying about it will only cause extra stess to you and the baby. Honestly, being induced myself for complications...it was the best birth in the world and I would do it again and again if it didn't mean having 100 children...it was a breeze for me. Don't think so much...who cares if they induce you verses going into labor on your own since it's all the same in the end.

I recommend -- waiting until AFTER you are due. If you rush it you may not be ready and need pitocin to "augment" a slow labor. I had my midwife sweep my membranes a few days after my due date. My water broke that night, but labor was slow and I had to work really hard to get it going to avoid the pitocin. What worked great was a giant staircase in the hospital -- the industrial kind with tall steps. So, I would say do lots of stairs (carefully!), and if you get desperate after the due date ask for a membrane sweep. In retrospect I would have been more patient... Good luck!

Hi C.,

Congrats on your new bundle of joy!!! When I was pregnant with my daughter, my midwife told me to use Primrose Oil. I only took 2 pills, and my contractions started. 32 hours later, my beautiful daughter entered the world. She was right on time..well, one day early, but not bad for my first. I wish you luck!!

L.

after my due date came and went, the next evening i took a teaspoonful of castor oil and began labor several hours later. it was an easy labor, great delivery and healthy baby!

C.,

Get a pregnancy massage!!!! There is a pressure point at the ankle and a good massage therapist knows where it is. Not only will you get a nice relaxing massage before going into labor, it's natural, and you're relaxed! Ask around for a good one in your area, and ask specifically when you call if they have someone that has success is inducing labor.

Good Luck,
H.

Hi C.
I haven't read all of the responses because I know you've received so many. I just want to say that everything that supposedly works to induce labor is just coincidence and probably old wives tales. Neither you nor your baby (and especially not your doctor) are in control of the birth. When the time is right for your baby to be born, it will happen and trying to force it will just make things harder for both of you. I agree with Dawn...Let nature take its course!

I know the frustration and anxiety of wanting the baby to be born (my son was born a week late and I had my membranes stripped twice, I worked out everyday until 2 days before he was born, walked, had sex, etc. The doctors tried to induce me 3 different times and I told them no). Just know that in the U.S. in the year 2008, a baby being born a week or 2 or 3 after the due date is still very safe for both mother and baby!!
Congratulations on becoming a mom again!! (Enjoy these last days of "sleep"!!)

Whatever you do, do NOT take Castor oil. It can make the baby have a bowel movement and cause a lot of unwanted problems, like the baby swallowing his own feces and getting pneumonia.

Hi, C.. I'm not a health care professional, but I can share that I chose to do acupuncture beginning the day after my due date to avoid being induced through chemicals (I schedule the appointment in advance). I did acupuncture every day to every other day and went into labor five days later. My acunpuncturist (who specializes in prenatal acupuncture) is Susan Minich in Burbank: ###-###-####. I've heard good things about the practice in Santa Monica (www.thetaoofwellness). In addition to sex, I've also heard from some people that walking is helpful. I personally think it's also helpful to relax to give your body the message that you're ready for the baby to come. I also know many friends who had to be induced and went on to have vaginal births. Good luck and best wishes to your family. --M.

You took me back to when I was pregnant with my daughter. My father took me to lunch at Spires Restaurant, hoping it would INSPIRE me to go into labor. He he he. Then he repeatedly drove over the railroad tracks. Did it work? No. But its a memory I've held for 34 years.

I have 4 kids (all delivered within 3 hours of getting to the hospital) and 4 grandkids. There is no secret, however if you are close, walking will help and so will sex. You can try the old standard of mineral oil in orange juice, it worked with my first one, but be preparded because it was GROSS!. Good luck to you, if your due date is accurate and your first ones were early, chances are this one will be too.

Try a pedicure with a great foot massage. That worked for me with my second son. I didn't even make it to the car before the contractions started! If nothing else, you'll have great looking toes for the delivery.

Hi C.,
I think they'll let you go 2 weeks overdue. I was 8 days overdue and I was miserable. I had friends and family telling me about Blue Kohosh, (I'm sure I spelled that wrong), Castro Oil, (spelling wrong I'm sure), Eggplant, Preasure Points, & Squats are some I can think of now. I can promise you that this baby will come out at some point. Feels like they won't sometimes though. Congratulations and enjoy the new bundle of joy...in due time.

Hi C..
I work as a massage therapist & use different modalities of bodywork. If you have a trusted therapist(get a recommendation from a friend)or maybe someone you have heard good things about who knows prenatal massage, I'd recommend going in for a massage.
You can talk with the therapist before hand and let them know you are interested in inducing and find out how comfortable they are with helping you. All it really means is working on certain areas of the body(around the ankles, calves, and some other points around the neck) that would normally be off limits to a pregnant woman(because they are known to induce). They are along certain meridian paths. You can also try someone who practices reflexology & accupresure.
This is a very subtle way to try to induce, really no harm. And the worst that can happen is you walk away with a nice massage.
I can only imagine what it is like being in your shoes(I'm due in Sept)and wouldn't want to feel that pressure either. Having that extra weight on your shoulders probably adds to(& doesn't help)the anticipation. I imagine your muscles need to relax.
Ask your husband to give you a sensual massage. Make a night of it; take a bath with some essential oils, get some body oil(jojoba or almond etc) and have him give you a relaxing massage. It should help simulate the oxytocin. I would bet that once you stop trying to relax and give your body the chance to let go, labor will naturally progress.

Best of luck. I'll be thinking of you!

Hi C., the best for you and your baby is let it happen naturally. My mom went horseback riding once, and once she changed the living room furniture around and that worked for her, but not very safe. What you can do is walk around the block everyday/night that may very well help, but do do nothing crazy, you have waited 9 months for this baby, let nature takes it;s course. J.

We tried everything my doula recommended and my son was still about 8 days "late". Your due date is Aug. 5th, most Dr.'s will let you go at least a week past your EDD - I was heading in to week #2 and I was attempting a VBAC, my Dr. seemed fine with that but wasn't going to let me go 2 weeks past my EDD. So maybe you have a little more time?

Try to relax, walk as much as possible. I heard their is a restaurant in LA or Orange county that sells a salad that has been known to bring on labor! I can't for the life of me think of the name of the salad or the name of the restaurant. OK, I just googled it and came up with the following post from Mothering.com:

I remember back in January seeing an episode of the "Wayne Brady" show where a chef invented this salad recipe which oddly seemed to induce labor in a lot of his customers. I guess now people flock to his restaurant to eat this salad hoping it'll work for them. I looked up info on it and found a recipe which is suppose to be the same as the restaurant. I also read that it's most likely the balsamic vinegar that does the trick.

Equal parts of:
Romaine lettuce
Watercress
Red Cabbage

Chop and toss together. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegrette (1 part balsamic vinegar, 3 parts extra virgin olive oil). Garnish with crumbled Gorgonzola cheese.

** I say it's worth a try!! Good luck,
M.

C.,
Massages can induce labor. I would go to a massage therapist who is certified in pregnancy massage, they would know where to press to induce labor. I go to a wonderful massage therapist who has given massages to nearly due and overdue moms and within 24 hrs they were in labor!

M. P

The third child usually comes with artificial induction within on week on either side of due date. Do not try to induce the labor. Let is come naturally.
H.

ACCUPUNCUTRE!!!!! I was induced with my first two girls (2 weeks late(ugh!) and 2 days late), and I was determined that I wanted to go into labor "naturally", so a friend of mine told me how she had accupuncture with her 2nd and 3rd and went right into labor the next day, so my 40th week passed and I made an appointment immediately - I told them that I was wanting to stimulate labor, and it worked like a charm. I had the appointment on a Friday PM at 4ish, and I was in labor by 8 AM this next morning and my son was born by 11AM - it also seemed to make the labor go pretty fast for not having any inducing drugs...Best of luck! Let us know how it goes. Sorry I don't have a rec for a good accupuncturist - we lived in Indianaplis at that time! I would give it a try -it worked for me!

I was a little over a week away from my due date with my first child and decided to treat myself to a pedicure. The massage chair that I sat in felt amazing on my back and I sat there for an hour. Needless to say, I went into labor that evening. I heard afterwards that back massages sometimes induces labor so maybe this is was did it for me. Good luck to you!

I googled & found some accupressure thing you can do. You have to squeeze the fatty part of your hand by your thumb. google for exact position but I believe walking is about the only thing. With my 1st I was having contractions but they told me I wasn't & that I was just going to get induced because I wasn't dialating. I didn't like that answer so I basically never sat down, ate spicy food for lunch & did the hand squeezing & went into labor that night. With my 2nd I had C-section cause nothing was happening at all. I think if you're having pains & you feel like she's wanting to come then you should be able to self induce but if she's being stubborn you'll just have to wait. Good luck.

Cod-liver oil did it for me, draw back...going to the bathroom and maybe lossing a few pounds by the time your done, taste bad....but it's guarenteed to work and work fast!! Took it one afternoon and had my daughter that night, August 20th!! She is 16 now!! And would do it again in a minute!! That is what they used in the old days to induce labor!! Good Luck and I know how you feel!!

V.

Hi C.,
I had a friend who was very ready to deliver and having a very sore back. I suggested she go in to see my chiropractor (unfortunatly he has moved) and she went into labor that night! Good luck.

Try eggplant, that should do it. Good Luck!

I do not know if this works but I have had people swear that if I went to the restaurant, Cosmos. There is one in RSM and I think Aliso Viejo and order the Eggplant Parmesan that you will go into labor the same night. Good luck!

There's a whole list of things you can do at:

http://www.bestdoulas.com/induction.pdf

Since you have children, you can take them to the park and swing on a swing with them and blow up balloons for them :)

And keep in mind that, according to the American College of Obstetrics (ACOG) your due date is from 2 weeks before until 2 weeks after the 'due date' your doctor gave you, so unless there's a medical problem, you shouldn't need to be induced until August 19th!

Happy Birthing :)

I remember when i was there! With my first i tried everything...even caster oil...NOT...NOT recommended. NOTHING worked to get him out! i was induced :(
With my second... at 37weeks i was just DONE! I started trying things...red rasp. leaf... primerose oil everyday...etc... at 38 weeks i tried the caster oil...hoping it would work this time.. NOTHING. I got a massage yada yada yada... i went into my dr and she told me...WALK!!!! not just walk... do lunges, go up and down lots of stairs... walk in the sand...
SOOO...that was on a monday... i went that night... tuesday morning for a little bit (I went walking around the lake by us, i did lunges, walked up and down a hill, pushed my stroller through the grass.....) and i went tuesday night with my sister. I just could not do it (i was getting strong contractions, but when i stopped walking they would stop) but that night, tuesday i just could NOT do it. so we went home and i went to bed, very disappointed! welll......... at 4am...my water broke! my contractions started at 7 so i went to the hospital ... and i had my daughter at noon on wednesday.
SOOO long story short... WALK...WALK...AND WALK! i really! believe it works!
Good luck!

C.,

I don't know if this would work if you're not already in mild labor...but I asked my husband to get my milk flowing. After having mild labor pains all day for about 18 hours, I asked him to do this and within 5 minutes I was getting really strong contractions and they were coming fast. We left for the hospital and my baby was born within 3 hours. Also, I wasn't due for another 2 weeks, but we'd been at a wedding the night before and we were dancing, so I don't know how much role the dancing played in getting it started. Good luck to you and your little one.
-I.

Anyway...these two things do not require you to take anything so they could not hurt to try.

Ok here you go... My Midwife suggested after 2 weeks being over due to mix Castro oil with OJ and drink it down quick it cleans out the pipes(meaning it really makes you poop) and puts you into labor. It worked for me both times I was over due and my second son came in 6 hours. I was happy my boys were fine and no harm done! Good luck!

FYI~ My gift to you and the new little one- send your birth announcements on line they arrive in the mailbox within days. You can upload pictures of the little one to send out to friends and family they will love it! try it out on me for free!
todaymyway.com

You can ask to have your doctor strip your membranes. It's not the most comfortable thing in the world, but it can get things going...

Honestly, I was induced twice now and both times, it went pretty fast...

Good luck!
-M

Hi C.. The easiest way to to go have a maternity salad at this cafe in studio city called Caioti's. Go to http://www.maternitysalad.com/. Another mamasource mom asked the same question and I told her about this place and she went, and sure enough when she updated her "what happened" she said she went there and had the salad and was in labor the next day. It really works! Good luck! And congrads on your newest member of your family.
M.

OK so I was induced with my daughter bot a big deal at all. just make sure you get the epidural... I also have a few friends who took Castor Oil(not engine oil) It is a laxative oil. You take 2 tablespoons and drink a whole can of pepsi or coke. You have a have a soda or it wont work. That will put you into labor. you can find the oil at Rite -aid its normally in a blue bottle... hopefully it works for you. GOOD LUCK!!!!

Being Induced isn't a bad thing, well not for me any way. I was induced with both my children, and had very quick labors, my last one was 3 hours with only three pushes. Don't worry to much.

I have heard the vibrations of spa pedicure chairs induce labor. I had a pedicure and the next day went into labor. You also have nice toes out of it and a massage!

Dear C.,

Oh now, just a darn minute. You are to be a third time Mom, and you know that 3 more days won't hurt you....and that you shouldn't be taking anything that your doctor has not ordered. Give the baby a chance. Do you have a scientific reason for not wanting to have the hospital induce your labor ? Check it out, see what they really do and use. Go on the internet, if you have time. Especially, I would say, you need to take a nap.
Amen, C. N.

I was the same way with my third. I drank a gallon of Rasberry tea and all I got was sick. I don't think there is a good, safe way to do it. I have experienced doctors wanting to induce and I insisted that they first break my water and give me about an hour or two to see if I progress before they start the IV of "inducung me". I never had to have anything, nature took over after my water was broke and I delivered within a few hours. Keep in mind everybody is different, but I really don't think trying to self induce is a good idea, I heard too many stories after I tried it and I was glad nothning went wrong.Good luck have a safe/healthy delivery to you and baby.

Your body can handle being pregnant 2 weeks after your due date. So, If you don't want to be induced, then don't. It's your body. The doctors may not recommend it. But, I was pregnant for 10 days after my due date. The only reason I had a C-Section was because I was induced. My doctor almost let me go home, but I went through so much pain already, I didn't want to leave the hospital without a baby. (it's a long story)
If I could have done it over, I would have waited even longer.
I was so sad that I didn't get to push my baby out.....
Anyway, goodluck with your babies birth, I hope everything goes well!

Were you induced with your first two? You still have 4 days until your due date and they usually don't induce until at least a week past the due date, so don't stress too much about it.

When I had my daughter, once the "safe" time to have her came around, I was doing anything I could to try and naturally induce labor. DH and I were having sex at least 2-3 times a day when we could (fun for him, uncomfortable for me), I was eating every spicy food I could get my mouth around (and suffering miserably with heartburn), and I was TRYING to take my pug for walks, as long as I could bear without outside motivation.

The day before my due date, I got lots of contractions, slowly they were getting closer together so I called the labor delivery ward. I got hungry and ate something, and that stalled my labor. Actually stopped it. I called the LDR back and they said it was probably because I had food, and they told me to "walk until my legs fall off". I did just that: I walked around my neighborhood but it was too hot outside (in February... gotta love California). So my DH took me to the mall, where it was nice and air conditioned. We walked for about 2 hours before getting another contraction, but then they kept coming and before long they were4.5 minutes apart and getting hard to bear. I went home, called LDR again and they said to put my feet up for a bit and see if that slowed things or sped them up. Once I sat down for a few minutes, my water broke and contractions went to 2.5 minutes apart and I couldn't talk through them.

So, unfortunately, I think the best solution is WALKING. I know you don't want to, it's painful to do, but it really does work. Have someone with you so you can get a little push once in a while, and so that if you get some nasty contractions you don't have to be going through it alone, you can hang on that person.

Best of luck in your quest for a non-induced labor!

My midwife had me drink castor oil. It induced major diareah!!! However, 3 1/2 hrs. later I had a baby!!

I'm a childbirth educator and doula, here are some things to try
- nipple stimulation
- castor oil
- acupuncture (Fay Jones ###-###-####)
- keep walking
- change of scenery (get your mind of inducing)
- explore any fears or issues
if you want more info on any of these ideas just contact me and I'll be happy to help
Also - if your dr wants to induce ask - am I ok and is the baby ok - if the answer is yes use this logic to try and buy more time - do not be afraid to speak up for what you want
L.
Don't be discouraged by the "horror" induction stories some women have posted here - this is not the time or place to post them and an innapropriate response to your question. Also there is nothing wrong with trying to naturally induce labor after 38 weeks

I say don't mess with mother nature. Let the baby come on his/her own terms.
I heard induction of labor is not good, if you eat something that stimulates your bowel movements you are constantly on the toilet with diarrhea, it's very irritating.
So, I say, don't do it!

My doctor striped my membrane (which I don't really know what that means) but I started having contractions 7 hours later. She also called it "a little tickle" but it sure didn't tickle!

Good Luck!

Hi C., I have a 28th month old son. I know how hard it can be to wait until the end but I wanted you to know that I was induced the day before I was due cause I was starting to lose fluid and I had arthritis so the Dr. didn't want me to end up going over my due date. Being induced is not that bad, it did take a long time for my baby to come out he was due march 29th, I went in on the 28th to get induced and he didn't come out until almost 1 in the morning on the 30th. He weighed 9lbs. 13oz. Everything was fine except for the fact that I tore when he came out cause I pushed him out pretty fast but being induced is not that bad. If you are only a couple days away then I would just see what happends. Congrats to you and your family on your third child. God bless you and your family.

When I was pregnant with my second child, my due day arrived and I did start the day with a walk with my son and our dog, then I went home and cleaned the house. Later that day I even went on our treadmill and by that night I was in labor. Walking and keeping busy did work for me. Good Luck!! K.

Hi C.:
I like the massage idea. I began labor with my first born,walking back from the store.My second,and your going to find this crazy....But,I nearly went through my entire labor with him,(PAINLESS) in a (VIBRATOR CHAIR) No joke.I was totally relaxed,and had no pain. After about 2 hours in the chair,my relatives suggested I stand up and BAM! They rushed me to emergency and I had my son 15 minutes latter. Yeee haaa .We should all have them that easy!The very best to you and your new baby