Kick-starting labour

[Kaz081992]

Anyone out there got any tips for kickstarting the labour process???? Have already tried the usuals such as spicy food etc and am starting to climb the walls!!!!

[Fairie]

sex should do it after a long hot bath and a curry

[spudqueen]

Also driving down a bumpy (potholey) road. But sex is preferable!

[boobesque]

i tried them all and needed a sweep to start me (and this is after having my stitch out to keep my baby in lol)

[annie0000]

Definitely sex - you need to plug the babies exit hole to keep the gentlemens special secretions in - if you catch my drift - the secretions contain something that helps soften and thin the cervix - I think!

[pixie_woo]

Have you tried drinking raspberry leaf tea? It is supposed to condition the uterus for labour. I have also heard that going for a long walk may help but I don't know why. From what I've read semen seems to contain a chemical which can trigger contractions.
I'm keeping a close eye on this thread as I am 28 weeks pg and so storing tips to use when the time comes!

[Pippa68]

Yup..semen contains prostaglandins ~ the hormone that is used in synthetic form to induce labour in hospitals.

I can vouch for this method. Both of my last babies were started off this way..just 2 hours after sex I went into labour!

The other tried and tested method is eating fresh pineapple ~ I haven't tried it myself but know of others it has worked for. I mentioned it to a woman I met in a shop I worked in. Her hubby came back the next day to tell me it had worked, and he gave me a box of chocolates in thanks :o)

[pikzee]

Dogs set me off!
You know the type - them horrible yappy terrier things that just dive out at you from their gardens and yap yap yap for no flamming reason!

In my case it wasnt that good a thing as I had to have C Sections which were booked and so ended up being emergencies instead!

Probably why I can't stand flamming terriers! lol

[Kaz081992]

Thanks guys, you've all been great. Have just had a big portion of fresh pineapple for lunch, having a curry for dinner which will be followed by a nice hot bath and ....... well... Im sure you can guess where my next thoughts were heading based on what the top answer on this thread is lol!!!! Now Im just praying he/she doesn't decide to put in an appearance on Friday (aka Friday the 13th!!!!!). Thanks again all of you. (P.s Do not fancy the raspberry tea, but will be drinking it tomorrow if this lot doesn't work!)

[Lily_b]

Let's see, what did I do when DS was late..
Curry, Sex, Walking, mowed the lawn(old fashioned mower which didn't pick up) & off roading. None of it worked.

Midwife booked me in for induction and I went into labour that night ;-)

[annie0000]

did anything work kaz or are you still waiting?

[Kaz081992]

Nothing worked :(
I have been in hospital for last 2 days where they tried various methods to induce me, that not worked either so am back home for one days rest and have to go back tomorrow to see consultant to see what to do next. This baby is very stubborn and does not want to come out..... think it takes after it's father!!!!!!

[annie0000]

Sorry to hear that you are still hanging on - hope something works soon - try holding a bar of dairy milk where the baby can smell it, it might just entice them out!!!!

[annie0000]

well?

[Kaz081992]

Well, am finally home! After 3 days of being induced (the drugs didn't work too well on me either!) I finally had a beautiful baby girl via emergency caesarean who we have called Caitlin. Thanks for all the advice etc, would probably have worked a treat if it hadn't been for complications with me that noone was aware of until the time came. Good luck with your little one Annie, hope everything goes well for you :)

[annie0000]

Congratulations - I am sure that she is very beautiful and such a lovely name too - my little one days are over - my two boys are 6 and 5 and I won't be having any more!!! Both of mine were c-sections, the first an emergency after 36 hours full labour - he was 9 lb 13 and was lying back to back - the second 13 months later was an elective section as he was also lying back to back and 8lb 3 (a week early) and they were not sure that the scar would hold during labour. I count myself lucky to have two healthy and happy kids but I have no desire to have another one! The elective section was a great experience after the shock etc of the first birth. I went into hospital at 7.30am then was back up in the ward at 9.30 with baby! Better than going in on Sunday night and delivering on Wednesday!!!