[curious89]

Hi I've heard of so many things to bring on labour, or to get things started but do any of it actually work?

I've heard

• eating pineapples
• raspberry leaf tea ( started drinking this but tend to forget sometimes)
• sex
• long walks
• spicy foods
• different oils in baths

etc etc, Has anyone tried these and had success? or what other things have you tried and thought worked or helped?

[glowlight]

I did all of the above minus the oils. Bloody show started after sex then again BD next day things progressed and I woke up with contractions. I drank tea and took RL tablets religiously from 36 weeks but I doubt it did anything.

[Natbub0610]

I'm positive the sex thing worked with DD1, she was born 3 weeks early.

DD2 came 1 week late, because I was feeling unwell all the time (indigestion because bubs all sat high in my belly), there was no room for sex

DD3, had 2 fresh pineapples from 2pm Monday (slightly under-ripe or on cusp or ripeness) and had sex 3 times, contractions from 6.30 Tuesday morning.

Islander women have been know to avoid pineapples in 1st trimester, they contain an enzyme that causes the uterus to contract.

Our MW had 5 of her clients birthing that Tuesday morning.
3 by lunchtime and the other 2 soon after.

You can believe or not, coincidence or not, but I think MW see enough labours everyday to know what might work and what doesn't. I'm not saying it's gospel but it worked for me.

[Natttmumm]

A midwife with 25 yrs experience told me the o ther day that the 2 best things are eggplants to eat and get a double breast. Pump and start pumping 3 times a day .
In only 30 weeks so im not up to that stage yet but will be doing this if I go over

[Studybug]

I've heard sex and nipple stimulation are the ones to get it started. Something about the release of oxytocin when these things occur. Unless of course you're not into sex and nipple tweaking then I guess they won't do much for oxytocin release and therefore staring labour... lol

[raone]

Bubs was head down and pretty well ready to go for a couple of weeks before. I could feel him there so I would do this thing where I sat on the edge of the couch and sort of rock my pelvis. This I could feel was making him push down more. I also kept active and took extra trips up our stairs at home when I didn't have too. I could also feel him pushing down more with these things. I didn't end up going into natural labour as I ended up with pre eclampsia and was induced. But I am sure this is why I was already 2cm when they started induction

[chookpea]

I had a foot massage and DS2 was born the next day at 41 weeks. Highly recommended, even if it doesn't work it was heaven!

[elle-M]

Nipple stimulation. I sat on the couch and used my breast pump when I was 39 weeks with DD, and I had strong braxton hicks straight away that lasted all afternoon. I did this for a few days and I'm sure that's why I was already 4cm when I got induced (by ARM).

Once my waters were broken my OB (with 30 years experience) made me do what the midwife called nipple rolling - not just randomly but doing it consistently for 5 full minutes, then 5 mins off, 5 on, 5 off... etc. FUll blown contractions started one hour later and DD was born in an hour and 20 mins

It's documented science that nipple stimulation causes the uterus to contract (like it does when you're breastfeeding to help the uterus get back to its original size), but you may just be lucky if it starts full blown labour.

I think lots of things will "work" if your body is ready anyway. Can't hurt to try!!

[Honey Pot]

Well in the last week and a half I've tried:
- Stretch and sweep (twice)
- sex (most days)
- walking at least 5km each day
- mowing the lawn
- acupuncture
- acupressure
- reflexology
- bounce / rocking on a fitball (approximately 1 hour per day)
- nipple stimulation
- hot curries
- fenugreek capsules
- pineapple

I've had a soft and ripe cervix and been 2cm dilated for at least 2 weeks and bubs is 3/5 engaged. For 3 weeks my midwives and obs have been telling me I'm bound to have a baby any day now. I'm still waiting...

[pinkcupcakes]

with both of mine we did the sex+long walk thing...certainly seemed to help things along! for me personally i think the rl tea did help, i noticed a difference because of not having drank it with first pg. also took evening primrose oil in the last tri ( think it was 36 weeks)as well as erm.. applied it to nether regions... i think it helped internally but as for the external application.. well i still ended up with 4th degree tearing so not sure what effect it had overall.also did the pineapple thing ind 2nd prg n i think it had an effect.
like a pp said, i also think if your body is ready things will happen, but what's wrong with giving it a helping hand! all the best!