Give me every old wives' tale you've ever heard for inducing labor!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I am READY to have this baby and I'm too impatient to wait for the official induction! Give me all you got!

[Anonymous]

This is what I heard but don't know if any of it works:
- have sex
- eat spicy food
- go for a long walk
- do acupuncture (sth about massaging the ankle??)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is what I heard but don't know if any of it works:
- have sex
- eat spicy food
- go for a long walk
- do acupuncture (sth about massaging the ankle??)

These. And have a gin and tonic.

[Anonymous]

All of the above plus:

-- Oral Sex/Nipple Stimulation (basically, if you can be aroused then it will/could promote uterine contractions as in an orgasm)
-- Castor Oil (be prepared for diarrhea and stomach cramps potentially
-- Massage
-- Yoga

[Anonymous]

I've called Red Door Spa to see if they'd do a reflexology massage on me, but they won't if you're pregnant. Anyone know a spa in the area who will?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
- do acupuncture (sth about massaging the ankle??)

It's the inner ankle. Google for the right placement, or go to an acupuncturist.

[Anonymous]

Chiropractic adjustment, C- something or another - C-6 maybe. I can't remember but my chiro did't adjust there while I was pregnant.

[Anonymous]

eat pineapple...something about an enzyme it contains.

Pineapple is said to induce labor as well. Pineapple, as well as papaya and mango, contain a proteolytic enzyme called bromelain. When bromelain is consumed with meals, it assists in the digestion of proteins.

When taken on an empty stomach, bromelain acts medicinally as an anti-inflammatory agent. Therefore, naturopathic medicine uses this enzyme to reduce pain and swelling.

The mechanism by which pineapple contributes to inducing labor might be the proteolytic action of bromelain. Bromelain might help to soften the connective tissue of the cervix and, thus, bring on labor.

Because bromelain is destroyed in the production process of canned pineapple, you should consume only fresh pineapple flesh if you are trying to induce labor with pineapple.


http://www.savvy-baby-gear.com/baby-articles/self-induce-labor/

[Anonymous]

I asked my dr if any of the old wives tales had any credibility - the response was that there is evidence that sex does help bring on labor.

Both times I went into labor, earlier in the day I did a lot of walking.
Labor #1 - walked the entire zoo as well as too /from dinner.
Labor #2 - walked all around the tidal basin for the Cherry Blossom festival (as well as too / from the car).

I would guess that it was a good 2+ miles that I did each of those days.

[Anonymous]

Sex (Italian Induction)
Pineapple (Hawaiian Induction)
Chili (Mexican Induction)

Feel free to add...

[Anonymous]

Jennifer Moore will do a reflexology session:

www.moorethanyoga.com

You could also try evening primrose oil (orally or vaginally), depending how far along you are. I think my midwife had me start taking it orally around 36 weeks or so with the last pregnancy.

No idea if it had anything to do with getting labor started, but I took a warm (not hot) relaxing bath in a jet tub the night before my water broke.

[Anonymous]

supposedly oregano and basil. two days before my colleagues scheduled induction, i mentioned an eggplant parmesan recipes with lots of these herbs that was supposed to bring on labor (she added hot pepper too). Cooked it, at went into labor at 4 am. then again, she was 41 1/2 weeks. But hey, if you like italian food, can't hurt! I'm only 38 weeks but here's my "get baby out plan" if I go past due date and they're talking induction.

Long walk, followed by massage or yoga to loosen pelvis, followed by spicy eggplant parmesan (and hell, a glass of wine at this point!), followed by sex, repeat as necessary. actually, we might start this weekend, it sounds rather nice.

[Anonymous]

Redneck solution: go off-roading.
I've also heard the gin and tonic one before, too.

[Anonymous]

I am due on Thursday and am starting to try all of these! I am not the OP but am so happy to hear of others that feel the same way I do!

[Anonymous]

I was due on March 1, had a c/s scheduled for 2/27 (breech baby). 2/19 I had my baby shower thrown for me! I ate as much as my nine-month pregnant tummy could hold...cake, ice cream, little sandwiches. Well, I went into labor the next morning. So...gorge!