Induce Labor

I am due July 6. My first born was 9 pounds 2 oz and this one is expected to be just as big, if not bigger. Doctor has suggested inducing to keep from having such a large baby and avoiding a c-section. I am nervous at the thought of having my membranes stripped. It seems painful and from what I've read sounds like it only works some of the time. I am also afraid that because it causes contractions, that it will make it harder to determine when I am having the real ones. (With my first I had none, then contractions started out of nowhere, immediately two minutes apart. He was born 5 1/2 hours later.) I go in Friday to see how things look. Last Friday I was dilated 1cm, but cervix still pretty thick. I don't want to induce or stip membranes, but I don't want to risk a c-section either. Any advice?????? Also can walking really bring on labor? Doctor says no.

The Answer by CP :
I had that done once. It can be a bit of a discomfort, but it isn't that bad. A few hours after my membranes were stripped, I started having light contractions. I went all night (stripped at about 5 pm the day before) with light contractions and started walking early in the morning. Walking DOES help! It helps your body produce stronger contractions thus progressing your labor. Besides, I personally feel it is better to walk through contractions than to be bed-ridden, and totally focused on them. I was induced this way due to a problem with the baby. I did have to have some pitocin to increase the intensity of the contractions, but made it through without any drugs. My little guy was born less than 24 hours after the stripping. This is how I look at it….nothing is more painful than labor. Besides, if you wish to have a natural child birth rather than a c-section, trust your doc and give it a try. Oh yes….with my first child, I went walking constantly and it did get contractions starting. It helped to soften the cervix (efacement) and dialation. I wish you the best! Ask questions and trust your instincts!

I have lost part of my mucus plug already, and I've been having a few B.H. contractions. I'm scheduled to be induced on the 30th and I really don't wanna do that! I would rather try and induce labor at home.

I've tried sex with my boyfriend, and it didnt do anything.
I've been walking which seems to help a little.
My doctor said not to try castor oil.

ANY OTHER IDEAS?
PLEASE!

The Answer by Grapeape :
i would just wait it out. trust me i know when your that far along u want it out now lol but just wait its the best thing. walking is the best thing you can do. and enducing isnt as bad as what alot of people make it out to be i was enduced with 2 of my babies and i was fine.

im 36weeks pregnant and if i go over due then i would like to induce my labor. can you give me some safe and easy ways to bring labor on? thanks

The Answer by Jennifer :
Walk a lot or have sex.

The fact is, you'll go into labor when the baby is ready, and not a moment before. It's not up to you or anything you do. It's up to the baby.

Have you tried reasoning with him/her? hehee

Just wondering what everyone has tried to use to induce labor, and what method is the most effective??? I had to be induced with my daughter and I want to try and stay away from the Pitocin this time if possible. Thanks!

The Answer by ERIKA D :
When I was pregnant with my second my doctor, swept my membranes the first time was a Wednesday and the second was on a Friday, it definetly wasn't the most comfortable. After each time I would go walking for an hour or two at the mall. Saturday morning my mucus plug fell out, I started active labor about 4:15 and my son was born at 6:29pm. My doctor had also told me sex helps, since when you have an orgasm your uterus contracts. Since his father and I were broken up at the time, that was hard to accomplish. But I've had lots of friends that say sex, masturbating, and walking help. I don't blame you about the pitocin I've had friends that got induced with it and there labors were more uncomfortable and a lot longer. I know once I get closer to my due date with this one, I will definetly be walking and having sex as long as my doc says it's okay. Good Luck!!

I am 9 months pregnant and the baby is 9 pounds, if I don't go into labor within a week, the baby will be too big and I will have to have a C section. The doctors won't induce my labor untill I am 2 weeks overdue, so does anybody know any safe way to induce labor {herbal tea or something like that}?
I have sex every other day, my husband will probably be sick of sex if it lasts any longer Also, I walk a lot and take a hot shower everyday. No succes

The Answer by Kate :
OK, there are several things you can try but nothing is guaranteed to work. A few things we suggest to people are, walking, nipple stimulation, and sex. There is a hormone in semen that can help start your labor. I know some midwives and other doctors use Castor oil from time to time, but that causes vomiting and diarrhea and doesn't guarantee labor. I hope something works for you, but if not, a c-section is not the worst thing. I have had 3 of them. And in the end what matters most is a healthy mom and a healthy baby! Good luck!!!

39 n a half weekd pregnant and just wondering if anyone has used pressure points to induce labor? and if so where are these pressure points? and how long after did you go into labor?

The Answer by AJ :
i know that if you have a lot of sex, or walk a big hill, or drink veggie oil, has been rumored to work. Could be a wives tail though. Wouldnt hurt to try.

How much castor oil and how often should I take it to induce labor?
After how long of taking it should I stop?
And how long after I begin to take it should it work?
I'm 39.3 weeks along with 4th baby and I've been suffering from diarrhea all day and feeling sick for a few days now-so I'm ready to get this over with.
My midwife claims my body is ready for labor and the baby is at -2, I'm 1.5 cm dilated, 40% effaced
never did it before.. and if you feel like you have to be rude don't leave an answer… use your negativity somewhere else
I had a sweep 5 days ago and I'm still pregnant- so it didn't work for me.
Why are so many people so negative in their replies- is this how you are in your day to day encounters with others?
FYI: all of my other babies didn't make me feel sick towards the end, didn't have me swollen and didn't make it difficult for me to sleep- remember every pregnancy is different

The Answer by missmeliss :
Don't drink castor oil! The only thing that will happen is massive diarrhea and cramping…I know from personal experience because I too was impatient…just wait it out! Instead try having sex, walking or stimulating your nipples to induce contractions! Otherwise, let it happen naturally…you're almost there! Good luck with everything!

I am just wondering how walking is suppose to induce labor. How much walking should I do to induce the labor? Did the walking really induce your labor? I am just tired and almost 37 weeks and just want the pregnancy over.

The Answer by Doula Kristina :
Walking can definitely increase contractions, but in my opinion won't start actual labor until your body is ready to start labor on its own anyway. It does, however, give you something to do to keep your mind off things. To pass the next few weeks, you can also try relaxation techniques like a warm bath (will help with pain), massage, heat and cold packs. You can also try distracting yourself which can actually temporarily lessen pain - baking, craft projects, housecleaning, visits from friends, and movies are great ways to pass the time. For what it's worth, I've been there - tired of being pregnant and just wanting that baby in my arms already. My take on it is that mother nature made us so uncomfortable in those last few weeks so we'd welcome the pain of labor when it started. Good luck - you are almost there!

Ok, so I have posted questions about thinning my cervix and it has helped some but I am still having horrible contractions and the doctor is not keeping me b/c she is saying the contractions are not strong enough to be considered "active" labor. I am 38 weeks and 2 days. Are there any natural remedies or "myths" to help induce labor at this point????

The Answer by ♥some♥wanna♥know♥ :
Yes,
Starting Labor with Natural Labor Stimulation Techniques
Some women are successful at using natural labor stimulation techniques to begin their labor. Generally these women are already showing signs of their body preparing for labor such as frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions, cervical softening and pelvic stretching.

One of the most commonly used methods for starting labor naturally are sexual intercourse, increased activity levels (such as going for walks), oral doses of castor oil, nipple stimulation and herbal preparations of blue or black cohosh.

Everyone says sex induces labor. Is it the penetration or the orgasm that helps induce?
I'm 37 and a half weeks… so my baby wont be harmed!

The Answer by Mayarosie :
The orgasm causes your uterus to naturally contract. But if he ejaculates, the sperm will soften your cervix (your cervix needs to be 100% effaced in order to dilate all the way to 10cm)
so either way, sex helps with labor
if having sex with your partner doesn't bring you to orgasm, don't be afraid to do it yourself!