How Can I Induce Labor?

Oh My Goodness! First of all, giant congratulations on the baby and the decision to attempt a VBAC. But who is your doctor? He/She does not seem committed to your success, and although it's late in the game, it is still your pregnancy and your birth. I had a VBAC last year - February 3rd! My docotr was very supportive, although he did keep me level-headed by reminding me of the 50% chance of another c-section. What he did to help, though, was do an induction a couple of days BEFORE the due date. My first was born 16 days LATE because they refused to induce, and she weighed nearly 10 pounds and had an enormously round head - she was NEVER going to come out unassisted. Knowing about that, my docotr thought the best thing to do would be an induction to prevent another big baby. I was in agreement with anything that would avoid another surgery, but I still tried in vain to avoid a pitocin drip, too. So for two weeks prior to delivery, I surfed every single midwife website, read every book on the library shelf, and tried any and all remedies I came across. None worked. Even the ones that seem to help others with a pretty high percentage rate. I'm sorry I don't have the websites anymore, but you can google natural induction, and variations of those words, and probably come across the same information. Stripping membranes is a great one, but you need a doctor willing to help. Speaking of, maybe try being MUCH more vocal about your wishes and needs? He's afraid of lawsuits, plain and simple. An honest and open discussion may help the two of you figure out better approaches than a scheduled c-section! I'm sorry, I just cannot believe they've already scheduled you. I'm mad for you! His insurance claims should not dictate your birthing experience. Okay, I am pressed for time, so lucky for you, I won't go on. But also try castor oil. It is DISGUSTING. GROSS. AWFUL, ICKY, NASTY, UGH! But, it works for a LOT of women. Not me, not any of the 4 times I drank that nasty stuff. But it's worth a shot to avoid the operating room. I don't remember the doses, s look that up. I remember drinking the entire bottle, every time. EW! Black cohosh extract did start mild contractions with me, but they never caught on. I really believe my body is just missing the "on" switch, because even pitocin had trouble getting things moving. I hope you have better luck. Congrats again, and remember, no matter what the outcome - you will have a squishy baby in your arms soon! Nothing better!

I am of the opinion that you should ask your doctor what the medical indication of an induction is. I am going to guess you are seeing an OB vs a midwife because a midwife would not push you to induce.
I was induced w/ my first baby and 17 years later remarried and had another baby, now 10 months old. I was so afraid that I would not go into labor naturally.
Well, I did go into labor 2 weeks late, heck, almost three weeks and my midwives would have let me go as long as I would have liked as long as my placenta was still preforming properly.

I guess my point here is ask questions. I would not let them deliver prior to your due date and your body will let you know when it is time. You need to trust your body right now.

I have heard that castor oil works for some people. I tried it, and it didn't work for me, but I know some people that it has worked for. If I remember correctly, you mix 2 tablespoons of the nasty stuff in orange juice or root beer (to cover the taste, although you still taste it. YUCK!). You can look it up online to be sure.

Ultimately though, I truly believe that the baby will come when the baby is ready to come. I remember how anxious I was though. I tried EVERYTHING to try to get my baby to come early, and he didn't. I was induced 2 days before my due date. Good luck with everything! :-)

You are paying your doctor for a service. You do not have to have a cesarian - at this point. You may indeed need a cesarian but you are not required to have one just because you had one before. Just so no. Be strong. You would not buy a honda if you wanted a ford just because that's what was convenient for the car dealer.

Go get a pedicure; a really good one. It has been shown to start contractions. I recommend getting one at Jennifer Josephs Salon in McDonough; she spends an hour rubbing your ankles, feet and painting toes.
My DR stripped the membranes and within 48 hours i was in labor...
Good luck!

Hey try castrol oil. I did it with my last two and it worked for me. You can get it in most drug stores the small bottle will do the job. I do have to warn you that it is nasty it feels like you are trying to swallow vaseline yuck. I chased it down with a pepsi and that relieves some of the effects of swallowing it. In about an hour with both of my kids I started contracting. Well I hope that helps if you have any more questions you can email me good luck.

A.
____@____.com

I had a prenatal massage about 5 days before my due date because I was absolutly swollen and wished I hadn't eaten all of the ice cream that I did throughout the prenancy. The wonderful girl that was giving me the massage joked that there is a pressure point on your ankle that is suppose to bring on labor, I instantly had her do the remainer of my time on this "certain" pressure point on my ankle. That was at 6:30pm, my water broke at 6:30am the following morning. If it doesn't work for you, look at it as a moment to get a wonderful massage!

Hi S.,

Check out this link http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,5329,00.html. I found a lot of the things the ladies here have been saying are there. He explains why they work and could help you determine which one or ones, lol, are best!

God bless!

M.

Good luck with inducing. We tried everything including home remedies and doctor recommened--i was 2 1/2 weeks late so they were suggesting ideas too. Still nothing. I was induced for 36 hours before I even dialated to a 1. But then three hours later I got to hold my baby girl.

Hi I am a doula, a mother of 5, a home birther, and general birth guru. Because you are a vbac you have to be very careful with trying to induce at home. I would love to chat with you over the phone to give you more info on what you can do and what you should avoid.
Also I like to remind my clients and women in general that the DRS WORK FOR YOU!!! If you do not want to go in for an un-necasary c-section especially one schedualed before your due date- then don't go. Tell your dr that he/she can schedual but that you won't be there. They CAN NOT force you to have a c-section.
VBAC are safe and better for mom and baby=-)
Again I would love to chat with you if you want and I hope all goes in your favor for your birth=-)...M.

I completely understand. I had a C with my daughter, who is 22 months old. I asked my OB if VBAC would be possible and she said yes, but a C might be necessary if my incision "broke". I was overjoyed because, like you, I felt like I missed out on a lot of the joy of "giving birth". Not to mention the morphine made me extremely sick for about 9 hours after she arrived.

Here is an idea that was sent to me when my daughter was 8 days late...prepare a box of Kraft macaroni and cheese, put A1 steaksauce on top, and eat. I didn't actually try it because the thought made me kinda sick, but maybe it will work for you. Good luck. D.

Raspberry leaf tea may or may not work - some people say it definitely does, some say it does nothing at all. I think celestial seasonings raspberry zinger has raspberry leaf, and some of the herbal teas sold in the organic or health food section of the grocery store. I think you're supposed to drink it several times a day. Good luck!

They say Eggplant Parmesan from Fellini's is a sure fire labor inducer. Also, back in the day (and today for those of us who are weird) Castor Oil. Yep. Eww. Look up inducing with Castor oil. (some say mixing it with OJ is the best way to take it.)

Luck to you. I went 2 weeks over. My kid will always be stubborn!

S.:

I had a VBAC a year and a half ago and I am so glad I did. However, I had the same trouble you are in that my doctor was very vocal and discouraged me so much that he scheduled me for a c-section. I was dissappointed and finally decided to seek another opinion even though I was 38 weeks pregnant. I went to see a Dr. Tate who is a single practitioner who specializes in VBAC's. He hates to cut unless he absolutely has to and will work with you to have the best birth plan for you and the baby. Don't let anybody push you into a c-section. VBAC's are much better for the mother and baby if all works out. If your doctor won't unschedule the c-section, give him a call if you really want a VBAC, he takes lots of late term pregnancies for the same reason. He's in Norcross and his number is ###-###-####. I highly encourage him. After all I'm expecting baby #3 and I drive an hour each way just for him to be my doctor. Good luck!

M.

P.S. Not much really works in inducing labor but try everything. Sex, eggplant parmesean, and lots of walking!

I can't believe they scheduled you a c section when they know you want a VBAC. REFUSE! Babies usually come late-and it is very normal to be pregnant for up to 42 weeks. Your body, your baby, your experience. Please don't give in, you'll just regret not knowing what you could have accomplished if you stuck to your guns. My son was very late and I castor oiled it-it worked but he pooped and had Mechoneum (sp?) because of it so be careful. Try Blue or Black Cohosh, accupuncture, and evening primrose. You can give them a push, but really, it is up to the baby. Good Luck and congrats on wanting a vaginal birth.

More than 300 women gave birth 48 hrs after eating the eggplant parmaseana - they have a baby wall in the resturant...try it...it will be fun and a GREAT romantic meal check out the link - good luck and blessing to you http://www.scalinis.com/Bambino.htm

S. it's better to wait, the lungs are the last to fully develop. You don't want your little one stuck in the NICU his first days of life. If it comes down to Jan.31st and your still not ready TELL the doctor you are going to wait!!! Period! It's your baby and your body! They cannot make you go early!
Warm water enema's help if you are over due but they just stress the baby and you if you are not ready. Most babies require an average of the full 40 wks to fully develop.

Many of the previous responses are a coincidence or urban legend. Sex can help & stripping the membrane may help, but it can be very painful...
I would not let the doctor tell me that I'm going to have a c-section unless I am comfortable with that. If you want to try a vaginal birth then he needs to wait at least until after your due date.