How to Induce at Home

Please don't. Baby signals the body when it is ready. I understand your predicament but induction of any kind is an interference with the natural sequence of events. There are a few rare circumstances that I think a visit to the acupuncturist to balance your hormonal system by working on your urinary system is ok. But even then, I would wait until you were past 42 weeks....ESPECIALLY for a first baby.

C. Hartley
www.trustbirth.com
www.ancientartmidwifery.com

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I can tell you what worked for me was a foot massage. There is a reason why you are only able to get "pregnancy massages" and that is because there are specific pressure points that can put you into labor. That is why a massage therapist is very familar with these and knows to stay away from them. Have your husband massage your feet and ankles and make sure he applies sufficient pressure (not torture you). Also, if you can get a hold of a therapist that is familar with pregnancy massages and ask them directly where are those pressure points. Also there are a ton of new reflexology salons that are popping up all over. $20 gets you a 60 min. massage. I had a facial on a Sunday evening with a great 20 min. foot massage and by 8am Monday morning my water broke. Good luck and best wishes!

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hi J.,
I know you're all that excited but just relax. Your baby will come out in his time. Enjoy this stage and believe me you won't be able to relax once he's born! hehe.. Congratulations and take care.

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Hi J.,

As some of the other moms have mentioned, acupuncture has good success with this, IF you find a practitioner who specializes in women's health and has experience specifically with these issues.

Also, try fasting (nothing by mouth except water, to hydrate) for 24 hours. This is a well-known technique in Europe among women who like to do things the natural way.

That being said, "first" babies tend to come later than the "official" due date; even 2 weeks behind schedule is par for the course. So don't let yourself be induced if at all possible, because the baby just might not be ready. Try the above techniques first.

Best wishes,

S. Ihrig, L.Ac.
San Marcos, CA 92069
###-###-####
____@____.com
www.lotuswellspring.com

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have you asked your doc to induce with pitocin? Igot induced with both my children and most people who do have the baby within 6 hours.

J.,
Nipple stimulation and drink caster oil.
P.

Another wives tale that I did not read the responses is to get down on your hands and knees and scrup your floors. What I was told is this position for you is a natural to get the baby in the proper position for delivery. So if he/she is not in the position, it would help. If it doesn't work at least you will have clean floors! Praying for you.

I had the same advice everyone else is giving, sex, but also one more. My doctor said to stimulate your breast, especially your nipples. I'm sure your hubby will be more than willing to help!! lol! Good luck and congratulations!!

All of the above. For a friend the red raspberry tea leaves worked...for me sex and for my sister walking always does the trick. Try them all...it can't hurt :)

I put straight balsamic vinegar on anything I could and it caused lots of contractions. If your body is ready that will help it along. When I say lots though I mean soak bread on lots of salad, whatever I could.

Hi J.

I hope that you have received some really good advice, seems like you had a lot of response. My only thoughts were to keep that baby in there as long as possible, it's the safest place for him. It will be God's will when he is ready! I hope you have a happy labor.

God Bless!

I'm with Michele S, I tried all those things and my son was born late anyway. They told us we would have to be induced and I didn't want that so we tried EVERYTHING. We did the nipple stimulation, sex, raspberry LEAF tea, black cohosh and lots of movement. Nothing. We had to be induced because Kaiser wouldn't let us go more than five days past the due date. That baby is not going to come out until it is ready. If any of these remedies worked for someone else, it was because the baby was ready. For us, sex worked with my daughter, but she was still already a week late (we were scheduled for an induction the next day).
But having said that, it isn't a bad idea to keep trying these things. They won't make the baby come out before he is ready but they might help him if he is. Plus, it just helps to know you're doing something to get it started instead of just WAITING, WAITING, WAITING!

Good luck!

Have you asked your doctor to induce your labor? With one week to go and hubby home, I would think your doc would understand and do it.

Good luck!

OOOOH yeah! I just remembered when I was reading everyone else's responses, that there is supposed to be a pressure point that my pedicurists would always religiously AVOID while I was pregnant. It's between the back of your ankle and your achilles tendon. Have hubby or some willing friend firmly massage/squeeze there...after you're accupuncture appointment, when you're done cleaning your house top to bottom, just before they line up your shots of castor oil. :)~ You'll have your baby by morning!!! Tee hee!

When I was young, very young, 18...my baby was due on Fri Sept 13....I fretted and stewed for 9 months, did not want a Fri 13th baby...On the 11th hubby and I had one of those really dumb arguments...so, I decided to take castor oil...took about 4 hrs and I was in labor...and it went fast. He was born on Sept 12....my next son was due on 23 June...the 22nd I went to the mall and walked all over. My water started leaking, went to the hospital and 6 hrs later had another boy, on his exact due date. My daughter was due on 4 March, and that is exactly when she was born, water broke but they had to induce labor. My youngest was due on 29 Feb, there wasn't one....I decided I would have him on the 28th...everyone laughed at me...but, at 1:47am on 28 Feb I had him. With 4 babies all born on either their exact due date or exactly when I wanted them born...I decided to quit having babies!
Balsamic dressing from Coyote in north Hollywood does the trick....women swear by it, as does my daughter in law.
Good luck...enjoy this time as it will never be the same.

If the baby is not ready, they won't come. That's why so many hospital inductions end in c-section. Same with "natural" induction.

Here's my experiences:

Baby #1 - 3 days from EDD, we had sex, I fell asleel and woke up with my water broken - ended up with a home waterbirth 29 hours later.

Baby #2 - nothing worked (but the only thing I didn't try was castor oil - horrible cramping, from what I've seen) He was born 4.5 WEEKS past his due date - but a very fast 1.5 hour labor @ home again.

Baby #3 - 12 days past her due date - a slow, incosistent 2 days labor and she was born @ home with probably 3 hours of hard labor.

I've been adjusted by my chiropractor during every pregnancy and even in labor (it did speed up contractions when adjusted in labor - from like 7 minutes to an immediate 3 minutes).

I took herbs, we had sex, nipple stimulation, sucking my thumb - to stimulate an acupressure spot on the roof of the mouth, acupunture on my toe and legs - certain spots, etc.

The moral of this post: They come when they come and really, try to enjoy every last moments of being pregnant. Enjoy this last week (or so) with your husband. It will never be the same. Have romantic dinners. Spend the day in bed.

-From a mom of 3, who misses sleeping in on Saturdays with my husband, but kids are worth it.

I tried a few different things. Massage....apparently there is a spot on the foot that helps to induce.I also did accupuncture.
Also the Dr. told me to drink a beer and relax. I think that the baby will come when he is ready...I tried everything and my daugter was born two weeks late. GOOD LUCK!!!

See if your doctor will strip your membranes. It worked for me...

Hello J., I was like you with my second son. My Doctor, after two weeks being past my due date, scratched the bag of water. I know it sounds weird but that's exactly what she did. That same night my "water broke" and I was in labor. You could also try nipple stimulation. I did that with my third (and final) son!! I hope this helps.
Congratulations, you'll love having a boy. I have three.
Good luck and happy (fast) labor to you.
M. A.

The breast pump! (the double/ electric one).
Good luck!

Go to www.bestdoulas.com On T.'s site you will find natural induction methods, I beoeive uinder the heading: avoiding an induction. Keep in mind that if your body is not ready, nothing- including pitocin at the hospital- will get it ready. If you are pretty close though,it may help tip you over into labor.
Good luck, and sending labor vibes to you! ;-)

Hi J.,

I delivered in an Alternative Birthing Unit in Detroit in December. They wanted to get my labor going because my water had already broken but I wasn't experiencing any contractions.

1) They gave me 4 shots (like shots of alcohol) of CASTOR OIL (at about 5pm). They were small shots - like maybe a tablespoon each (you could probably find dosing instructions online). Anyway - the castor oil gave me some heavy duty diarreah - 4 bouts of it. By the 4th bout I starting having contractions (11pm). My daughter was born at 2am.
2) The other thing they had me do between 5pm and 11pm was use a breast pump - an electric double breast pump. I did about 5 20-minute stints of pumping.

These seemed to do the trick. I remember the nurses saying that CASTOR OIL didn't work for everyone, but it worked just fine for me.

Oh yeah, SEX does help. Had sex the night before and boom-ba-da-bing!

Good luck. Have fun.

C.

Acupuncture can induce labor.

Is this your first baby? All I can say are that "wives tales" have a lot of truth behind them as they tend to be natural in their approach! You can try eating fresh pineapple, strong balsamic vinegar on salads and a chiropractor trained in the webster technique (Carrie Tanaka at Natural Chiropractor at ###-###-#### in Brea). You want to make sure that the baby is an optimal position, which a midwife and chiropractor can do. I was able to take herbal remedies because I had a licensed midwife.

Talk to your baby and encourage baby that they are welcome to come into the world. Your baby understands this and will respond to you. Do not get stressed as this too will affect the baby! Remember that the baby will come when they are ready, so although you can do all of these things, the best thing is to trust that the baby knows when and how baby will arrive! Just surrender and spend time relaxing and enjoying this part of your life, because soon your life will be forever changed. Do some Yoga, light stretching and rest, rest, rest!!

You can read some birthing stories on my website, www.bellysprout.com, to inspire you!

Happy Birth,
C. Funk

You have probably already received this a thousand times, but I have heard massage (certain pressure points) and acupuncture.
Good Luck!

Hi J.,
Didn't realize you were in NV & already had 57 responses - geesh! If you know someone really good you might try acupuncture. I was going to refer you to my Chiropractor but he's in CA. You could still find info on his website. I know he induced a couple friends of mine & his wife with acupuncture. Good luck & enjoy that baby!
http://www.lynottchiropractic.com/

a teaspoon full of castor oil i swear worked for me. the day after my due date, i had a teaspoonful and several hours later began labor. it was a beautiful, easy, healthy, fast first delivery experience.

I did all the things mentioned and more and my son was about 13 days "late". They'll come when they are ready - sorry to say!

Why not just enjoy the time with your husband. Go to the movies, lay in bed, go out to eat.. all the things that will be far from your mind in the very near future. I know that is easier said than done.

Congrats on your pregnancy,
M.

Sex is the best way LOL. When I was horribly uncomfortable at week 35 with twins, I went with my roommate to Blockbuster to return a movie, then to the grocery store to pick up ONE item. On the way back to the car I felt funny. It was probably a contraction and I didn't know it. I was probably to full of babies to feel it! LOL. 5 hours later, I was leaking amniotic fluid. The next morning, BABIES! I've also heard to eat a BIG plate of GARLICKY pasta with lots of tomatoes and a glass of chianti. I say...do all of the above. Have lots of sex with your hubby while he's home. Take walks, and carbo-load for the coming labor! Best of luck to you!

what really worked for me was nipple stimulation. it's tricky though, because it can cause really intense contractions...but at least you'll be in labor!! good luck!

Sorry to say but I tried everything and they finally induced at hospital with pitocin. My sis had a baby last week, 5 days overdue and nothing worked for her...her water broke. I think baby comes when they want!! Good luck though!!! Motherhood is amazing.

Hi, J.,

I would get advice only from someone with a medical degree or scientist with appropriate credentials. There ARE a lot of wives' tales on this topic. Many people suffer from illusory correlation. That is they think that because one event, going into labor, followed another event, drinking a certain tea, putting massage oil on their elbow, whatever, and they want to believe that the first event caused the second, they immediately swear that the first event caused the second. As an individual who works in research, I notice people in the general public jumping to all types of erroneous conclusions all the time.

I'd say just try to relax and let the baby be born when he wants to be born. My husband, who is a touring musician, left very soon after, an hour after, my kids were born, to spend two months in Europe, and I had a c-section with complications both times, but we all survived.

Congratulations and good luck,
L. E

I never tried it, but I've heard nipple stimulation really works.

I haven't heard that anything really is guaranteed to work. But with my baby the doctor induced labor at the hospital (because of the baby, not by choice)But it was definitely a great way to go! I was comfortable and able to relax. You should ask your doctor about it if you really want to have the baby now, he will be able to give you the go ahead or not.

I delivered three weeks early. But, the day I delivered, I cleaned our house from top to bottom - cleaning everything, even down on my hands and knees scrubbing the bathroom floors. Just as I finished, my water broke. I asked the nurse at the hospital if all of the physical cleaning I did made my water break and she said yes. Get busy and clean! You should have your little one in no time! Good luck!

scrub the kitchen floor on hands & knees :o)

weeding helps, too!

I took castor oil in the afternoon (my doctor said mineral oil can help too) and I also had spicy Indian food for dinner. That night I went into labor. So, I think those two things helped. Plus, the castor oil cleaned out my system so I didn't have any accidents during labor. Good luck!

Sex--The idea of sex probably makes you want to barf...But something in those spermies is supposed to help open you up. Fun!! Fun!!

I was dialated 3 for about a 3 weeks and I justa wanted to get it over with and my fiance refused to have sex with me towards the end...he thought he would hurt the baby...anyway i begged him and we did on thursday night. Firday morning I had a Dr. appointment and i was ready. I asked to go eat before and the I checked in. I asked her if that had pushed me into labor she told me probley did. Good luck

Spicy Thai Food did it for me!

Oh my.... Just have your Dr. induce you on whatever day best suits your family :)

First I will say do not do anything without checking with your doctor first. We did use castor oil. However, this was a very special circumstance and I would not do it again unless another circumstance like this arose. It does not harm the baby, but can cause the baby to have a bowel movement before being born. This is not harmful, though. It can also cause you pretty harsh diarrhea, especially if the baby is not ready to come. I've read just about everything on inducung at home and I've tried them all. When pregnant with my second, we found out that my hbby was scheduled to leave for Iraq on her due date. He did not want to leave without being able to hold her at least once. Honestly, he was afraid that if the worst possible thing were to happen and he got fatally wounded that he would be laying somewhere dying, knowing he had never held her. I know it may seem kind of extreme, but this happaned to someone we knew while my hubby was gone and so I was so glad that he had been able to be here. Anyway, so I read on everything and every one of them say that they will not work if the baby is not ready to come anyway. If that's true then you shouldn't have to worry about the baby coming before it is ready. Also, if you are considered full term then I think it's fine. But again, that is something your doctor would have to determine. As long as you are not possibly harming your baby in anyway, then I think it is your decision. I did try all the other stuff like sex, walking, primrose, red raspberry tes, etc, etc. Nothing worked and time kept passing. So, we mixed some castor oil in orange juice cause that's how we read to do it on the net. I threw it all up. So, the next day we tried again but put it in a milk shake. It wasn't nearly as bad and stayed down. That night (well about 1am) I woke up having irregular contractions. By 3:30am they started becoming regular and we went to the hospital. She was born at 9:35am. Just be warned that the side effects (diarrhea) can be really bad. I had a friend who tried it literally days after I did (she was overdue and heard what I had done.) It did not work at all and she was in the bathroom all night. Poor her. Her little girl was finally born about two weeks later by induction. Anyway, sorry I went so long but that's my experience. Hope it helps somehow.

Try eggplant parmesian. When I was pregnant with my daughter 5 yrs ago there was a news story about an Italian restaurant where the eggplant parmesain had caused more than a couple pregnant ladies close to their due dates to go into labor. I went out that night to one near my house! I didn't go into early labor, but my daughter did come right on her due date where as my 2 boys were both induced because they were taking too long over my due date. Maybe there is something in one of the herbs that is used in Italian cooking.

This may sound a little silly, but perhaps actually enjoying your partner being wih you will facilitate the birth. Things will change in many ways once your family grows, and this may be the best time to celebrate what you are to each other now.

DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT use castor oil. Not good for the baby AT ALL! Please do not try that no matter how many well-meaning women suggest it. It often causes the baby to have a bowel movement during labor, which, of course, contaminates the amniotic fluid with meconium which the baby can aspirate, and it CAN cause respiratory problems. You don't want the little guy to have tubes sucking poop out of his lungs as soon as he is born. Totally not worth the risk. Don't do it! Mexican food, sex and walking are your best and safest bets. First babies are notoriously late, so just settle in for the long haul. Enjoy your husband's time off as the last time you will be a family of two, a couple. You have a lifetime of being mom and dad ahead of you. I know you are excited... but try to cherish these last weeks of just the two of you. The baby will come out when he is good and ready, and honestly - would you want it any other way? Letting him come out on his own time table is one of the first gifts you can give your son. And it is a good parental lesson. Don't give him solids too early, don't try to potty train too early, don't send him to school too early... patience is a virtue, especially for parents. Congratulations on your sweet baby boy! I had four of those.

I'm not sure if you've gotten this one yet...Stimulate your breasts (ask your husband to do it) and get the milk to begin flowing. I've heard that it can begin labor...For me, unless it was a HUGE coincidence, it really sped it along. After having mild labor pains for 17 hours, I asked my husband to do this and within 5 minutes I started having stronger contractions. We head out to the hospital, and my baby was born 2 hours later. I was 2 weeks away from my due date, and we had been at a wedding the evening before my contractions started. We believe the dancing is what got them going. (Not too energetic dancing, either!!) Sooo I wish you the best!
I.

Hi J.,

I have responded to other mom's with the same question. It seems that it has worked for them all. It's called the Maternity Salad. I went there with my second pregnancy and gave birth the next day. They have a wall of all the mom's and their babies who have had the maternity salad. Here's the place.

Caioti Pizza Café
4346 Tujunga Ave. (Moorpark St.) Studio City, CA 91604
###-###-####

Good luck and Congrads!!

Hi J.,

With my second baby, a pedicure put me into labor and I had my baby 7 hours later. If it doesn't work, at least you have happy feet and pretty toes!

Steph :)

Massage! It pushes on pressure points that can help induce your labor.

ive always heard that walking - and lots of it - can help. even in the hospital they have you do that to help induce. i cant speak from expereince, both my children were c-sections due to the fact i do not dilate enough and im high risk. try a tread mill :)

Castor oil worked for me the first time. I drank it, experienced the horrible effects, and my water broke early the next morning. Lots of sex helped the second time around. Good luck!

Sex is the best way! Sperm helps loosen your mucus membraine thus your water will break. You can alos rub the back of your ankle - your ackeles tenden (I know I did not spell that right). It is what a Chinese woman told me. I thought it was funny however I asked a man who is an acupunturist and he said that she was right. Having a boy is an amazing joy! Enjoy every minute when he is tiny and all he wants is for you to hold him. My son is a year old and he is all over the place. I miss all the constant snuggles! :) Good luck mommy!

Well, this is purely anecdotal, but have you ever heard that spicy food can do it? I ate Mexican food on my due date for dinner (not trying to induce, I just love Mexican food and had no trouble eating it while pregnant)...and went I into labor in the wee hours of the following morning! Could be a coincidence, but if you like spicy food and can stomach it, it can't hurt to try. :) I think the best thing, really, is to stay relaxed and not focus too much on when the baby is going to come. And do walk, it may or may not help with inducing but it certainly helps keep your mind busy and your body moving. I walked during early labor too, which I highly recommend!

A friend of mine took castor oil to induce her labor! I also heard nipple stimulation works as well, good luck!

Please don't try to induce if it is not medically necessary. Baby will come in his own time, when both his body and yours become ready naturally. My husband had no time off in the first months and the three of us aren't the worse for wear. Would it have been nice? Sure, but in the grand scheme I don't - and didn't - believe it was worth induction.

I know it's hard to wait for your baby to come but really babies need that time to grow. I would just let nature take its course.

My husband had to start work shortly after my due date too, so I know how you are feeling in wanting to bring on labor.

First, don't stress about it.

I found that acupuncture worked very well. Not sure where you are located, but I went to see Dr. Berlin for chiropractic massage and there was a man at his office who did acupuncture. The combo seems to work wonders, though it's better to start earlier.

(I also sent a friend who was partially dilated, and that night she went into labor. I took a few more sessions as I was barely dilated when we started.. but, it didn't take long)

Dr. Berlin's office is at 6221 Wilshire #518, 90048. They do take insurance too. (they're also great post-pregnancy). Phone: ###-###-####

Also, if you're comfortable, nipple stimulation and lots of walking can do it very quickly! (I can't remember exactly how much, but I'm sure you can find it on line). You can, while you're walking, do curb walking too, 1 foot up on curb, 1 down -- my doula suggested this.

Good luck!!

I have heard that cough syrup thins out the mucous plug.

Have you asked your doctor if he will induce you? Most doctors will do this if you are only a week out and you have a valid reason like dad being there. I would be very careful of taking anything on your own not worth the risk. I would suggest let nature take its course but if you really want it induced talk to your doctor. Good luck.

Yes - chiropractic care, they work on specific trigger points. Our office is actually celebrating the 113th birthday of chiropractic today with complimentary adjustments for all. We're located in El Segundo if you're interested - ###-###-####.

Castor oil is supposed to work, though it gives most people diarrhea beforehand (didn't work for me; just made me puke). Spicy foods are also supposed to stimulate labor. Massaging the pressure points on your hands (webbing space between thumb and index finger) and ankles (near Achilles heel). Caioti Pizza Cafe in the Valley has a balsamic-based salad that has set many friends into labor, but you could try the same at home (the food is tasty anyway though if you want to just enjoy dinner and increase your odds of going into labor). What finally worked for me was a visit to an accupuncturist and chiropractor (my first). The thing with all of these methods is that none is 100% so you just need to approach it with a grain of salt and try not to be discouraged if it does not happen. Good luck and remember that labor will eventually happen, so get some rest while you can!

I beg you to not try Castor Oil and I will share why. I was dialated to 3cm for a week and a half and having very light contractions, my OB was going on vacation and I wanted him to deliver so badly that I chose to do the Castor Oil and it was awful! It was horrible going down and then when labor started it was intense right away for several hours and on top of it the castor oil causes diarhea... So, I we had our 4th. baby and our other three children were so excited to be there with us and see their baby brother and mom was throwing up, having diarhea and miserable from the cramping!! HORRIBLE experience!!

With my third child I went to the health food store and they had these pills that you put under your tongue, little white balls, and they helped me go in to labor with her in about 15 hours and it was great! I just can't remember what the name of the pills are. They are in a tube with blue and white wrap and you turn the top of the tube, it looks like a chap stick tube and when you turn the top the little balls drop out at the bottom.

Good luck!!!

I know the last couple of weeks are hard, but your baby will come when he's ready. Take this time to enjoy the silence, the rest, and your husband, because believe me, your life is about to change dramatically! Good luck on the delivery, when it does happen. Don't worry, nobody's ever been pregnant forever!!! :)
Whatever you do, DO NOT take castor oil. My friend wanted to take some, but my sister who's a nurse said absolutely not to! She said it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and ultimately a c-section! Just let nature take it's course and let your body do what it was designed to do.

I agree with Laura A.....100%! I'm sure you are anxious and excited to meet your new baby (and probably uncomfortable) but the baby will come when it's ready. And this is the LAST time you will be able to sleep in with your husband, and enjoy the time with just the two of you. So sleep in, read the paper in the morning, go to dinner and see a movie. Don't be rushed and just enjoy this quiet time.
Congratulations!!!