Need Advice on Getting Labor Started..

Don't take this the wrong way, but what you're actually wanting is for your baby to be premature. Perhaps not technically premature since you're past 37 weeks, but your baby continues to make *tremendous* advances in brain development (as well as lung development, putting on extra fat, etc.) these last few weeks, so if you induce for no medical reason you're putting yourself and your baby at risk for all the negatives of an induction for NO medical benefit. [One of the biggest risks of induction, especially for first-time moms, esp. for elective inductions, and esp. for pre-due date inductions, is a big increase in likelihood of having a C-section. Taking care of a newborn is hard enough without adding into it recovering from major abdominal surgery.]

Babies that were born by elective C-section at 38 weeks had twice the NICU admissions (mostly for breathing problems) than babies born at 39 weeks; and babies born at 37 weeks were twice as sick as those born at 38 weeks. Your body, your baby and nature know when it is time for your baby to be born, and trying to "get things going" either won't work (because your body is going to try to protect your baby from being born too early) or will cause more harm than good.

If you go into labor *naturally*, then that's a sign that your baby is actually *ready*, so there is no greater risk of complications to your baby after birth then. But if you try to induce (even "naturally", which some would question if there is any such thing as a "natural" induction, since by definition it is an intervention!), then your baby could suffer.

Just relax. Most first-time moms will naturally go into labor and give birth at 41 weeks and 1 day, so enjoy this time your baby has inside of you, because I guarantee you that it's easier to take care of your baby now than it will be after birth!

Your body is showing few signs of readiness -- most first-time moms will have their babies "drop" about 2-3 weeks before labor begins. As far as I know, there's nothing that can make the baby drop (or "lighten"); and since you haven't experienced lightening yet, that's another pretty good indication that neither your baby nor your body is ready for birth.

All of the above-mentioned tricks for getting labor to start might work if your body is already ready, but won't work if it's not. And it will tend to frustrate you that you're not going into labor yet. It's normal for a first-time mom to experience no dilation -- to efface completely without dilating.

Walking is a beneficial exercise (which will help tone your body in preparation for birth); sex is an extremely fun thing to try to get labor moving along and your husband will thank you (esp. if you don't feel like having sex for 6 weeks after birth); neither of these will hurt to do... but I don't know that it will help you dilate nor go into labor.

I would not recommend castor oil -- one midwife I know recommends against it because she is concerned that what makes mom poop might make baby poop before birth; and then if the baby passes meconium in utero, then s/he could swallow and/or inhale it which might cause problems (and certainly will cause your doctor and nurses to flip out). Castor oil will not make you dilate -- it is thought that the way it sometimes works to kick-start labor is by stimulating intestinal cramping which sometimes stimulates the uterus into starting to contract.

In my experience (reading and hearing countless birth stories), when women try to induce labor "naturally" by castor oil, herbs, etc., or artificially, they tend to have very long and tiring labors, even if they end up having a successful vaginal birth; but with some frequency, they end up having to have a C-section because their body just wasn't ready to give birth yet. Just relax.

Edited to add -- you're not even technically "overdue" until you get past 42 weeks. Your "due date" is not an expiration date -- just a working estimate of when you *might* have your baby. Only about 5% of babies come on their due dates; but only about 5% of women naturally go past 42 weeks gestation. Please don't evict your baby before s/he's ready to live on the outside.

2 moms found this helpful

Why do you want your baby to be 'early'? It'll come when it's good and ready (in God's time). I don't know anyone who got stuck with a baby inside them forever (except on Discovery Health! LOL)

When it is time and you are truly in labor, if things slow down, THEN try to hurry it up. I agree that a baby inside is WAY easier to deal with than one OUTSIDE!

With one of her deliveries, our daughter's labor slowed down significantly after she was already at the hospital to deliver and they had her take a comfortably hot shower and 'stimulate' her nipples (gently pinch, pull, 'milk', rub, roll them). This got her started laboring and things progressed nicely from there! Hope this helps if the baby's truly 'ripe'! Don't want a premie!

1 mom found this helpful

Please remember that your baby will come when it is ready and fully developed. At 37 1/2 weeks your baby is still growing. I know that is considered full term these days but ideally the baby would be closer to 40 weeks. It will arrive before you know it!

dont force it. baby will come when he/she is ready. however i will say sex worked for me

Walk as much as possible. That helped me even during labor. Good luck!

I used raspberry leaf tea 1-2 cups per day until the day I wanted to have her and then I drank too much tea and went into preterm labor. I went to the hospital and they gave me drugs to stop labor because I was still almost 3 weeks out. So don't do anything too drastic to try and have the baby early because it really sucks to leave the hospital empty handed with your big o belly and a bag full of drugs! So limit the raspberry leaf tea to 1-2 cups per day as it will tone your uterus and help you deliver your baby faster and without too much pain, when the time comes. My daughter was my largest all around baby (she was 8pounds 8ounces & 22 1/2"long) but she was the easiest delivery I had out of my 3 children.

I went to a midwife who recommended this to every woman. Take evening primrose oil. It is available in the vitamin or herb section or pharmacies or grocery stores. You are supposed to take two pills orally and insert one pill vaginally every night. It worked for me my son was 3 days early. It is safe and natural. Also sex can get things going due to a protein in the semen. Be aware that stress and waiting anxiously can slow things down so relax and let it happen.

Walking, Sex are good but when that baby is ready it will come!! be patient you will know when it is time!

Hay! Congratz on the baby and as far as labor my sisyer was in the same boat. She was almost due and didn't dialate at all. So we told her to walk and don't just get up and walk around walk up hills. Its some work but when she went back she had dialated 5cm and had the baby that night. I strongly encourage you to walk up a few hills to get the baby to move down. Let me know how it goes. -A.-

First thing, your 19 and this is your first baby so you still have a strong uterus. Second, you're only 37-38 weeks. Remember that your due date is give or take a week. Being tense about wanting things to happen will probably just slow them down. You need to stay relaxed. Walking may help. Caster oil most of the time will just empty your guts. Then you cramp (not contract) from having empty, irritated bowls. As for sex, if it's still comfortable, and you like it, try it! You might as well have fun trying things out. Besides, it will be a while before you get to again, anyway.

I was 19 when I had my first baby. I was three centimeters for three weeks. My baby never dropped. I tried the walking and sex. (I never wanted to give myself diarhea!)Anyway, for me, nothing worked and I was induced at 42 weeks.

You don't have much longer. Try to enjoy it while it lasts. And good luck!!

The thing that worked for me was accupuncture and reflexology. I was going on 41 weeks and the doctors were pressuring me to be induced and I didn't want that. The night of my appointment with the accupuncturist, I went into labor.

Speaking from experience being dialated and effaced means nothing about when you will go into labor. I was 3cm and 50% effaced with my son at 34weeks and he didnt show up will 37weeks 6days (and I was induced for medical reasons so he proably would have come later). When your baby's lungs are ready his body will release a hormone telling your body to start doing its thing and dialating and effacing. Sex where you both orgsam helps as the mans stuff has oxitocin in it which it a hormone that helps with labor and when you O you release oxitocin. Dont do caster oil you will probably just end up being sick and still pregnant. Your baby will be here soon just let it finish
"baking" in there so he/she can be born healthy.

C.,
Only being 37 1/2 weeks, I would think baby is not ready to come out yet. Believe it or not, your baby will come when he or she is ready to. Your due date is an estimated time line. I think relaxation is the best advice I could give you.
Enjoy your sleep before you get those really sleepless nights.

take care,

S.

Walk as much as possible but also look into a prenatal yoga class. Some of the poses will help ease the baby down, plus it is great for learning how to breathe and be composed and concentrating on the duty at hand during labor. I did yoga from weeks 20-40 and began dilating several weeks before I was due. I was already 3cm before I even went into labor. I also went to a massage therapist who specialized in massages for pregnant women. I'll admit it was a little rough on my muscles for a day or so but I got it on thurs afternoon and went into labor saturday morning. It could have been a coincedence but maybe not.

My advice is to keep that baby in there as long as possible! Once you get to 39 weeks - walk, walk, walk walk walk! I tried everything, sex, spicy foods, more sex :) and my baby just stayed in til 4 days past my "due date". every day in the womb is so valuable. i know it is tough, but just try to rest, and enjoy your last few days of peace and quiet. people kept telling me this and i was so ready to have the baby - this time around, (due 5/24)i want to keep the baby in there as long as possible. :)

The nipple stimlation thing is correct, for all the reasons stated. You'll really see why after the baby's born and you nurse for the first time and experience strong cramps! Sex really doesn't work, nor do orgasms(but it's fun though!) I was induced 8 days before my due date-I did it by whining incessantly to my OB/GYN! Prior to that, I tried some of the old remedies you mentioned-including blue cohosh root(don't waste your money)You're at the end or the road-hang in there and if this is your first, trust me, take advantage of the hospital stay and get plenty of rest-it'll pay off on those first few days when you bring baby home and find it impossible to sleep-best of luck and congratulations!

You could have a ways to go mama! I wouldn't stress too much about no progress at 37 weeks. Keep in mind most first time moms deliver closer to 41 weeks than 40.

That said, walk walk walk! And walk some more. It will help the baby move into position.

Congrats and good luck!

C., congrats on the bundle of joy! First, it's not time yet! The baby will come when it's ready, however, I do understand your wanting it be get here already!!!! I didn't like being pregnant except when I felt the baby move. That was the only "magical" time as far as I was concerned! In a couple of weeks, I would suggest drinking tea with raspberries...or just eating raspberries, that's what they recommended with my first pregnancy. Also, the sex thing works....15 min later, my water broke! Oh, and btw, I was 5 days overdue...hmmm, no to the castor oil, old wives tale and it really is more discomforting than accurate although I'm sure many older ladies would say it's the best thing. Warm showers with the water running over your breasts....helps to stimulate the natural hormone that begins contractions. Hope all this helps and again, I really think it's too early. As a nurse, it's best to wait as long as possible for everything to develop completely. Unless there is a medical problem that will jeopardize your or the baby's life, give it time. Take care sweetie, and get lots of sleep! You'll need it!

Do NOT do castor oil. My doctor said all it will do is give you diarrhea and no baby. Best thing would be walking or sex. Also, a massage might help things along to if you can afford one.

Congrats on the baby. My daughter, 20, and her husband are expecting a baby in March. Our first grandchild, a boy, and everyone is so excited.

hi. i have always said they will come when they are done baking. good luck. hope it is a piece of cake. i always loved being pregnant and having them. blessings to you and the little one. mom of 7, r. uhls

Ditto on everything Kathy P. said. Your baby's lungs are still developing and he/she needs every last minute in the womb to be born strong and healthy.
I got lots of books and movies from the library during my last week of pregnancy and just relaxed and read and watched movies. You'll be desperate for time to yourself soon enough.
I know it must be annoying to read all this "Just wait!" advice, but it really is the best thing to do.

First of all, DO NOT use castor oil. It may get your labor going but it also gets your bowels going. And if you're already in labor you might not be able to make it to the bathroom or you could push for the baby and evrything else will come too (I think that's everybody's worst nightmare!) What really worked for me and my first daughter is sex. My husband and I had sex for 4 nights in a row. I had only been 2cm dilated and I don't remember if I was effaced or not, but on the fifth day I started having mild contractions and by that night I was in full on labor and she was born early the next morning. So I would definitely give that a try, it's probably the most fun method! Good luck!

sex worked for me on my third..she came one day before her expected due date....Stay away from the castor oil and herbs and all that stuff, can be dangerous. Go for the sex (if you are up to it) and the walking..when I did go into labor walking helped me dilate/labor quickly.. my second and third were born with 2 - 3hours of arriving at the hospital...

GOOD LUCK but give that baby more time to cook :)

S.

Walking is good for pregnancy and labor, but I don't think you can get labor started without medicine. I know it gets tiring at the end of your pregnancy, but just keep active and the baby will come when it is time. I swam laps just 20 hours before my second was born and my friends say that helped me start labor 10 days earlier than my due date. J.

It sounds like your baby is not quite ready. I know how anxious you must be, but it will come when it is time.

I was 2cm dilated & having lots of contractions 3 weeks before my due date, but alas, my baby came on her due date.

Be patient. Babies that are inside are a lot easier to take care of! Enjoy the last 2 or 3 weeks of pregnancy, it will be over soon enough.

Hang in there & have a great delivery (when it is time!)

P. : )

If you are 37 1/2 weeks, you still have a few more weeks to go - let mother nature takes its course and don't try to rush things - better for baby to stay in as close to full term as possible. Enjoy these last few weeks and get as much rest as you can. Baby will be here soon enough and what a joy that is!!! Good luck, but relax and let nature do its work - if the little one needs help in a few weeks, your doc's will know what to do...

Nipple Stimulation. It sounds weird, but buy or rent a breast pump and use it for a few hours. This works better than pitocin that the hospital gives you and it all nautral. My OBGYN (who only does homebirths) had a woman whose water broke and she didn't go into contracions, so he told her to do this and it worked like a charm. I was still nursing my first daughter when my second was born (they are less than 2 years apart). My contractions were regular, but not very intense. My daughter woke up in the morning and nursed for a few minutes and my second daughter was born 2 hours later. She really speeded the process up!
Good luck!
Becka

I wouldn't do the casto oil. The one that I have heard work is sex...and it might take a few days of it. Then do a lot of walking. good luck.

At 37.5 wks, I wouldn't do anything to bring on labor! If you make it past 41 wks, I might have some herbal advice, but not before your due date & certainly not this early! Outcomes for babies born to early are just as dangerous as babies born to late! In fact, the most common reason for infant deaths is pre-maturity, not post-maturity! Just thank God you're not an elephant or whale, they're pregnant a lot longer than you will be!

Your 37 1/2 wks along.. you don't want to rush things if the baby is not ready. You may want to rush things along but it may not be the right thing to do. congrats on your first child

Walking but make sure you stay hydrated, plenty of water. If you sweat a lot then some gatorade type drink. Sex helped to but not alone.

NO CASTOR OIL!!! Too dangerous. My friend tried this when she was desperate. It made her poop and vomit and she ended up in the ER severely dehydrated on IV's for 24 hours and no labor. It's not worth it.

My mom swore by Italian food. I hope you have an easy delivery, Congrats!

CONGRATULATIONS ON BABY#1! First thing to remember C. is that even though you are frustrated and want it out NOW the longer the baby is inside the better. A baby gains the most weight in the last two weeks of gestation. But you really want to make sure the lungs are fully developed. Most doctors say if you are 38 weeks then it's pretty safe for the baby to be born. Now as far as your question...I've heard that "rough" sex will get things goin but personally I don't know. I couldn't imagine "rough" sex at 38 weeks. I would be way too uncomfortable. But each to their own I guess:-) A doctor that I work with told me that an emotional change would send me into labor. Now I was 39 weeks but it did work for me. My husband and I got into an argument over our 4 year old son. I thought he was being to hard on him. Anyway I ended up crying. That was around 10pm. My water broke at 4am. So though it sucks to get all upset...it was a benefit for me and my husband. He couldn't wait til the end because I was on an emotional roller coaster for 9 months.LOL! Anyway good luck and I hope everything turns out GREAT.

Sex worked for me!! I went to the DR on a Thursday - no dialation and a little effacement. Had sex friday morning and spotted a little. I went into labor Saturday night. Good luck - I think in the end the baby will come when he/she is ready!

I was a week overdue, and my doc said I'd have to be induced the next day. It was a beautiful Easter Sunday, so my husband and I went on a long, brisk walk. I went into labor within an hour after we returned from the walk.