Bringing on Labor to Avoid Induction

Updated on August 24, 2012
K.H. asks from Round Rock, TX
9 answers

Hey everyone, I need advice quick! . I am 38 weeks and 4 days pregnant, and having problems with high blood pressure. At my appointment today it was 158/96. I had to be induced with my son (who is now 4) due to hbp too. Luckily I am already 3-4 cm dilated and 70% effaced. My doctor wants to induce me on monday if I don't go into labor naturally this weekend. She stripped my membranes today, and told me to drink raspberry leaf tea and walk. She would rather me go into labor than have an induction. Any other suggestions to get the ball rolling. Sex is a no because my husband works out of town (close enough to get home in time for delivery though. He is about 2 hours away).

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J.S.

answers from Hartford on

Don't do anything dangerous like drinking castor oil. All that will do is give you and your baby inside you diarrhea, and it will severely dehydrate you. It's very dangerous stuff.

Honestly, don't "do" anything else to try to bring on labor. Most methods are old wives tales and the rest are really dangerous or ineffective. Just go about your normal weekend and take care of your older child. Remain as active as possible. Take walks. Drink plenty of water. Ask your doctor about anything else.

On Monday, before giving you pitocin or any other medications to induce your doctor can break your water and go from there. The act of breaking your water should be enough to get things going.

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M.S.

answers from Topeka on

Castor oil will not give your baby the poops. That is such a myth! If you are sensitive to it, it may give YOU the poops. But I drank castor oil with two of my children and went into labor the next day. There was no extra pooping LOL! Mix a little bit... about 1/4 c with some juice or tea. It's not the best tasting stuff in the world. And since you are already almost ready to go down there, it should work rather quickly. It will NOT hurt you or cause dehydration unless like I said you are sensitve to it and start having the poops.

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B.L.

answers from Boston on

All of these things can work, although will probably only work if your body is ready to give birth and labor just hasn't started yet. None of these methods worked for me with my second, who ended up being 3 weeks 1 day late.

castor oil
acupuncture (can be really effective if you have a practitioner near you)
eating nightshades (tomatoes, eggplant, etc) -- they are full of prostoglandins which stimulate labor
nipple stimulation -- you can either do it with your hands or with a breast pump. Be careful -- if they start very strong contractions, stop.
walking
there are ways to induce homeopathically, but if you're going to try that, you should see a practitioner, and be ready to go because they can be very effective and very fast
acupressure -- there are spots in the shoulders and feet that you're not supposed to rub during pregnancy specifically because they can induce contractions, which is exactly what you want now.

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S.D.

answers from St. Louis on

Well, walking up/down steps did it for me w #3. I've heard several people having membranes stripped and that worked for them.

I didn't think that being induced was that bad...is there a higher risk or something I don't know about that makes her worry about inducing...maybe riskier w the hbp?

Hoping you a very safe and happy delivery. Take care of yourself!

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Walk walk walk and do as many stairs (up and down) as you can.

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B.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Walking and exercising.

As far as the high blood pressure goes, don't eat anything with salt in it and drink lots of water to help flush the salt out of your body.

You'll have to read the package instructions to locate the salt. Any variation of the word "sodium" means it has salt in it. If you do this, you'll be amazed at all the salt you unknowningly consume.

I can raise my blood pressure 20+ points just by eating a big mac and a large fries because of the salt.

Good luck to you and yours.

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J.B.

answers from Rochester on

In addition to your other suggestions...
Pineapple (don't know why, but I read somewhere that it works)
Spicy food (might just be a myth)
foot massage/reflexology/get a pedicure

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M.B.

answers from Austin on

Grandma here... I'm waiting!!!

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E.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

Gosh so exciting!!! I was induced with my 2 boys, so my 3rd pregnancy I wanted to go naturally. I guess it worked because I too was scheduled to be induced on a monday & I started labor pains friday night & delivered Sat :) just in time! So I walked walked walked (at the mall) Then I had a tea Manzanilla & rocked in a rocking chair. I was supper stressed & that did it for me. Well I dont recommend the stressing part but I also hear pedicures help. Anywho try, maybe that will speed it up & if not dont worry being induced isnt too bad :/ Good luck

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