35 weeks here!

so i know we'll probably have to wait to week 40 or 41 or..., but ever since my doc casually mentioned getting the "green light" at week 37, DH and i are getting obsessed with delivering a teeny bit early (38 weeks would be great).

one friends swears by taking a 2 mile hike. another endorses eggplant parm (supposedly the oregano and basil do the trick). and we won't mind trying lots of sex

just for fun...
anyone have any success inducing labor "naturally"? i would love to hear the anecdotes. not asking for medical adivce, and i would really hesitate to medically induce (miso, etc) unless we had to.

There is a cranial technique in OMM called the "CV4" It tweaks the fourth ventricle in the brain and is supposed to start labor. You can look it up and have your husband do it on you once you have passed 37 weeks. Essentially he holds his hand a certain way and you lay your head on his hands and relax. Good luck.

I have no idea, as my second had to be pried out of my ribs via c/s at 39 weeks- first was induced premature rupture. BUT I wanted to say, if this is your first you might not know- you need to put a waterproof pad under at least your side of the bed. Lots of people rupture in bed, and amniotic fluid will NOT come out of a mattress. Good luck, it's almost over!!

Thanks for the responses. I'll look into it, Kathie. Great advice, residentmom, I had not thought about the mattress pad.
-K

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I tried everything I knew at the time to induce labor. No success. She was stubborn! I had to have pitocin when the labor did finally start at 41 1/2 weeks.

I hope it works better for you! :crossfingers: But don't feel bad if it doesn't.

I am not a Mom, nor have ever been preggers, but my friend said a spoon of castor oil and a hour long walk kicks off labor, (she has three kids and said it worked for all three). I have no idea if it really works or not.
Hail2queen

I have not actually researched this, but I have heard that castor oil is dangerous to the fetus. That might just be a rumor, but you might want to check. I personally don't think anything works until junior is good and ready to get out. :rolleyes: Walking will probably start ctx, but they usually stop when you stop if you are not in labor beforehand. It will happen someday- I hate that 35 weeks time, when you are so close but still so far! :banghead:

I am SO there with you. 36 weeks and I would LOVE it if s/he decided to make an appearance.. oh, say, Saturday. I'd be perfectly happy with sometime before turkey day, too!

FYI - Castor oil will give you contractions... some very painful contractions. But it will not put you in labor.

Sex can help (sperm is a uterine irritant). And nipple stimulation can cause release of oxytocin and start contractions. I wouldn't do the nipple stim thing, though, unless you get the ok from your OB. There ARE 36 weekers that get RDS, etc.

Linda

As I sit here--not so patiently waiting to give birth to my first child---I remembered this thread from last year and decided to revive it and complain about how sucky it is to be waiting to go into labor...at over 38 weeks I am ready now...we have been trying to get it rolling with a few of the above mentioned methods (no castor oil or nipple stimulation since I have read that they cause really painful contractions but may not start labor and who really wants that)
Anyway, I really have nothing to add accept complaints so I will leave it at that...
there should be a smiley face to convey impatience!