Help To Bring On Labour

[Kerry35]

Does anyone have any suggestions or old fashion remedies on how to bring on labour naturally (castor oil was one suggestion - but how much do you take?)

My sister's bub is overdue and she would like some ideas.

[Briannabear]

There is actually another thread on this somewhere....
Rasberry Leaf Tea, hot + spicy food, laughter, + sex (:rolleyes: ) to name a few!

[HoneyBlossom]

Hi Kerry35
I used castor oil to bring on dd2. I actually had to have the whole bottle, (it was disgusting but it worked). I drunk half in the morning and the rest in the afternoon, went for a warm relaxing bath and walked around alot. Went to bed and then at 1.30am i was in labour.
Wish your sister all the best!

[Briannabear]

Hi Kerry35
I used castor oil to bring on dd2. I actually had to have the whole bottle, (it was disgusting but it worked).
Gross! (at least it worked though!) ;)

[HoneyBlossom]

Hi Briannabear

It was trust me! But it did work and thank god i did do it or she wouldn't be here today. I just drank lots of OJ after wards. And brushed my teeth don't know how many times :p

[jaydensmum]

I used pretty much everything. I drank raspberry leaf tea for 2 months, walking, bedroom activites, evening primrose oil, hot curries you name it I done it. The only thing i didnt do was drink castor oil, they actually dont recommend it anymore. She could try these things and see how she goes. I will admit though none of these things worked. Jayden was 10 days overdue and he still didnt want to come out. :)

jaydensmum.

[Crazyfamily]

I went to a natuapath when I was overdue and she told me to drink rasberry leaf tea. Not just a few cups. Make it up and drink it like it is water. glass after glass after glass. It tasts yuck. You can drink it chilled so you can do it quickly. I really didn't like the taste so I could only stomach about 8 glasses that day and although i didn't go into labour when I got to hosp to be induced two days later I was already 5 cm dilated and had no pain. I can't say it was because I drank the tea but I can't say it wasn't. I do know I was very happy to find out I was already half way there before a contraction and i had a lquick birth. She assured me that if it didn't work it won't harm the baby so i fugured it was worth a try.

[LittleBoysRock]

I tried EVERYTHING to bring on my labour and I mean everything. I took Raspberry leaf tablets, ate chilli, ate curry, fresh pineapple, sex, brisk walking.... Castor oil can apparently make the babies bowels open ( passing mecconium which can then cause fetal distress. I didnt try it as I figured it wasnt worth the risk).

I went 4 days over with my baby and went into labour naturally. I am glad I didnt get induce because now I know what it feels like when your waters break etc.

The last weeks of pregnancy are not pleasant( esp if your sister is carrying a big baby..mine 9lb 4oz) but I would reccomend just letting bub come with it is ready. It is worth the wait!

Goodluck with it all. Keep Smiling! :D

[Jamily]

I totally agree with Monyfelix - I was 10 days overdue which was SO FRUSTRATING but there was no way I was risking bubs with castor oil. I tried absolutely everything to get things going. I had 2 sweeps and I think the second one kicked me off....that and the threat of an induction!

As Monyfelix said, it will be worth the wait, but I sure know how your sister feels! :)

[RuthK]

I found none of the regular remedies worked and as time went on (I was early, but very impatient) I became more and more stressed about it.

Eventually I gave up being stressed and just chilled (a good video, going to the movies, anything to take your mind off it) and the next day I had a baby, both times!

I think your body knows that you're stressed and won't inflict labour upon an already stressed body.

[JanetF]

You know, babies come on their birthdays and only they know when that is. Pregnancies don't run to timetables and only 5% come on the guesstimated day. Term is 38-42 weeks so until your sister is over 42 weeks gestation, she's actually not "over due" anyway. A lot depends on the model of care you choose because it's only in the medical model that the time she gestates would be considered an issue. Induction is induction is induction and none of the natural methods work if the baby isn't ready. The chemical means don't work either if the baby isn't ready. She's much better off relaxing, having fun and spending time doing stuff that will be on hold for a while with a new bub. Some women gestate comfortably to 43, 44, 45 or even rarely 46 weeks. Yes, you read right ;) The far greater risk to a baby is induction, not how long it takes to cook.
Try these to see what I mean :)

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/timely.asp

A Timely Birth
by Gail Hart

http://www.birthlove.com/free/ten_month_mama.html

Birthlove’s 10 month mama page – extensive references.

[Ky]

I tried castor oil with my dd (and curries, sex etc) and all I got was the most uncomfrotable and exhausting night of my life! Honestly, the stomach cramps and raging diarrhoea were worse than labour!

I ended up having a failed induction resulting in an elective c/section - a week later!

[mea]

I've been in the early stage of labour for around 54 hrs now (described in detail in another post). I tried pineapple and raspberry leaf tea (only 1 cup) last night to try to get things moving and had some pretty severe contractions which I think were caused by the tea.

But baby wasn't (still isn't) ready. I'm now very wary of trying to bring them on again, incase I have another bout of painful contractions that don't go anywhere. Based on my very limited experience, I'd recommend just waiting.

Take care,
Mea