I am 34 weeks pregnant and had to have a C-section with my first. I never want to have a C-section again. I am working with my Dr on a VBAC but the only thing is is that he won't induce me. I completely understand this but my fear of another c-section is making me wonder if there is anything I can do to induce labor when I get closer to my due date (not now of course!). I have heard of walking, castor oil (yuck), spicy food, sex, and nipple stimulation. I don't know if my Dr would be open to stripping my membranes when it gets closer or not. Any other things?
Believe me...I went 11 days over with my first and 9 days over with my second...from this experience I believe babies come when they are good and ready to come. Although I never tried Castor oil...I've heard nothing good about it.
Good luck to you!
Walk, walk, and walk some more.
Not only is it great exercise, builds your muscles so you can push more effectively, and make you feel great, it naturally pushes baby downward.
I know you're at the point where you are SICK of being pregnant, but be patient. You WANT to go into labor naturally. Being chemically induced SUCKS. Your body knows what to do...let it.
Hmmm, I think I'd go for lots of sex and some nipple stimulation thrown in for good measure! Can't go wrong there! ;)
Frequent intercourse. For both of my pregnancies, I went into labor within 24 hours when we intentionally had sex more often.
all those ladies who have suggested nipple stimulation are right!!! That's what my husband and I did because I didn't want my son to be born on or around Christmas...We had sex alot and some nipple stimulation alot! Trust me, it worked! A few days later I went into labor. (But, if your body isn't ready, not much will work)
Hi ladies, remember that 38 - 42 weeks is considered the NORMAL length of gestation. Castor oil works a charm as it stimulates the lower bowel (last resort), sexual activity works in that it stimulates the production of oxytocin the body which is the driving force of labor. Remember, what got the baby in there can get the baby out. And laughing, of course, is great.
You can try using these pressure points:
The one on the ankle particularly...
http://www.ehow.com/how_###-###-####_use-pressure-points-...
If there's no complications with you or your baby, I would just let nature take it's course. And then walk, walk and walk some more :)
You should thank your doctor for being knowledgeable enough not to induce you. Induction itself is linked to a higher rate of complications in non-VBAC birth and it is linked to a higher rate of uterine rupture in VBACs. As a matter of fact, even though uterine rupture is rare, even in VBAC, almost all cases can be linked to artificial induction and/or augmentation of labor.
Induction also increases your risk for another cesarean.
You best bet for having a successful VBAC is staying mobile (able to change positions) and unmedicated. Instead of focusing on ways to induce your labor before your body and your baby are ready, look into getting a doula and prepare for natural childbirth. That will increase your chance for success.
Check out ICAN!
Liz's story could have been exactly my own with my first except that I did have to get meds in the end because I was only dilated 2cm after 8 hours on Pitocin and I didn't think I had the endurance to deal with Pitocin for so many more hours. My labor was 20hrs total with my first (with the epidural I was able to relax and concentrate on telling my body what to do so it went a little faster) and 24hrs with my second. The epidural wore off both times before delivery. So as some of the other mama's said, baby comes when baby is good and ready to come. lol! Don't sweat it.
pressure points...so go to an accupuncturist, massage therapist or get a foot massage...good luck
Walking is very good advise. i even mowed my lawn 9 months prego.
but what worked for me, was drinking Red Rasberry leave tea every day and takeing evening primrose oil. (helps to soften cervex) but nipple stimulation was what really got things moving. I sat in the tub, because you will leak, and really milked my breast for about 20 min and i was in labor in about an hour!
I heard pineapple works too!
walking and sex...have fun!!! :)
Time, nothing else will work. Your baby will make his/her entrance when he/she is ready.
Spicy Chinese food. It worked for me. I delivered the next day.
pumping is what worked for me
I believed nothing would work with my second either .... then I listened to my silly husband and did a hand-stand .. yes you know when you stand on your hands with feet in the air .. ha ha well 1 hour later I was in full blown labor .. who knew men's stupid idea's actually worked ;)
p.s. I was already 2 cm dialated .. and altough I was 2 weeks before my due date I think my dates were wrong because my son was over 8lbs lol
Just another tid bit - I would not try inducing labor on your own until you are well past your due date. :) It's better for your body to do it naturally, especially since you have had a c-section. Hang in there. It will work out! Have you hired a doula or anyone to help you? I would definately look into this. Doulas can REALLY help women with VBACS. Also look at ican-online.org. :)
Reflexology worked for me! I had a friend, who is a massage therapist, stimulate the reflex points on my hands, feet, ankles and legs and within 2 hours was having mild contractions, within 4 hours was in labor. Good luck!
Can we get a Dr. to prescribe spicey food, lots of sex and nipple stimulation?
Of course I'm not expecting at all but hey...(i kid)
So the sex thing works...or at least it did with my oldest. And walking helps progress things along.
Good luck to you. ;)
