Any suggestions for inducing labour?

Hi I'm 40.5 weeks pregnant and am despaerate to have a natural birth. Would love to hear any sugestions you may have on inducing labour before the doctors do, thank you.

[penny13]

Hi there, i have read that sex can help. Good luck  :)

[IWantToBeAMom]

Oh gosh you poor thing!!!!  Beg the doc to strip your membranes!!!!!  That worked for me!!  He stripped my membranes at 9 a.m. on Saturday and I walked around the grocery store for a long time that day.  Then Sunday got up and walked around Home Depot for a while, then my water broke at 2 p.m..  Doc said it works in 50% of his patients.  He stripped me at 39 weeks b/c I had PUPPS, so being that you're 40.5 weeks, if you give him a piteful enough look he should do it for you!  It hurts but it's worth it.

[Myah's Mom]

I'm right there with you. Was scheduled to have a c-section today because my baby was breech (my first was breech and was delivered by section), but he turned last week. I am also desperate to have vbac, and am looking for ways to get this show on the road. I have been walking a lot, which is supposed to help, as is sex (which my husband is frightened of). I have heard mixed reviews on castor oil use.
I'll post if I discover anything else-might even try it myself first!:)

[JstMickey]

My last pregnancy for some odd reason my doctor scheduled me for an induction. I had my first vaginal with no help. So, what I did was I prayed and did a lot of moving around. I'm not sure of what you're belief is or if you have one but if you do believe in the Lord, just pray His way is always better and He does answer prayers. I went into labor Sat. and was scheduled for induction Mon. Some would say a coincidence but I don't agree I've been through too much and seen too much. Rub your belly and talk to your baby (Imean not to say you don't but you know will your baby to come naturally, power of the tongue is something serious). It may sound crazy but we just really have no clue to how powerful prayer is. Just a thought! :)

[AE]

you can have your membranes stripped but you need a Dr. to do that. Most will though. Otherwise, I guess walking everyday is a good inducer. Good luck.

[BSweet]

I was induced at 42 weeks.....ugh.  I tried sex (fun but didn't help) castor oil ( tasttes awful and gave me terrible cramps) and walking ( burned up all energy). Now pregnant with my second and am hoping that this one goes quickly.  Good luck with anything you try but nature has a way of making you wait until your little one is ready.  I am convinced that if the doctors did't help m  four year old would still be in there waiting :)

[Gillian XXX]

Caster Oil and orange juice worked for my 2nd!

[IWantToBeAMom]

Stripping your membranes is when the doctor manually removes your mucus plug.  Read on if you want to know the gross details:
He can only do it if you're dilated a little.  He said I was dilated at 2 cm at my appt.  So then he goes inside your cervix (as much as he can in that small of an opening) and then quickly and roughly rounds out the inside of the cervix.  This loosens and removes your mucus plug.  Doing this stimulates the hormones that signal your body for labor and you're off and running.

[Myah's Mom]

I can't stand the anxious nerves! I think it's worse because I cancelled my section for today (call me crazy-some already have) because my baby turned late last week. Trying VBAC, but SO full of pent up energy and an anxiety that I cannot rest at all.
The nesting I have been doing would put Martha Stewart to shame. I have been walking TONS, because I feel fine (walked 10 K on Thursday!) but still feel like I need to do something seriously physical. Hubby is just barely onboard with the sex-had a brief round this morning, but the poor thing is so scared.
The castor oil and o.j. are on my list for tomorrow. Just so afraid that at 41 weeks, they are just going to have to section me anyway, as they cannot induce.  
Not sure whose comment it was, but I totally agree about prayer as well. My grandfather, whom I was very close to, died 3 weeks ago, and I keep telling myself that he has a hand in all this.....

Here's hoping for some birth stories this week!

[Clarter]

If this is your first, inducing might not be a good idea, because you could end up with a c-section.  If it was your second, it might be different.  I have heard sex, walking and mexican food can rush things along.

You don't hear of many going past their due dates anymore.  What does your doctor say about induction?

Never heard of stripping membranes--what is that?

[Reagansmom]

Just let nature take it's course when the Lord thinks that little baby is ready then it will happen

[r8chi]

Thank you all for your suggestions, I've tried sex, eating pineapples, taking raspberry leaf tea capsules, kerb walking (one foot on the road, the other on the kerb), driving over speed bumps, warm baths, sitting on an exercise ball and spicy food but still nothing! I can't go walking because of spd but I am booked in for a membrane sweep on Thurs 14th so hopefully that should do the trick if not I'll have to be induced Thurs 21st but will keep you guys updated. Thanks again. xxx