Help with dilation!!

[taken062406]

I was wondering all the ways to help your cervix dilate.   The reason I am asking is because my doctor said that if I am dilated to a 3 on Nov. 4 then he will induce me.  I wouldnt normally be concerned.  But my doctor is going to be out of town for a week and a half and he leaves on the 5th or the 6th I cant remember when.  what really makes me mad is that I switched doctors to this one because my other doc doesnt deliver and now my doc might be gone when I go into labor.  I wish he would have told me that, because I would have went somewhere else.  But anyways, my due date is Nov. 12 but the baby is measuring a week ahead which would put me at Nov. 5.  So its not like the baby would be in any danger from the induction.  And i know that if he doesnt induce me before he lives it would be my luck that the second day he was gone I would go into labor.  Please any advice would be wonderful.  I have been walking and rolling around on a ball.  But I didnt know how much i should walk a day or how much rolling and bouncing I should do on the ball.  Any suggestions would be great!!

[chunky1023]

How much caster oil do should you drink?  I also want to know does drinking castor oil hurt the baby at all? I'm sorry if these questions are silly but I dont know about these things cause i'm a 1st timer!!  

[cminamyer]

Castor Oil will put you into labor if you are ready, but it's is really, discusting!  It gets you started by "cleaning you out"  makes your bowels empty...not fun.  Also, if you aren't hydrated enough it could dehydrate you.  But it does work if your body is ready.  Sex, didn't work for DH and I maybe try being on top the bouncing might help, LOL they say to let DH "go" inside and to try and "O" yourself.  It makes the uterus contract.  Nipple Stimulation is supposed to work really well also, you could maybe try sex and nipple stimulation at the same time, LOL.  DH might really enjoy it.  Walking is the best way to bring the baby down lower.  But all of this won't work if your body isn't ready.  Good Luck!  

[taken062406]

Thank you so much for your input.  I went to the doc today and I havent made any progress.  It was pretty discouraging.  But he did an u/s and the baby is approx. 7lbs 10oz.  She is definitely healthy, lol.  I will have to just keep walking and see where it goes.

[Avanaar]

I did a quick google search for "naturally inducing labor" and came up with an article:

http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,5329,00.html

A couple warnings listed on that article before I list the methods:

"You shouldn't even consider trying to begin your labor until you are around 40 weeks pregnant or overdue. That's because your due date could be inaccurate by a few weeks, and if you start your labor before 40 weeks, you might give birth to the baby before he is ready to thrive outside the womb.

Use caution when trying any of these natural methods to begin your labor, particularly herbs and nipple stimulation. The uterus can become hyperstimulated, meaning that it'll get too little rest between contractions. This can cause the baby to receive less oxygen, resulting in fetal heart rate slowing. Before trying any of these techniques, you should discuss them with your practitioner."

Now, here's a list of things you can do:
Walk
Sex
Castor Oil
Spicy Foods
Blue and Black Cohosh (herbs)
Nipple Stimulation
Stripping the membranes

I know you don't want to go into labor while your doc is out of town ...but don't try to rush yer little one along if he/she isn't ready yet!

[justice6920]

I wish i had more helful info for ya but I have heard that Cod Liver oil helps induce labor and that of course will help ya dailate (sp)....and the birthing ball is good too.... BUT i think that no matter what you do if your body is not ready it just wont help! Never hurts to try though i guess! Good Luck