How to get things going?

[roxanna1410]

Im 37 weeks and 4 days pregnant with #2 and i need to start labor!!! I refuse to be medically induced and that seems to be the plan since my amniotic levels are getting low. Does anyone have any advice on how to induce naturally to get things going? Anything that has worked.

[ShadowGurl3692]

Have you lost any of your mucus plug recentlu

[ShadowGurl3692]

Have you lost any of your mucus plug recently or within the last 3 weeks? Just curious. I lost mine at 35 weeks and around 36 I was told I would have to be induced if my baby didn't come. I was like nope. So I did a bunch of squats and exercise and dancing. It paid off. I had done a hard work out and got really tired. More than normal so I took a nap. When I woke i heard a strange popping noise in my tummy and when I stood... bam gushed water. My water broke and labor proceeded. I was 36 weeks almost 37. And she was a healthy baby. So you could try that. There is also caster oil but I would run that by your doctor first cause there are pros and cons and some like to believe it is dangerous for the baby. I also heard intercourse can cause it because the semen does something. But idk that one.

[specialmom]

I can completely understand your desire to get to the end of this long road of pregnancy.  The last bit is definitely very hard.  You're 37 weeks.  If this is your first pregnancy, you'll probably go to 40 or so as this is the most common outcome. Remember, due dates are an educated guess at best.  Babies tend to come when they want.  And first pregnancies, for whatever reason . . . take a bit longer to go into labor.  My body just didn't want to give it up and I was 10 days past my 40 week due date.  I WAS induced at that point . . .  lordy, I'd have done anything at that point.  I could hardly walk!  

Things that are known to help ---  sex, walking a lot, bouncing on an exercise ball.  I wouldn't try the eating things or ingesting of things myself as those have mixed reviews.  And I found that as time went on, when my doctor checked me, that stimulation of my cervix helped me progress a bit.  Even stripping of the membrains is an option to make it happen.  

But overall, it really does kind of happen when it is supposed to rather than being easily manipulated.  Here is my heartfelt advice . . .  this is your last bit of time of a calm life.  LOL  Babies are so awesome but do change things.  So, go out to lunch with friends, have a date with your partner, read a good book, watch movies . . .  because soon your hands will be full (more full than they are now if you have other kiddos).  

But I do feel your pain and understand why you want this done NOW.  good luck sweetie

[roxanna1410]

This my second pregnancy and my daughter was born at 37 weeks and 5 days. No contractions. My water just broke out of the blue. With this pregnancy now ive had so many complications and it HAS been a very long journey. Now with my fluid getting low and being told i will be medically induced, im afraid. I rather try my hardest to induce naturally.

[specialmom]

It will be okay hon.  I now see that this is your second baby written right there in your first sentence.  Duh.  sorry for my confusion.  Since you don't want to be, I hope you don't have to get induced. But I can tell you that it's not so bad.  You set up a time to go in, they hook you up and off you go.  I ate popsicles and chatted with my hubby and watched some tv.  Contractions were bad but when I had natural labor, they were no worse than that.  I do go for the epidural though and don't know if you are one to have that or not.  But it was pretty easy and efficient.  Just telling you this just in case it ends up happening.  But try those other things and see if you can get er' going yourself.  good luck!!