Under normal circumstances I don’t believe they will induce until you are 10 days overdue, so you’ve got plenty of time(at least that is what my GYN/OBS dad tells me).
Actually I was going to call him tomorrow anyway so I’ll ask him. He’s not a huge fan of folk medicine but I’m sure he knows plenty of them.
A couple of notes:
With regards to the oral ingestion of semen, there is some truth to that. It’s not just something we guys made up (and truth be told, after weeks of pre-delivery “heard it helps speed things up” sex, it’s just not as fun as it ought to be). If you search on the web for “natural” induction techniques you’ll find it listed. The theory is that semen contains prostaglandins which help ripen the cervix, and that a combination of topical application (wink) and oral ingestion (wink wink) delivers the best punch.
Another natural approach is to take Primrose Oil capsules. Again the theory is the the oil contains fatty acids that the body converts into prostaglandins etc…
Both of these are only supposed to help ripen the cervix, not actually start labor, although the cerivx must be ripe for labor to start. Plus these can take weeks to work and should start around 37-38 weeks, so it’s probably too late to help.
I did some reading on castor oil, yuck. Sounds like it doesn’t always work, there are some risks, and if it doesn’t work, you’re left with a miserable pregnant woman with diarrhea.
No doubt about it though, medical induction is a tough call. My wife was 9 days overdue when the doctor recommended induction. After a lot of talk we decided to go ahead for a lot of reasons, some physical, some psychological.
It’s a two step process. The night before she had a prostaglandin gel applied directly to the cervix which kicked off contractions and back labor (another horror story, avoid it if you can). We were scheduled to go in for induction at 7:00 AM, but by 4:30 AM the contractions were strong enough for us to go in early. They still gave her the pitocin IV, but she was pretty well into labor. They never got up to the normal maximum drip rate. Thankfully it was a quick delvery (4 hours admission to birth).
Good Luck E Bailey, I know it’s tough to wait. Our doctor told us at 37 weeks that we could go at any time. Weeks 37-40 were tough, the nine days after that were murder. It’s all worth it though.
Time - - let nature take its course. (anyway, just don’t do anything that might harm the baby)
Or, in 2 weeks, your doctor will probably induce it.
OK- the Chinese food did not work. I’ll give the Balsamic vinegar a try- I LOVE vinegar. I’m not a huge fan of mac-and-cheese.
I don’t think I’ll start smoking.
Almost all my friends have had to be induced w/ pitocin. I have only heard nightmares about it. Also, I am going au naturel using the Bradley Method, and the contractions you get from pitocin are much stronger and less productive than if labor starts on its own. This makes unmedicated childbirth more challenging.
pcubed: Yes, I have heard about Primrose Oil, but, like you said, I heard it just “ripens” your cervix, it is not an inducer. Also, I am not really into herbs and stuff. Yes- it is a tough wait!!! Not as hard as though first 12 weeks, though. Those were killer.
My doc is already talking about setting up an induction on the 12th. Aahhhh!!!
E Bailey, I realise that you have made it clear that you aren’t going to do anything stupid just because you are impatient, but some of the responses seem to have a “well, just induce, it’s no big deal” flavor to them and I feel I have to throw a word of caution into the discussion. Pitocin (a synthetic version of oxytocin, which is the contraction-enhancing hormone secreted by the body and the fetus) is a powerful drug.
I have been doing quite a bit of reading on childbirth recently. I am in the process of becoming certified as a natural childbirth educator. The following information is from The Birth Book by William Sears,M.D. (a pediatrician) and Martha Sears,R.N. (registered nurse, childbirth educator and nursing consultant).
*During natural labor your body produces oxytocin on an as-needed basis…the amount of oxytocin secreted and the sensitivity of the uterus to its effects increase during labor. Artificial oxytocin-also known as a pit drip-is administered intravenously through an automatic infusion pump at a steady rate. Because the way the uterus receives its hormonal boost is unnatural, the contractions pit produces are different from the ones the body would produce on its own. Pit-produced contractions are stronger, longer, and closer together. This different type of contraction can be intolerable for the mother and unsafe for the baby…
With normal contractions, the uterine muscle briefly constrict the blood vessels carrying oxygenated blood to the placenta, but the blood-rich reservoirs within the placenta continue to deliver oxygen to the baby during these periods of decreased uterine blood flow…With pit-produced contractions, however, the increased force of the contraction may decrease uterine blood flow even more, and the time between contractions may be too short to allow the reservoirs in the placenta to refill with blood. Pit-produced contractions may, therefore, result in lower delivery of oxygen to the baby. In fact, fetal distress, as detected by electronic fetal monitoring, is more common during pitocin infusion…
Pitocin is also unkind to the mother…Being attached to an intravenous line and an infusion pump confines a mother to bed. Pitocin-induced contractions are more painful, so an epidural is usually required, further limiting mother’s freedom of movement…
Studies show that 80 percent of laboring women found their “pit pains” were much more intense than the sensations they felt with their natural contractions…Most women surveyed stated they would rather try alternatives to pit with their next labor…
Throughout the pregnancy the growing uterus has been growing receptor sites-microscopic areas that become increasingly sensitive to the contraction-producing effects of oxytocin…Giving pitocin before the uterus is sensitive enough or before the cervix is ripe enough…is likely to produce a long drawn-out ineffective labor resulting in a cesarean birth. This scene sometimes occurs when pitocin is used for a postterm induction when the calendar says it’s time for baby to come out but the uterus doesn’t agree.*
In short, while pitocin is a wonderful drug to have in the arsenal, it is not without risks and should be used with care.
E Bailey, I just read your reply while posting mine. I am becoming a Bradley teacher (I’m taking the course in October) after having 4 successful natural births. Good luck!
We tried: Sending husband on an 18-hole golf outing over 90 miles away. I figured Murphy’s Law would kick in on this one. It didn’t. That was the day before my due date.
Then, three days after my due date, husband got a $50/hour consulting gig. THAT one worked. I went into labor and he had to cancel (although the guy said “Oh, come on, you know that baby won’t be coming today!” You’re probably right, you jackass, but I’d like the moral support of my spouse here while I prepare for long haul).
So I vote for the “making big plans” suggestion. The other safe ways I know of (nipple stimulation, exposure to seminal prostaglandins) you’ve already tried.
I took the Bradley course and went without pain relievers for my first pitocin-induced labor. I’d like to address some of the information given here. First, yes, pitocin is harder–the contractions are extremely regular and you don’t get much of a break. If it’s done right, though, the doctor will take his/her time and turn up the volume slowly, which is more like natural labor.
Second, it is not true that you have to be confined to your bed. I was not, in either labor. I was attached to an IV, but my labor assistants (husband and doula) helped me maneuver it around if I wanted to stand, sit or walk to the bathroom. The hospital staff will want to keep you on a monitor, but you can negotiate with them about getting it removed from time to time.
I seem to be deficient in whatever it is that gets labor going. Some women don’t have to stay on the pitocin the whole time–just enough to kick start labor.
Good luck. However it happens it will be a wonderful experience.
*cher3, may I say, “wow!”? I’m truly impressed. I know I was hanging on by the skin of my teeth during some of the tougher parts (like with my 3rd, going through transition in the elevator on the way to the LDR.) I don’t know how well I would have done if it had been any more intense. You were obviously well educated and were able to work around the complications of a pit. And you also clearly had a doctor who was interested in working with you rather than managing your labor for you. I’m not sure how common that is, unfortunately. My warnings were intended more for people who might assume that an induction with a pit-drip is just an easy way to schedule a labor.
Here’s the way I got my labor started the last time: I had reached my due date looking absolutely huge. I had put up with people asking nervously just when was I due? for 6 weeks. (Apparently, the store clerks feared I would drop a foal right there in the dairy aisle.) I was antsy and bored. So I took my 3 kids to the mall (by myself, 25 minutes away, thumbing my nose at the labor gods.) We walked around all day, had lunch and bought them treats. I kept hoping for the inevitable question so I could horrify someone by answering “2 days ago!” but I never got the chance. We went home and I went into labor a couple hours later.
E:
Sorry, didn’t mean that to be lewd. I was only trying to suggest that there was possibly something exploitive about that ‘remedy’. One of our friends had told my wife about it a long time ago, but it seemed very unscientific so the story was hard to swallow (pun intended)… OK, so I’m not diametrically opposed to lewd jokes…
pcubed got me to do a search and I found a web page by Marnie Ko:
http://www.nurturing.ca/labor.htm
She wrote:
Of course, I’ve met a number of women that might dispute that last statement, but all-in-all this does seem to have some scientific merit. I only wish I’d known about the evidence for it 15 years ago when my wife was ready to try anything to accelerate nature’s progress… Like most pigs… err… men, when it comes to oral gratification, there’s no such thing as too much of a good thing…
Oxytosin & Pitosin:
Coming from a person (me) who had to have her labor induced two weeks after the due date, I can say with utmost certainty that Pitosin is evilbadouchy stuff. If you want to induce labor naturally, you’ll need to increase your oxytosin. You can do this through orgasm. But it has to be a really damn good one, or several in succession. Rather than nipple stimulation (it’s nice and all, but has it ever given you an orgasm?) or intercourse, try clitoral stimulation (have your guy perform cunnilingus, or just do it, um, manually.)
Maybe it’ll help, maybe it won’t. In any case, it’ll be fun, right? 
FWIW: Primrose oil either does nothing or makes labor worse. Our midwife did a study for her Masters on primrose oil because its always prescribed but there is no research on it. Just old (mid)wives tales that it works.
My wife was 15 days past her due date. She was huge (we have a picture ) But her body wasn’t ready until then. We think whe was also subconsciously resisting be delivered by the midwife she didn’t like. So it waited until another one was on call.
Walking is good for progessing labor, but I don’t know about starting it. My wife also ate spicy food and took a drive down a cobblestone road. Twice.
that is, epeepunk is my hubby…
Anyway, the results on primrose oil are that it either increases or decreases the length of first stage labor (some DO get shorter), it doesn’t seem to actually induce labor significantly more than waiting does, and it increases the incidence of problems with descent (head getting stuck, coming down crooked, etc).
So skip that one. Actually, skip them all if you can.
Overall, since the BABY triggers labor (several days in advance of the fact, I might add), there is pretty much nothing you can do to force it without risking something. I nonetheless tried three things - spicy food, glass of wine, and bumpy road (I recommend something with bad shocks - my mom’s mercedes didn’t make the bumps noticable!). Labor did indeed start that night, but I can’t exactly say that that CAUSED it. Spicy meal or anything that passes through your system fast, food-wise, or irritates your bowels (such as castor oil) can start contractions (uterus cotracts in sympathy with intestines maybe?). But that’s JUST contractions - if labor isn’t going to STAY, it won’t. So don’t bother. Plus, who wants to start out with discomfort in labor??
Walking will not start labor. Nipple stimulation will start contractions, but labor, again, might not stick. Also, you need to be careful with nipple stim, because just like synthetic oxytocin (pit) if you create long contractions, you can rob baby of oxygen for way longer than is safe. Pretty much anything you try may make you contract, but may or may not start LABOR. This is why with a lot of inductions they never even ask you if you want them to turn the pitocin down or off, because if you really weren’t ready, labor will STOP. However, if you ARE ready, but not quite STARTED, getting started with pit and then turning it off may be all you need. If you are struggling with the pit, see if they’ll turn it down or off for a while and see if your body is doing it on its own.
Overall, wait. Take a few walks, but don’t overdo it. Take some nice baths (if approved by your providers), or long showers. Rest, eat well, and keep hydrated. If you think your own anxiety might be slowing things down, do some meditation, visualize, talk to baby, invite baby out.
Last, my favorite NEW wive’s tale, schedule an induction for approx 14 days past due (adjust for your situation), but schedule it at least several days in advance. I have yet to meet any mom who scheduled an induction more than 3 days in advance who actually WAS induced! (Granted, since most women go into labor on their own within two weeks of the due date, this is JUST a way to stop stressing about the wait.) I went into labor the day before they were going to test me for induction (biophysical profile to check placenta status, because my 14 days would be up on Sunday, and I wanted to wait for Monday to induce, they wanted to induce on Friday). And yes, I was 15 days late (despite going into labor much earlier) … thanks to evening primrose oil and a midwife I detested, I was in labor for three days (took two days for her to go off-call!). Oh, didn’t help that my son was looking around (trying to come out on an angle into my pelvic girdle, NOT straight down)… more of that ‘problems with descent’ thing, maybe from the evening primrose oil.
Really, it is worth waiting for. I know it is hard. It is intensely hard to wait when you’ve been waiting SO long, and now nobody can tell you WHEN you’ll meet that baby. But wait, pamper yourself, and trust your baby to have a clue. It is a wonderful and complex process starting labor ‘the real way’, don’t give up on it before it has a chance to complete all the steps. It honestly is designed to work. Trust it, trust your baby, and trust your body. You’ll be damn impressed with what your body can do, after you meet your baby, anyway, might as well get used to the idea now!
And, if you do end up induced, use your training and see how you do without meds - you don’t HAVE to have them! I know two women in particular who were induced and never needed pain meds. Relax, take care, and sleep as much as you can. It sucks to have a new baby when you are already exhausted before labor even started. Good luck!
I scheduled an induction 2 months in advance with my fifth pregnancy and no, I didn’t go into labour naturally with that one. It’s not as abad as it sounds - I have a history of pregnancy loss and the scheduled induction was one of my coping mechanisms.
I was scheduled for an induction with my second pregnancy and refused to go to the hospital the night before (they liked you there at 6.30am) and I went into labour and had a homebirth with him.
I would love to see some cites about EPO. Totally willing to believe it isn’t effective but I have difficulty getting my head around how it could possibly cause malpresentation.
I used acupuncture and acupressure to induce labour with my second pregnancy and the guy doing said he had a good success rate but it didn’t work for me. Regulated the Braxton Hicks contractions which was nice but didn’t initiate labour.
The study on Evening Primrose Oil was published in one of the Midwifery Journals (I can’t remember the name and I can’t find my copy) last year by Dorinda Dove and another researcher whose name I can’t remember.
The problems with descent were statisically significant but the study was preliminary. Basically until further research is completed I personally wouldn’t recommend it.
As for how it causes that - since we don’t know why babies align themselves the way they do (its more than gravity) anything that interferes with the hormaonal processes could interfere with the positioning. Plus it could affect the way your uterus works which could affect positioning and descent.
I say, wait for the baby, unless there is a real, medical reason to induce. My first was 17 days late and my second was 12. Both were big babies, 9.5 and 11 pounds. But I delivered without a single stitch or medication of any kind. Labors were 11 hours and 8.5 hours. You don’t NEED to induce unless the baby is in distress. You’d be amazed at what your body can do if you leave it alone. I certainly was! I’m a small framed woman,too, and about 120 lbs before pregnancy.
When I read this, I told my son (iampunha, who posts frighteningly often on SDMB) that I didn’t want to get into a pissing contest, but . . . and he said, “Mama, go ahead. Nobody will see it that way.”
So let me note that iampunha was born 24 days after his due date. They were monitoring me six ways to Sunday and were set to induce labor or do a C-section at the first sign of trouble. No need, though. He had a normal delivery and weighed a normal amount.
Anyway, that last “month” ended up lasting almost two months. I loved being pregnant, but not that much! So we were trying a lot of things at the end. Nothing worked for us but time. However, I have heard of a few things that have been used that appeared to have done the trick:
black cohosh tea (also used to induce early miscarriages – seems to cause uterine contractions)
orgasm (more uterine contractions)
spicy food (cleans out the rear end and, I guess, makes things easier for the baby to be born)
All I know is that nothing worked on my four babies, all of whom were overdue (but only one so spectacularly overdue as iampunha). In fact, all the women who marry into my husband’s family have babies after their due dates. I blame it on the men. Might as well.
Medical folks don’t seem to let women run as late as they used to. I’m not crazy about this idea. Seems to me it’s better to let the mother’s and baby’s bodies decide when to deliver, unless something is really wrong. But I’m probably just an old crank. Picture me muttering something like, "Dang, they just don’t make wimmin like they used to! Why, when I had my babies . . . "
I do know the symptoms of labor, and I’m not talking about water breaking or intense contractions. But that isn’t what the OP wanted to know, so let’s leave that one alone.
phantomdiver
Thanks to everyone who posted! I actually had my first contraction at exactly 11:52 pm on August 31. My BEAUTIFUL daughter (who I was CONVINCED was a boy) was born at 9:56 pm Sept 1- her due date! I guess she is just punctual (like her mother, NOT like her father)!
Let me add that I ate cold Chinese for dinner, had GREAT sex w/ the hubby, and had JUST finished reading my bookclub book when I had my first contraction.
Also let me add that contrary to my Bradley teacher, childbirth HURTS!!! I screamed for about three hours at the end. I hate to say it, but baby #2 is gonna be juiced up by drugs.
Again- thanks to everyone who posted!!!
-Elizabeth (and Eleanor Elizabeth Bailey, 7 lbs 6 oz, 19 1/2 in)
So, waitasec, you had great sex the night the baby decided to come out? I thought you can’t have intercourse after the second trimester?
Congratulations, of course!
Love babies…love em love em love em!!!