I have been in "inactive" labor for 2 weeks now, and will be 38 weeks tomorrow. The OB won't/can't do anything to help until at least tomorrow. I am dilating slowly and effaced 80-90%, and can't walk very much at a time due to Dd's head being in position (for 2 months now!) My legs go numb as soon as I stand up... this past week it doesn't matter if I am standing, sitting, laying down! She is ready, I am ready... So my question is this:
Do any of you have any labor help ideas that REALLY work? I know castor oil doesn't... walking and climbing stairs, sex, and supposedly spicy foods work. Any other suggestions???? Please??????? My mom is only here for another 9 days, and really wants to see her youngest grandchild born!!!!
Don't get me wrong, I love being pregnant, but am ready to see my baby!! And I am ready to quit being sick and unable to do anything!!
Thank you wonderful ladies!!!

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Don't bother me, I am living Happily Ever After!

when I was overdue with my dd my midwife had me get Red Raspberry Leaf Capsules from my health food store...they help start contractions. Just don't take to many! Start out with 1 capsule 3X a day. If you look it up online you will find more info. on it! Good Luck.

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WAHM to Richie, Becca & Ryan!

I'm not sure what it's called, but getting down on your knees and elbows, so your chest is lower than your butt, and slowly rock back and forth, or front to back, KWIM?? Good luck and keep us updated.

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~Jenn~

Actually castor oil does work I have a fried that used it and it kicked in pretty fast. There is also a spanish type soda I cant remember the name but that works tooooooo. If you have been in inactive labor for two weeks you just need a little help pushing it over the edge I know that happened to me with my first dd and my OB gave me a really rough (crying) internal and that sparked it along with going walking immediately afterwards even though I was told to stay off my feet. Well we all know when its close to time you cant stay off your feet lol you want that baby here. Good luck cant wait to see pics and sending you good painfree vibes for a nice easy birth!

My midwife recommended sex. It worked for me

Here's a link to a natural induction article. HTH!
http://www.maternitycorner.com/mcmag.../preg0007.html

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WAHM to Richie, Becca & Ryan!

Boy, do I ever sympathize with you! I gave birth to my eleventh child in August and I felt just the same way you are feeling now. It gets hard to move, hard to sleep, hard to do anything!! I really think, though, that all you can do is wait until she is ready to be born. The home induction methods won't work unless baby is ready. (Even if YOU think you are ready. ) Oh, and last month, my daughter was only three days late but it seemed like ETERNITY!

With my sixth child, I did do the castor oil and it worked. I do think that is because the baby was ready. I tried it with the next child to no avail.

The "natural" ways to induce will only work if your body is ready. So don't get frustrated if you try something and it doesn't work. The one's I have heard of are:

Sex
Nipple Stimulation
Walk
Castor Oil - but way yuck

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Mom to Kaylee (10/2006)
Waiting on our second bundle of joy to arrive January 2009!

I'd demand that they induce tomorrow. If you're already 80-90% effaced and slowly dialating, then pitocin won't hurt.. It'll help it along. I do agree that trying to induce it yourself probably won't work unless the little one is ready to come out, but at 38 weeks and as effaced as you are, I think Pitocin would work just fine. Good luck and post those baby pictures when the little one gets here!

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~~Amanda~~ Mommy to one Little Man (3 1/2 yrs old), TTC #2

When baby's cooked, the buzzer will go off. I know it's uncomfortable. In my last days, there were a few things I did for comfort: note that I said few, not many: drink lots of water - you'll need it, and you need it now. Cat stretches on all four, and actually, squats! I was so busy I did them - not big ones, just enough to work those thighs. Stop if your back starts to hurt. That and leg lifts are why I think my water broke a little early. The exercise ball helped me, too. Sorry I don't know how to put you into labor. Spaghetti made me cramp up more, then I went into labor, but I don't know if it "caused" it. They say that balsamic vinagrette (sp?) on salad helps put one in labor - don't use baby spinach, though, with this e-coli breakout!! It'll be over soon and you'll be busier than ever. But you'll have the sweetest little bundle to cuddle and stare at. Good luck to you, and may your labor be easy.