| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| babysmama |
Posted - Apr 17 2008 : 8:00:23 PM
With this talk of morning sickness and how ginger can start labor I am wondering if there are any other tricks to start labor? I tend to go overdue and I think around the baby's due date (in three weeks) I would like to try some natural things to kick start labor. Any hints?
-Elizabeth |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| clux64 |
Posted - Jul 06 2008 : 6:43:48 PM
Cecily, have you considered hypnosis for dealing with the labor? I didn't use it, but our piano teachers wife did and she said it made things quite bearable--she had no medical pain relief with her first baby, I was most impressed. I loved what Elizabeth was saying in her response, pain with a purpose. After my lightning delivery with my son, I so understood why the labor was as it was...a baby has to come when it's time with a sense of urgency, it's all part of the natural process. I had an epidural with my first baby, I had difficulty pushing so the delivery was assisted with suction causing my daughter to have jaundice and we both ran a fever after delivery(very common). Overall a great delivery and I felt really good just 24 hours later. With my second, no medical intervention ('cause we were at home--not intentionally) pretty intense labor (lets just say, glad it was short) and arrival with just a few pushes. He looked like a C-section baby, just beautiful! I felt GREAT immediately after. Couldn't understand why the paramedics wanted to me go to the hospital--I was ready to take a shower and go back to bed! Two great deliveries, but the medication free version was the one I preferred. Good luck with your birth and new baby!
Celeste
"No matter where you go, there you are"
--Confucious |
| babysmama |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 07:05:34 AM
Yes, birth is very natural. We need to remember how women have been doing this from the dawn of time and have been doing it alone as well. Though I birth in a hospital I have used a midwife with my last two births and we do things as natural as possible. It does hurt, but we really can't control things and all we need to do is let our bodies take over. Our bodies were meant for this and know what to do. And of course, it does hurt (I hate it when people say it just feels like strong period cramps) but it is pain with a purpose. I sometimes think while I am going through labor "Why did I do this again?" but honestly, the minute that baby is out and I can hold him/her I feel completely normal again and full of energy and it is SO WORTH IT when you are holding that new one. So it is all very hard and painful work but it isn't anything that we can't handle. Good luck with your upcoming birth and I hope it turns out beautifully!
-Elizabeth |
| BarnChickCecily |
Posted - Jul 04 2008 : 7:57:39 PM
Celeste, thank you so much for your post... it made me feel better. I haven't been worried about the labor, but everyone keeps saying things like, "oh, you just wait, you will be screaming for pain relief!" and then a lady told me today, "women say they think they can handle labor, until they actually go into labor." I don't even tell people anymore that I plan to do this all naturally. It's really none of their business anyway and I'm tired of their thoughtless comments. I am aware that it will probably hurt very badly, but it is a natural process and it's not pain from something that is wrong... it's pain that is inevitable and knowing this helps me to relax about it a little more. I am due any day now...wish me luck and say a prayer 
Farmgirl Sister # 241
www.thebarnchick.blogspot.com/ |
| clux64 |
Posted - Jul 04 2008 : 12:14:59 PM
This is too late for the original poster, but perhaps someone else can benefit from it. With my first preganancy my dula suggested evening primrose capsules as a vaginal suppository (once I passed my due date). With my second preganancy, my nurse/midwife suggested Red Raspberry Leaf Tea that someone else here suggested. I drank it couple times a day (kinda of inconsistently) starting about a month before my due date. My midwife said it would tone my uterus. I'll say! My son came a week late and was born with only an hour after the onset of labor. The labor was VERY efficient and pushing was not a problem. In fact we never made it to the hospital and my husband delivered him on our stairs--but that's a whole other story.
For those of you who've expressed some fear about childbirth...let me just say its the most natural thing in the world if you can keep away from medical intervention. Now that I've been through it, hearing someone say that they're afraid of childbirth (and I was one of them--I was 35 when my first child was born) is like saying that your fearful of having a bowel movement. It's just comes naturally.
Celeste
"No matter where you go, there you are" |
| BarnChickCecily |
Posted - Jun 12 2008 : 6:12:55 PM
Great! Thanks! |
| babysmama |
Posted - Jun 12 2008 : 11:05:50 AM
There is no certain way that it needs to be fixed. In the winter I brew it for five to ten minutes in hot water, in the summer I make it by the sun tea method. Iced is great too. You can continue drinking it after birth as well!
-Elizabeth |
| BarnChickCecily |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 6:45:20 PM
Elizabeth, Thank you so much for the advice. I will definately start drinking the tea. Is there a certain way I should fix it, or can I just drink it hot and/or iced? |
| babysmama |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 6:30:47 PM
Cecily-
If you haven't been drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea I would really recommend you start it now. It doesn't start labor but it helps strengthen your uterus which helps makes your contractions more productive.
I didn't need to try anything to start this labor. I gavebirth one day after my due date so I wasn't a week overdue like the others (though I know a normal pregnancy can go up to 42 weeks so it really isn't "overdue"). I think the midwife stripped the membranes at the last appointment though, and this labor was very strange and difficult (with contractions never becoming regular, even when I was fully dilated and pushing they were 5-10 minutes apart) so I am very upset about that. I am going to ask her flat out at my six week check up (next week) if she did indeed strip the membranes. 
-Elizabeth
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| BarnChickCecily |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 6:16:35 PM
Theresa, sounds GREAT to me!!! |
| theresa333 |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 4:35:21 PM
I am an OB GYN. This is very interesting reading ladies. I am learning quite a lot.
I usually recommend she reicieve a nice full body massage, pedicure, and new hairdo; followed with a nice meal served in bed, perhaps with a movie of her choice on TV. Warm bubble baths are especially nice when you can hear him running the vacuum or helping the kids get ready for bed...
I try to keep emphasizing how well this technique works. It may require days of effort on his part; they must keep trying.
Sex is a good labor starter, if it is "good" sex...I let her define that.
Forget the bumpy road with pick up truck/ no springs; castor oil is nasty; make this a baby to remember!!
Sincerely,
Doc Holladay
www.doctorholladay.com
PS Good nutrition, prayer and a supportive environment count a lot too!!
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| BarnChickCecily |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 02:24:20 AM
Okay, thanks for the advice. I don't know a lot about herbs, so I didn't know if it would take some time to work... but I'm glad you said to wait until 38 weeks... I want a very healthy baby. |
| Firemama |
Posted - Jun 10 2008 : 5:16:28 PM
Um yes I wold say that was a little too early to start. Be careful, I would say MAYBE about 38 weeks but I am sure the baby will come when they are ready.
Mama to 2
FarmGirl# 20
Rich or Poor, It Dont matter We're all the same everybodys hungry in a different way....
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www.justanotherhousewife.etsy.com
Aunt Debs Etsy
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| BarnChickCecily |
Posted - Jun 10 2008 : 5:14:09 PM
I am 35 weeks pregnant. Is that too early to start natural preparations for labor... as far as herbs and teas and such??? |
| mima |
Posted - May 31 2008 : 9:12:05 PM
Funny this topic came up! I'm hangin out at my daughters right now-shes almost 10 days overdue with little Ani Rose! shes drinking lots of Rasberry leaf tea and taking lots of walks! We are just trying to keep her occupied-babies will come when they are ready! keep ya posted!
"No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,or sailed to an uncharted land or opened a new heaven to the human spirit." Helen Keller
http://www.thebodyshopathome.com/web/dcole1 |
| fionalovesshrek |
Posted - May 31 2008 : 2:23:31 PM
Two of my boys came within four hours of shopping at WalMart. Not sure what the "moral to the story" there is, but I joke that pushing a cart in a mega mart will get a boy out everytime!
P~
living a good neighbor life |
| Alee |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 06:03:57 AM
Marie- That was what terrified me about having kids as well, in fact I had even gone so far to say I never wanted to have kids- because of that fear! But really, I think the really horrible stories are the true minority. Labor was an experience, but this fraidy cat is ready and willing to plan for another baby already! :D It's hard to believe, but the second they are out you really could get up and run around!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| Patty MorningRamble |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 05:50:02 AM
It might seem a bit scary but towards the end of your pregnancy you are so anxious to hold that tiny blessing in your arms that being scared takes a back seat to everything else.
http://morningramble.blogspot.com/
http://morningramblegifts.com/ |
| N Marie |
Posted - May 18 2008 : 11:09:13 PM
I have no doubt that I want to have children someday, but some stories scare the daylights out of me. It's good to know that there's advice like this available. It makes me less afraid and more certain.
Farmgirl #181
http://yarnfoodcoffee.typepad.com/
Save our oceans! Eat more prey fish!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070624132617.htm |
| GaiasRose |
Posted - Apr 19 2008 : 12:42:15 PM
the best natural labor starter? SEX...go get busy with the hubby girlie! btw, this is my husband's recommendation ;)
[size=1]
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Farmgirl Sister #88
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
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Homepage:
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"Joyful chaos, working in tune with the seasons, telling itme by the sun, variety, change and self-direction; all this wwas replaced with a brutal, standardized work culture, the effects of which we are still suffering from today." - Tom Hodgkinson in 'How To Be Idle' |
| Canadian farmgirl |
Posted - Apr 19 2008 : 07:34:21 AM
This is definitely not an herbal remedy, and maybe it was just coincidence, but with my 3rd one, I was at my due date, and wanted to make sure the house was clean when I had to go to the hospital. I washed the kitchen floor on my hands and knees, and within 1/2 hour of finishing it, I went into labor! She was born 6 hours later.
Lori |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Apr 18 2008 : 2:37:00 PM
I wish I had this site when my daughter was born 2 1/2weeks late. All of the natural methods, that I never knew existed...
I ate spicy meals, walked for miles, rode over railroad tracks. We tried everything everyone suggested. I was miserable, and some health issues were starting to be a concern.
My doctor had me induced- she hooked me up to an IV. After a while, when nothing happened and cranking up the IV, she broke my water for me, and then things moved very fast.
I popped Her Highness right out. I felt great after I had her; I could have run a marathon afterwards. My labor was short, and I pushed her out in three pushes. She came out pouting, it was hysterical, I have pictures. I guess she really didn't want to come out!
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| Patty MorningRamble |
Posted - Apr 18 2008 : 1:41:34 PM
Regardless of the debate over castor oil causing merconium to be a problem, I took it...with root beer to cut the oil aspect of it, took a warm bath, went for a mile hike, 10 days over due and went to bed, woke up a 6 am water broken, contractions 2 minutes apart, had the baby in 30 minutes of arriving at the birthing center. I had also taken squaw vine in the last couple weeks of my due date. My daughter was born so fast, 2 pushes, that her blood vessels in her eyes all broke. I got up off the bed in 15 minutes, took a shower and walked to my room.
Pretty easy birth.
http://morningramble.blogspot.com/
http://morningramblegifts.com/ |
| corporatefarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 18 2008 : 1:14:09 PM
Hi Elizabeth
Many ( Many many ) years ago I was a midwife assistant. At that time I was 3 weeks past due and dilated to 4 for two weeks . Needless to say I was READY to have that baby. We had tried several things that did not work then my midwife told me to go ahead and do the castor oil/orange juice/ hot shower. I had seen it used over the two years I worked with her and it ALWAYS worked. Now the rule is that you can not do this until you are at least one week past the due date. Then you take 1 oz of castor oil in 4 oz of oj. Swallow and then get in a hot shower for 10 minutes. Repeat every 4 hours upto 4x.
My experience was I was so sick from the castor oil I went into labor. All I know is that it worked for me and our 4th child was born in 25 minutes at home!
small farms give big benefits |
| Patty MorningRamble |
Posted - Apr 18 2008 : 12:34:28 PM
here is some information on squaw vine you might find helpful
http://www.geocities.com/littleflowers_2000/partridgeberry.htm
http://morningramble.blogspot.com/
http://morningramblegifts.com/ |
| babysmama |
Posted - Apr 18 2008 : 07:24:09 AM
Thanks for the tips. I am all for natural pregnancy and labor but towards the end I get so tired of being pregnant that it would be nice to see if something works - though I know babies come when they want to! I have been drinking lots of Red Raspberry Tea (I'm drinking a glass of it iced right now). I will look for the Squaw Vine around here...does it just come in tablets or is there tea is well? Which is best? Also, with the Evening Primrose Oil - is that capsules? How many should I take? Can that be found at Walmart? Thanks!
-Elizabeth |
