https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 16 May 2026 22:38:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-self-induction-methods#post-2004437 Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:38:46 +0000 MamaBehr 2004437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Evening Primrose Oil. It totally made my water break with my second, though I didn't go into labor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-self-induction-methods#post-2004432 Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:35:40 +0000 MrsMccarthy 2004432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tried everything. EVERYTHING! No castor oil because that's dangerous and can cause meconium but yeah all the other stuff I tried like breast pump and long walks and bouncing and spicy food and sex and eggplant parmesan... It was useless! I was miserable by 39 and a half weeks and didn't deliver till 40 +5 by medically necessary induction. My advice is to physically prepare yourself to go early. Pack your bag and have everything ready. But mentally prepare to go as much as a week or more late. Book some dates and things on your due date and beyond. Especially if you are older because most (not all) older moms go late. I kind of think trying to much to naturally induce just adds to stress or it did in my case. Hang in there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-self-induction-methods#post-2004372 Wed, 31 Dec 2014 14:48:53 +0000 littlejoy 2004372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Miss Ariel: Yes! I did pregnancy tea after my 2nd trimester ended. Loved it! I think the red raspberry leaf really helps. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-self-induction-methods#post-2003561 Wed, 31 Dec 2014 04:45:41 +0000 Snowdrop 2003561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nipple stimulation either manual or pumping is the only thing with solid proof. Also eating dates (6 a day from 36 weeks) has recently been shown to reduce artificial induction rates, it is a good study but there has only been one done.<br /> No personal experience yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-self-induction-methods#post-2003419 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:36:23 +0000 Miss Ariel 2003419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had at least one cup of raspberry leaf tea starting at 38 weeks or so. No idea if it really made a difference but I did go into labor on my due date and deliver the following day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-self-induction-methods#post-2003374 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 21:45:17 +0000 mrsrugbee 2003374@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish I knew. I tried pumping after 38 weeks. My water broke a 40 weeks without labour and I spent all day trying to get into labout on my own. With a combination of blue cohosh, pumping all day and castor oil, it got me started but I ended up having to be induced! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-self-induction-methods#post-2003373 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 21:44:53 +0000 JessKas 2003373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tried pretty much everything. My water broke about fifteen minutes after trying the breast pump for the first time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-self-induction-methods#post-2003269 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 19:54:37 +0000 littlejoy 2003269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think baby will come when he/she is ready. BUT, when I was 38 weeks, I was ready to try some different things!! :)</p> <p>I started pumping at night at 38 weeks. I would get drops, but pumping can release oxytocin, which can increase contractions (or start them). I also did some hand expression of colostrum onto a spoon. I will do this again next time, as I am predisposed to having low supply, and those little drops count. </p> <p>At 37 weeks, I started acupuncture. Specifically targeting cervical ripening points. I went into labor the day after my appt at 39w 3d, and I really think it helped. </p> <p>Sex can work. Semen contains chemicals that can soften the cervix, and if it's good sex, you'll have a ton of oxytocin. </p> <p>Other than that, I don't think any food can really work. Same with castor oil, etc. It's suggested not to do anything crazy like that, because it could cause dehydration if you end up with loose stools or vomiting. </p> <p>Lastly, I would have considered a membrane sweep, but only after 40 weeks, as there's a risk of rupturing membranes. I wouldn't want to be on antibiotics unless needed, so I would wait as long as possible before that. (Membranes ruptured for more than 24 hours without baby can lead to infection, increasing the chance of cesarean. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-self-induction-methods#post-2003195 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 19:00:43 +0000 cascademom 2003195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Walking, but I did it at 39w4d. I would just enjoy the alone time, go on a date, see a movie before life gets very scheduled and less spontaneous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-self-induction-methods#post-2003193 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:58:59 +0000 blackbird 2003193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Using a breast pump is the only truly proven method! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-self-induction-methods#post-2003089 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 17:56:11 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2003089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 38 weeks tomorrow.. so probably too soon to start thinking about this. But, I would like to meet my baby sooner than later! What are your tried and true induction methods? </p>