https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 03:03:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913685 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 17:11:37 +0000 Pepper 913685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sex and nipple stimulation gave me contractions, but nothing that progressed into labor. A membrane sweep/rough check is what sent me into labor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913660 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 17:01:24 +0000 Bookish 913660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, the night before my water broke last week I had sex, did squats, and stimulated my nipples. Who knows if I would have gone into labor anyways (probably ;)) but still, it's neat to think I much have helped lol. Good luck :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913585 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 16:18:39 +0000 LomaLinda 913585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I drove myself crazy trying to self-induce. Walking, sex, RRL tea, pineapple, and bouncing on a yoga ball for hours. On my way to the hospital to be induced at 41+1 my pre-labor contractions changed into "real" contractions. They never had to up my pitocin past a "2." I don't know if all the things I did to start labor made that possible or not but I'd like to think I helped to prepare my body for the smooth and easy induction that I had! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913574 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 16:16:12 +0000 loveisstrange 913574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shutterbug: @Espion: I think that the accent thing is hilarious because I've met her and her's isn't super thick! I think it must be the British vocabulary/jargon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913565 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 16:12:47 +0000 Foodnerd81 913565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am selfishly reading all these tips and keeping them in mind for a week after I stop working. I want that week at home, without the baby, but then it will be all systems go. I have a good feeling that you will go a bit early on your own-- AFTER your DH gets back.<br /> I did hear lobster supposedly is another food that will help jump start labor. I don't care if that's true or not, I'll be eating lots of lobster leading up to labor :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913524 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:57:35 +0000 MamaMagpie 913524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No tips, but good luck!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913516 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:52:40 +0000 Cherrybee 913516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FarmWifeGina: Great, thank you. Yeah, even if I have to be induced chemically (and have made peace with that), anything I can do to make the process go smoothly will benefit me and baby, I'm sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913515 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:52:39 +0000 78h2o 913515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I swear that bouncing on a ball helped speed up my labor. Whenever I bounced the contractions came closer together, whenever I stopped, they were further apart. I wish I'd gotten on the ball sooner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913506 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:50:11 +0000 Cherrybee 913506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shutterbug: @Espion: Hahaha! So many people have said that to me on here!!! I wonder if I sound anything like you all think I do? I was told by some Canadians we met on holiday that my accent was "soooo cute" and they squealed with delight every time I said anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913495 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:47:02 +0000 FarmWifeGina 913495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: Right on! Won't do anything for a poorly shaped pelvis, or a poorly positioned baby, which is more often the issue with getting labor started! @Cherrybee: It takes a LOT of work to make a non-chemical induction work, but fetal positioning is a key part of that success. So, yeah, spinningbabies.com and google the Miles Circuit for more info on absolutely optimal fetal positioning and how to get baby there. Even if the natural induction methods don't work, having baby in a good position is every bit as important as a good Bishop score for a medical induction to go smoothly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913477 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:39:13 +0000 travellingbee 913477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nothing worked for me except a vigorous stripping of membranes at 40+4. I tried everything!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913473 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:38:49 +0000 Espion 913473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shutterbug: Ha! I didn't read your post, but I said the same thing re: accent! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913470 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:37:29 +0000 Espion 913470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I think you are the only bee that I read with an accent in my head, lol!<br /> I never went into labor naturally and I had a super drawn out induction that resulted in a c-section, BUT I think that the RRL tea I drank in the weeks prior helped. It is supposed to "tone" the uterus to contract effectively, and it took just the merest smidge of pitocin for my uterus to respond like gangbusters. </p> <p>In the end, anatomy is destiny. Not all the spicy food, pineapple, sex or RRL tea in the world would have made a difference for a poorly shaped pelvis! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913454 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:32:57 +0000 cascademom 913454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went into labor three days ahead of my due date. I think it was the substantial amount of walking I did before it. I didn't do any of the walking on purpose to start labor, just did it out of necessity living in a city. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913410 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:23:32 +0000 Cherrybee 913410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: Mmm, I love Indian food and I love aubergine. That's going on the list! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913376 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:16:24 +0000 lamariniere 913376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Indian food with eggplant! I had some a week before I was due and started leaking cervical fluid -- but I thought my amniotic fluid was leaking. Three days later I had a similar Indian dish with eggplant and my water broke for real. DS was born the next morning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913304 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:01:53 +0000 blackbird 913304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not a thing worked for me, Buuuut a friend of mine swears by her breast pump to start contractions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913298 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:00:20 +0000 Shutterbug 913298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: aw hang in there! I obviously have no good advice, what with not ever being pregnant, but I just wanted to pop in to tell you that I always read your posts in (my own version of) your accent in my head, haha! I wish people in this country said poppet!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913295 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 14:59:14 +0000 Smurfette 913295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We walked a lot during the day the night my water broke. The lady in Lowe's asked me if the concrete was making me have contraction. No clue what she was talking about but maybe that is what did it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913284 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 14:57:24 +0000 Cherrybee 913284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: Bowling is an awesome idea!! I'm going to insist DH takes me bowling!! They might think I'm trying to smuggle a ball out....! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913271 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 14:54:55 +0000 loveisstrange 913271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sex only works if you enjoy it to it's "conclusion". If you dont think it will get there, dont bother. I know my full term ass couldn't have had an orgasm.</p> <p>Evening Primrose Oil! It softens the cervix. Even if it didnt send me into labor, I feel like it really helped my induction go quickly. </p> <p>I went bowling at 40+4 and my water broke that same night. lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913250 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 14:48:46 +0000 Cherrybee 913250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH is going to be horrified when I suggest sex! He hasn't come near me for 4 months!!! </p> <p>@FarmWifeGina: Yes! This is the kind of language I'm looking for!! "Complete induction methods" that don't involve crazy-ass chemicals and being strapped to a bed like an inmate of a Victorian lunatic asylum! </p> <p>Even if they don't "work", it will make me feel a little more empowered, I hope! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913210 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 14:39:25 +0000 lovehoneybee 913210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: No, not really, just a little bit of colostrum. Maybe a teaspoon worth, total. And I agree with @FarmWifeGina: at my midwife's suggestion I tried it several times but it was definitely most effective when I did it after contracting for almost 12 hours. They were still pretty far apart (10-12 minutes) and not horribly strong, but afterwards they definitely picked up a lot, fast. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913208 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 14:39:15 +0000 littlebittyhouse 913208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>sex, sex, sex and RRL </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913195 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 14:35:15 +0000 FarmWifeGina 913195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yoga ball, maybe some Spinning Babies, the Miles Circuit, and pumping. Oh, and really, really, REALLY strong RRL tea, 1 qt. within 30 minutes. I've heard of pumping being used as a complete induction method, from no contractions to labor, it takes a lot if dedication and time, but it can work. I think it's more effective though if you already have some contractions going on. It definitely kicked my second labor from latent, first-stage piddly labor to "Ok, yes, I'm definitely in labor now." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913186 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 14:33:33 +0000 Cherrybee 913186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: Oh poppet, you must be so fed up. I wish I could do something. Have you tried brisk walking? I get cramps and pressure every time I walk too far, which is why I'm staying off my feet until DH finishes this darn tour!! Once he's back, I'm getting my marathon training on!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913165 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 14:30:15 +0000 Bao 913165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I bounced on my ball a lot and took a lot of long walks, I really think it helped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-913158 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 14:28:35 +0000 deerylou 913158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you find something that works, please let me know. I'm five days overdue, and feel like I'm a giant, sexed up, pineapple attached to a yoga ball. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-912838 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 13:10:27 +0000 heffalump 912838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tried most of the old wives tales and nothing helped. Baby comes when baby wants to come. Hopefully your baby wants to come a little early :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-the-body-and-kick-starting-labour-tips-suggestions-old-wives-tales#post-912826 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 13:06:02 +0000 hilsy85 912826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sex, walking, and bouncing on a ball! Also reflexology--I had it done Wednesday afternoon and my water broke Thursday morning! </p> <p>Also, maybe a "rough" cervical exam by your doctor? </p>