https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 01:49:36 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-597938 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:20:21 +0000 allison 597938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sex, acupuncture, and red wine sent me into labor. But I was also almost 2 weeks "overdue" so... But I say definitely try the sex and acupuncture. I started losing my mucous plug after my first acupuncture session! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-597123 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:18:23 +0000 Arden 597123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: Yeah, oops. Not that it would hurt you most likely since homeopathics are kind of impossible to overdose on, but still. Yeah, just 3. :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-597115 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:16:16 +0000 Mrs. Blue 597115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: I actually wandered about that!! I was thinking there was no way I would be able to swallow 63 of anything! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-597103 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:13:14 +0000 blackbird 597103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. blue, YAY!!!! SO EXCITED FOR YOU! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-597042 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:02:25 +0000 Arden 597042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just realized I wrote "63 pellets" up there - that was supposed to be 3, lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-596710 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:32:19 +0000 T.H.O.U. 596710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: I gotya. I guess I was just wondering if they would consider at least giving you cervidil to see if it jump started something. It is just meant to soften the cervix which was enough to naturally start labor for me. I know some OB's will even let you get cervidil placed and then sleep at home. Anyways, I know you're high risk so I'm sure your Dr. has the best suggestions for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-596689 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:28:26 +0000 Mrs. Blue 596689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These are awesome tips! I tried sumo walking last night and DH and I finally had to stop because we were laughing too hard. I'll definitely incorporate some of this for the next week and a half and see what happens!</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: I'll just second what @Arden: said about why they want to avoid a long induction. It's extra problematic when you have two babies that could get distressed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-596094 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 23:37:55 +0000 birdofafeather 596094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sex, bouncing on a yoga ball, really flipping long walks. Just waddle as far as you can! Helps to have a goal like coffee or food in the middle! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-596025 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:33:30 +0000 Springtime 596025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely agree with the sex/semen! That really did it for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-596021 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:31:06 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 596021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: I did a version of Sumo walking and I swear by it! I picked up dog poo and pulled weeds in my yard, squatting really with each one, and I went into labor a couple hours later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595976 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:58:48 +0000 Smurfette 595976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: how much did you bounce on the yoga ball?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595968 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:57:18 +0000 photojane 595968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a very easy and successful induction (only 5 hours of active labor), since I was primed and ready. I went in to the induction the day after my due date already at 4cm and 80% effaced. In the weeks leading up to my due date I went for lots of walks and made sure I spent 30 minutes bouncing on my ball every night (while we watched Wheel of Fortune!). Hubs and I also got funky fresh a couple times near the end, but it was awkward and we laughed the whole time... it could've helped, but I don't think so. :) I think bouncing on the yoga ball was the thing that helped the most! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595943 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:44:35 +0000 sslm 595943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@aprk: lol. Yummy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595894 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:21:24 +0000 Arden 595894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: The less favorable your body is for an induction, the longer the induction typically lasts and the higher the risk of it ending in an unfavorable outcome.<br /> I think her doctor is concerned that a long and drawn out induction would stress the boys out unnecessarily (large amounts of Pitocin frequently cause fetal distress), so he's choosing to go directly to c-section if an induction isn't medically indicated. </p> <p>I would agree with that, since a failed induction followed by a c-section is not exactly easy on Mama or babies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595881 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:17:11 +0000 Arden 595881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>- Red raspberry leaf tea (or capsules) in large amounts.</p> <p>- Sex. Or to be more specific, semen applied to the cervix which is a byproduct of sex. Orgasm can also help.</p> <p>- Dates. Date fruit has been proven in one or two recent studies to help ripen the cervix and lower induction rates. They recommend six dates a day.</p> <p>- Pineapple. This may work, but only in huge amounts and most of the benefits are in the core - not so tasty. </p> <p>- Exercise. Walking, bouncing on the exercise ball, swinging at the park, and most of all - SUMO WALKING! Spread your legs apart into a squat, have your husband walk in front of you and hold onto him for support, and stomp around in that position. Looks silly, works wonders. :)</p> <p>- Acupuncture/Acupressure. Seriously worth a try - I've heard SO many positive testimonies to acupuncture/pressure "inductions". </p> <p>- Homeopathics. These are hotly debated (many believe they are completely useless and do nothing at all), but I'm in the camp of - "Well, they sure can't hurt so why not?" I'm not an expert on these, but a commonly recommended routine is:<br /> Monday: 3 (12c) pellets Cimicifuga<br /> Wednesday: 63 (12c) pellets Caullophyllum<br /> Friday: 3 (12c) pellets Arnica<br /> I believe someone wrote a post about supplements in the blog last week that mentioned homeopathics and the routine she took. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595782 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:37:38 +0000 Mrs. Pen 595782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Awww sooo soon! Your pregnancy has gone so quickly :) eek! So happy for you :)</p> <p>I second the others:</p> <p>Red raspberry LEAF tea<br /> Foot/calf and hand massages (trigger points)<br /> Sex (orgasms made me have BH contractions!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595770 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:35:17 +0000 rachiecakes 595770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@aprk: hahaha</p> <p>I wish we could've DTD before I was induced (I was on bed rest with very strict orders) - all it took was a touch of the cervidil patch and my water popped like a balloon! I have a feeling I would've been able to avoid that part all together if we'd BD! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595765 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:34:25 +0000 PrincessBaby 595765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took evening primrose oil in my hooha...I definitely don't think it helped though bc all the pitocin in the world was pumped through my body and I was still in labor ( induced) for 36 hours! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595747 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:31:14 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 595747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@aprk: You funny! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595738 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:29:57 +0000 aprk 595738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sslm: that sounds like an awful cocktail, lol ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595734 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:29:03 +0000 sslm 595734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Red raspberry leaf tea and semen!!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595725 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:26:52 +0000 Mrs. Chalk 595725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My midwife recommended evening primrose oil. I took it orally, but I think there are, umm, other options as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595707 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:20:51 +0000 T.H.O.U. 595707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Red raspberry leaf tea is what I've heard. </p> <p>Also not sure why but would they let you at least try an induction even if your cervix isn't favorable? I wasn't high risk but I went for the Induction and after the cervidil softened my cervix my water broke naturally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595659 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:06:04 +0000 littlebug 595659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pineapple and dates. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595640 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:57:02 +0000 hilsy85 595640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hm maybe red raspberry leaf tea? I walked a ton, bounced on a yoga ball, and had reflexology done which I think really helped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595639 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:57:01 +0000 prettylizy 595639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Semen has something in it that will help ripen the cervix, so if you can handle it, get down with your bad selves!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595635 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:55:41 +0000 MamaMoose 595635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bouncing on a yoga ball put me into labor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595620 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:49:24 +0000 immabeetoo 595620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sex!! And pineapple. That's all I have to offer :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595617 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:48:00 +0000 pl0508 595617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice but wanted to say I can't believe it's almost time for your boys to be here ?!?! I haven't been on the bump board in forever so I have missed your beautiful pics ! So exciting :) hopefully you will get some good advice ! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-can-i-do-to-encourage-my-cervix-to-start-softening#post-595616 Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:47:59 +0000 matador84 595616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I SWEAR acupressure helped induce my labor. I was 100% effaced for like 2 weeks! YouTube "acupressure induction" </p>