Folk Remedies for Starting Labor?

Okay, I am almost 39 weeks and at my last doctor's visit, I found out that she does not want me to go past 40 weeks due to my age. So if I show no signs of impending labor soon, she will induce me after my Dec. 1st due date. At this point, I have no sign of labor starting anytime soon.

What are some folk remedies for starting labor? I know they may not help, but I suppose most won't hurt. I know about walking a lot (which may do something), spicy food, eggplant, and sex. Any others?

Re: Folk Remedies for Starting Labor?

walking, wine and certain yoga positions like hip openers ie:squatting

Re: Folk Remedies for Starting Labor?

This is the Eggplant Parm Recipe that started the whole eggplant phenomenon for labor.

I have a friend that I sent this to 2 years ago, she made it and went into labor! Then when she was feeling ready with Baby #2 this past Sept, she emailed me for it again, made it and once again it worked!!

Good Luck!!

Re: Folk Remedies for Starting Labor?

You can also get acupuncture if you really do not want to be induced.

For me it was s*x and staying active. TMI.......but having frequent organsims can help get things going.

Re: Folk Remedies for Starting Labor?

My birthday was my due date so my DH took me to cheese cakefactory for dinner. I had my favorite Louisiana chicken. Next day I was in labor. The doctors said that triggered my labor (spicey food).

Re: Folk Remedies for Starting Labor?

rasberry leaf tea, walking, eggplant and lots of S E X!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Folk Remedies for Starting Labor?

i had my son at 38wk4d and i did, extra walking, wine, sex every other day, lunges, squats, more wine, and more walking.

Re: Folk Remedies for Starting Labor?

I saw on TV midwifes say castor oil works every time. I saw a woman on the show make a shake with vanilla ice cream, orange juice and castor oil. She went into labor later that day.

Re: Folk Remedies for Starting Labor?

isn't chinese food one too?

Re: Folk Remedies for Starting Labor?

Thanks for the suggestions! So lots of walking, squats, sex, and spicy foods among other things! Sex might be a problem though since DH doesn't want to come near me now--mainly because he's afraid he'll hurt the baby, but I also suspect he's just not as interested. Though I guess there are other ways...

Enjoy your Thanksgivings!

Re: Folk Remedies for Starting Labor?

KarenAnthony asked for this today so I'm bumping it...

Message edited 1/2/2008 3:41:20 PM.

Re: Folk Remedies for Starting Labor?

I don't know if you want to do this but Castor Oil was something my friend and cousin did...my cousin was told to take it by her doctor...

Castor Oil Induction
What is a castor oil induction?

In an attempt to start labor, some women will drink a mixture of castor oil and juice. The various recipes for this mixture are generally called a "midwife cocktail."
Why does a castor oil induction work?

Castor oil stimulates the bowels in the same way an enema would. For some unexplained reason, when the bowel is stimulated to empty in this way, the uterus is also stimulated to empty. A study in Alternative Therapies, January 2000, reported that 57.7% of the mothers given castor oil began labor in the specified time period while only 4.3% of the mothers not given castor oil went into labor.

2-6 Hours after drinking the castor oil, the mother will experience diarrhea and should begin contractions.
How do I do it?

There are many "recipes" for the midwife cocktail. They are all built around 2 oz of castor oil (around 4 Tablespoons).

Because castor oil is unpalatable alone, it is mixed with orange juice, grape juice, or tea. Some recipes encourage large volumes of juice to dull the flavor of the oil. Other recipes use only equal amounts of oil and juice so the mother has less to drink.

One recipe I found recommended mixing the oil with a glass of juice and a teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to give the cocktail the feeling of a fizzy drink.

NOTE:| Please be aware that use of castor oil orally will result in some unpleasant side effects. Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting are common in castor oil inductions and are not only uncomfortable during labor but can cause the mother to become dehydrated. Be sure the mother who tries this is drinking enough fluids. Some experts recommend using an enema, which they feel will give the similar results with less discomfort.
Some sample castor oil induction recipes:

These are recipes that I have found while surfing the web or have had e-mailed to me from readers:

2 oz of castor oil mixed with 2 oz of orange juice concentrate. Drink one or two glasses of water immediately after the cocktail.

2 oz of castor oil mixed with a large glass of juice. Serve in a glass with crushed ice.

3 tsp castor oil mixed with a glass of juice and 1 tsp baking soda.

mix 2 oz castor oil and some cola together, follow with 2-3 crackers.