My unsuccessful natural induction If your due date's come and gone but baby's still showing no signs of making an appearance, you may be feeling pretty frustrated. Many women will try absolutely anything to get things going! Here, mums from our community share their stories of inducing labour naturally.Keeping active"Last time I was pregnant, I'd spent the day shopping with my folks when I lost my mucus plug, and my baby was born that night. I'll certainly be trying some brisk walks again this time around!" "A friend of mine went for a walk, with one foot on the path and the other on the road, so she was walking wonky. She must have looked like a right doughnut but she claims it worked, as her baby was born the next day!" "Try dancing it out! I had a little boogie with both my pregnancies and was in labour within a few hours." AnnaA helping hand"When I was expecting my first we tried nipple stimulation and it worked a treat. Not even five minutes after we started, my waters went.
I think it only works if baby is ready to make an appearance, though." "Doing the deed definitely brought on my labour!" SarahComplementary therapies"Acupressure worked for me last time. I tried it above my ankle and on my hand, and was in labour by the time I woke up the next morning. I'd definitely try it again." "I was 11 days late, so I made a reflexology appointment. It was very relaxing and the next day I went into labour." MillieSimply relaxing"I had tried everything and was getting quite stressed about it. In the end, simply chilling out with a small glass of rosé seemed to do the trick." "When my third baby was overdue, I spent a lot of the last few days in a rocking chair. I was just trying to get the baby's head into a good position for birth, but I think the fact that the movement was so relaxing helped a lot too." MoiraUnconventional methods"The day I went into labour, my friend came round with news of her very unexpected pregnancy. I went into labour three hours later and have always said that it was the shock of her announcement that brought it on!"
"I have just had my second child and I know it sounds ridiculous but both times I went into labour after eating macaroni cheese!" WendyMy unsuccessful natural induction "I honestly think all these natural induction methods are just old wives' tales. Nothing seems to have worked!" "I tried it all: long walks, pineapple, curry, sex, getting on my hands and knees and washing the kitchen floor - all of it! I think that home remedies for labour induction will only work if your body is ready to give birth." If you're overdue and natural induction doesn't work for you, your midwife or doctor will offer you medical procedures to induce your labour. Find out what it's like by reading these real-life induction stories. Track your baby’s development Join now to receive free weekly newsletters tracking your baby’s development and yours throughout your pregnancy. Enter your due date or child's birthday Enter your email address Privacy policy & terms
Support for your parenting journey. Delivered to your inbox. My Baby This Week Newsletter Keep up with your baby’s development with personalised weekly newsletters. Get the latest parenting news, plus expert advice and real-world wisdom. Special Offers from Our Partners Receive discounts, deals and parenting information from BabyCentre’s partners. Log in or sign up to post a comment!How do I induce labor naturally? More info on this topic Holistic Pregnancy & Childbirth Home Factors that influence birth Preparing for pregnancy and birth Classes and birth plans Your body is perfectly designed to promote a healthy pregnancy and childbirth. For the majority of healthy women, childbirth progresses spontaneously without complications. However, there are steps you can take to promote this normal progression, and there are factors that can interfere with it. What are the physical factors? Many physical factors can promote the progression of labor.
Position of the baby The position of your baby might play a role. Most babies navigate best through the pelvis if they are head down, with their face toward your spine. This is called an anterior position. During the last weeks of pregnancy, try to promote this positioning of your baby. Avoid lying on your back. When relaxing, choose forward leaning positions such as sitting on a physical therapy ball with your legs apart. When resting or sleeping, lay on your side as far to your stomach as you comfortably can. The page you're looking for may have been moved or deleted. What you can do:Check for a typo in your URL.Go back to the page you came from.Search using the box below.Contact us about the problem. Fetal development, week by week Milestone charts: Birth to age 3 Quick guide to pregnancy Popular in Our Community Find your Birth Club Peek at pregnant bellies Type in a name to see its popularity, meaning, and others you might like.
Pelvic tilts, also known as pelvic rocks, are an exercise many healthcare professionals recommend for an expectant mother who is experiencing back pain, especially when she’s close to her due date. Pelvic tilts are great for toning muscles and ligaments that support internal organs. Plus, they are great for easing tension, correcting your posture, and improving circulation. There are many ways to do a pelvic rock or pelvic tilt. You can do them while standing, in a lying down position on your back or your side, while seated, or on your hands and knees. Any of these positions are effective, since the combination of the hip movements and rocking of the pelvis in motion is pretty consistent. If you’re not sure about any of these exercises, ask your healthcare provider to help you or show you how. Many hospitals, community agencies, and clinics offer special exercise classes for expectant mothers. For exercising at home, try these simple instructions for each of the methods: Passive Pelvic Tilts: With the expectant mother positioned comfortably on her left side, an assistant should stand behind her, cupping their left hand over the iliac crest (the hip bone) and placing their right hand on the sacrum (the base of the spine).
Moving the arms in a bicycle-type motion, rotate the pelvis. If you get tired, your assistant can take over. Seated Pelvic Tilts: As you inhale, look upward and rock your pelvis forward while arching your back. Then begin exhaling and look down towards your lap while rounding your back. Repeat this pattern eight to ten times. Hands and Knees: While on your hands and knees, keep your back straight and your head level with your back. Tighten your buttocks and abdominal muscles, pulling in and upward. Lean your upper torso toward the floor and move your hips up and down, back and forth. Hold this position for a few seconds. Return to original position and keep in mind that it’s important to keep your back straight, not arched. Repeat this three to five times. Lying on Back: While lying flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, slightly rock your pelvis forward so that your lower spine is flat against the floor. Hold this position for several seconds, and then relax the pelvis so that you are lying in a natural position with your lower back slightly curved away from the surface of the floor.
If you begin to feel dizzy or light headed, discontinue this series. Standing Pelvic Tilts: Make sure you have a sturdy chair to do this exercise. Stand two feet away from the back of the chair and bend slightly forward from your hips. Place your hands on the back of the chair and keep your elbows straight. Thrust your hips backward and relax your abdominal muscles. Slightly bend your knees and slowly pull your hips forward. Tighten your buttocks muscles, and repeat. If you feel labor coming on, or if labor keeps coming and going, you can help induce labor through pelvic tilts. Most childbirth preparation classes require exercises, and pelvic tilts are a top choice for many women seeking to move the baby into a snugger or closer position against the cervix to stimulate stronger contractions. Your doctor, midwife, nurse, or other healthcare provider may want you to do these exercises throughout your pregnancy because they help in other ways, such as improving your posture and relieving back pain.