Alternative Labour Inducing Methods?

Question

I am now pregnant with my second child, and i'm looking for some information about alternative methods of inducing labour.

I was forced to have a emergency cesarean as I was well over my due date, and not dilating. The hospital was using the gel to try help dilate but been new years day, the hospital was hectic and this wasnt done properly (resulting in the cesar)

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated, as I can quite confidently say having that cesar was the most horrific experience of my life, and I do not want another!!

Answer 1

Yes, please don't get ideas for something like this from anonymous people on a website.  Do NOT do anything yourself--consult a midwife!

Answer 2

You should ask around your area about mid-wives, many are experienced with the corrects herbs and things that can stimulate labor. This is not something for a novice as it could result in very dire consequences.

Answer 3

Not recommended, but always a classic -castor oil...

Walking, eating pineapple, and having s*x are also supposed to help.  None of them helped me.  (Maybe you have to do them in a certain order LOL)

Answer 4

I might be frowned upon by other herbalists for liking castor oil but if it's a choice between castor oil or drugs and surgery I know which I would choose. It worked for me at 10 days past 'due' date.

However, toning the uterus in the months before childbirth is the best idea, rather than leaving it to the last hours to try to bring on a stalled labour.

Raspberry leaf tea in the last trimester is an absolute must. It has great tonifying effects on the uterine muscle promoting effective contractions during labour and also for retraction of the uterus after the birth. Start with just one cup daily for a few weeks and then take 2 to 3 cups daily for the last couple of months of pregnancy.

It has a pleasant taste. Make it like you would make ordinary tea with about a teaspoon of dried leaf per cup of water.

Magnesium is a major mineral to take during pregnancy. It also helps the tone of all muslces including the uterus and reduces spasm so that the cervix can dilate and the uterus can contract and release, contract and release without excessive spasm or useless slackness.

Take 80 to 130mg daily.

By the way, magnesium deficiency is common world wide and may be the cause of many miscarriages.

I agree with the other answers - seek out a midwife that is knowledgeable in herbal medicine. Word of mouth will bring you the right person. Also visit your local herbalist with whom you can discuss specifics. A herbalist can give you a formula of safe and effective herbs.

I wish you a safe and rewarding second experience of childbirth.