Ways to start dialation?

Question

I'm almost 38 weeks pregnant, not dialating even a pinch or effaced, doc says he won't make me go 2 much longer yesterday, he just says inducing to to early could cause complications such as emergency c-sections which he wants to avoid. I am just curious about ways to get myself to start dialating even a little, why do they say castor oil is bad? What was it originally used for? Where do you get it? I have been trying to walk a lot, but I have been doing this while now and it doesnt seem to help. I also tried having s*x because I heard my husbands s***n should help and I didnt even get so much as a teensy cramp so he's no help LOL. Pineapple juice...could I just eat a pineapple or do I need to go out and buy just the juice? I'm just curious thank you :)

Answer 1

I understand what you're going through! I'm 37 weeks and SO ready for my little girl to be here! I will say that I was dilated to a 2 at my last appointment but my doctor made it clear that basically means nothing because women are "stuck" at a 1 or 2 for weeks, and some women go from a 0 to 4 in a matter of a few hours! I'm with one of the other girls- get an exercise ball.. that's what I've been doing the past week or so and maybe that's what helped me out. I would also suggest the s*x and walking... We can't have THAT much longer right? :) Labor dust to you :)  

Answer 2

I am in the same boat as you! I am 70% effaced though, but no dialation. I have been doing squats praying that this will help :)

Avoid castor oil at all costs...It is SO dangerous. It is basically a laxative for you , but for the baby as well. It may make them have there 1st bowel movement inside of you, which is very dangerous because it can get in there lungs and ugh its just horrible.

Go to Walmart and buy one of those pilates balls and sit on that alot. It helps the baby drop and your pelvis to open up...I am going to get one today. Seems like we are in the same boat, lol my doc said he won't make me go that much further  either! Let's get these babies out! :)

Answer 3

I'm slightly confused, because technically you aren't "full term" until 40 weeks. Some women, especially if you are young and this is your first, deliver past that. Castor oil is bad because it is a laxative, and it works on your baby too. Taking castor oil can make your baby have a bowl movement inside the womb, and then he can inhale the meconium, which can lead to lung infections and even death.  I wouldn't advise it. There isn't much you can really do to induce dilation, except for drugs only your doc can give you. Pretty much it will happen when it happens.  Walking, s*x, etc. work for some people and not others. I've even been told to eat peanut butter cups and drink raspberry tea.  Try everything, as long as it's been cleared by your doctor. But don't be too disappointed if it doesn't work. Good luck!

Answer 4

I am completely baffled here.  WHY does the doctor not want to you past term?  It's GOOD that he doesn't want to induce early (for the reasons he mentions -- you're at higher risk of needing a c-section if induced early), but you really have a full month before you would be considered 'late', so you have plenty of time.

Being not-dilated at 38 weeks is normal.  It means nothing.  It doesn't' mean that you will go late, and it doesn't mean you have to do anything to get yourself moving. It just means that cervical checks during late pregnancy accomplish nothing but making you anxious.

Relax.  You will start to dilate when your body is ready.  This may start to happen a few days or weeks before labor begins, or you may be tightly shut until you are actually in labor.  Either one is COMPLETELY normal.

If you really want to try and get things moving (unlikely to help unless your body IS about ready to go anyway...) I would try simple things like walking, eating spicy foods, and s*x. Probably won't work .. but it will be fun trying.

Do NOT use castor oil. It rarely works anyway, and would NEVER work if you were not already dilated/effaced and 'ready to go.'  It's a powerful laxative.  It 'works' by causing intestinal cramps and diarrhea.  In a  few cases, the intestinal cramps may stimulate cramping in your uterus as well, and jump-start labor.  But in the meantime, it gives you horrible, painful,  diarrhea, probably makes you vomit, and may cause baby to pass meconium en-utero, which is dangerous for him.  

Answer 5

As you near the end of your pregnancy, you may be ready for the entire process of carrying your baby to be over. You'll be eager to start a whole new phase of life and actually meet this little miracle. But you might wonder: When is it safe to try to naturally induce labor, and how do I go about accomplishing that?

You shouldn't even consider trying to begin your labor until you are around 40 weeks pregnant or overdue. That's because your due date could be inaccurate by a few weeks, and if you start your labor before 40 weeks, you might give birth to the baby before he is ready to thrive outside the womb.

Several things can be done that might make you have contractions and start your labor, but they'll only work if your body is ready. If your body isn't prepared to go into labor, you can try as much as your heart desires, but you will only frustrate yourself.

Use caution when trying any of these natural methods to begin your labor, particularly herbs and nipple stimulation. The uterus can become hyperstimulated, meaning that it'll get too little rest between contractions. This can cause the baby to receive less oxygen, resulting in fetal heart rate slowing. Before trying any of these techniques, you should discuss them with your practitioner.

Walk

If you are having contractions but are not yet in labor, walking can help get things going. Walking allows your hips to sway side to side, which will help bring the baby into position to be born. Also, by standing upright, you're using gravity to move the baby down into the pelvis. Another plus: It usually feels good to walk when you are contracting. And of course, even if you don't go into full-blown labor, at least you're getting some exercise.

s*x

Making love can be one of the last things on a woman's mind toward the end of her pregnancy. She feels clumsy and big and may be experiencing a lot of vaginal pressure. But believe it or not, s*x is one of the things you can do to get your labor under way. When you and your partner make love, his s***n (which contains prostaglandins) can stimulate contractions.

Castor oil

For decades, women have been using castor oil to help induce labor. In fact, many old school physicians and midwives swear by it. It can provide good results if you are already in early labor. It is believed to work by causing spasms in the intestines, which surround the uterus toward the end of pregnancy. These spasms, in turn, cause the uterus to cramp, which might result in labor.

You can take 1 to 4 ounces of castor oil mixed with 6 ounces of orange juice to cut its oiliness. You'll want to drink it quickly because of the unpleasant taste. Some practitioners suggest taking a single dose; others suggest repeated doses depending on your response. Keep in mind that castor oil usually will cause your bowels to empty within about three hours. With luck, soon after that, you will be in true labor.

Spicy food

Some people swear that it was that extra-hot enchilada from their favorite Mexican restaurant that brought them face to face with their new baby. Unfortunately, the statistics are out on this one. You could try it, but if you have a full stomach when you are in labor, you might vomit and see that enchilada again--in less-than-appetizing circumstances.

Blue and black cohosh

These herbs are used often to induce labor. They may be particularly effective if you are having weak or irregular contractions. Blue cohosh is believed to make uterine contractions stronger, while black cohosh may regulate the contractions. Together, they work to make contractions more effective. Unfortunately, no studies have determined that these natural treatments are safe, or whether all versions of the herb available for purchase are of equal potency. Be sure to discuss any herbal treatment with your practitioner before attempting it, to see if it is a good idea in your situation.

Nipple stimulation

Some women massage their nipples as a way to induce labor. This stimulation brings about the release of oxytocin, which is the natural form of pitocin. Oxytocin causes contractions, which sometimes evolve into labor.

Most practitioners are not enthusiastic about this method of inducing labor, because it has been known to lead to excessively long, strong uterine contractions sometimes resulting in fetal heart rate slowing. Unless your practitioner advises it and is monitoring your progress closely, nipple stimulation is not recommended as a means for beginning labor.

Stripping the membranes

Your practitioner may offer to "strip your membranes" to help start your labor. This procedure usually feels like a vaginal examination, although it sometimes can be painful or cause cramping. The practitioner places her gloved finger through the cervix and sweeps the amniotic membranes free of their attachment to the lower part of the uterine cavity. This process is believed to release hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which help to read