Just For Fun - Old Wives Tales

The massaging nipples does actually work, my midwife said she uses it to encourage labor when it slows down.  As does the sex, but without a condom, it's something in the sperm that's supposed to soften the cervix.  There is also raspberry leaf tea.

Good Luck

I researched some of them with DD and was surprised to find out that the pineapple one actually has some factual/scientific basis.  The problem is that you have to eat MASSIVE amounts to get any actual benefit and it has to be fresh, not canned, so I don't see it making as much difference as many might hope. 

Hopefully I won't have to do too much this time.  I was induced with DD and really don't care to repeat the experience.  You do realize don't you that you don't have to be induced on your due date?  My midwife said the guidelines they give in the NHS are that women can go up to two weeks over before they push you for an induction.  Maybe it's different from trust to trust, but there isn't harm usually in waiting a while to go naturally.  After a couple weeks there are more risks, but I would not let them push me to induce on my due date.  I went two weeks and had about five stretch and sweeps before they did mine.

I researched some of them with DD and was surprised to find out that the pineapple one actually has some factual/scientific basis.  The problem is that you have to eat MASSIVE amounts to get any actual benefit and it has to be fresh, not canned, so I don't see it making as much difference as many might hope.  

I know its true! I ate a small pineapple, as a matter of fact, its the one in the fruit bowl behind me...and it does indeed cause your water to break, but it does not induce labour.

I went two weeks and had about five stretch and sweeps before they did mine.

Oooooouch.

yeah, not the most fun.  I'm praying I'll go on my own this time.  I so don't want to be induced again--besides the fact that labour was bad, I will be forced to go to a different hospital to deliver than the one I want to since my local hospital, which is lovely with their mums, only has a midwife led unit.

Well still no baby.  *TMI ALERT*  Tried the sex and nipple stimulation a few days ago and it really did kick start some powerful contractions (powerful enough that I had to breath through them and couldn't move).  But they died off fairly quickly.     Granted I was really tired so I went to bed.  If I had got up and walked around town they might have kept going...who knows?  Might try that one again later tonight and see what happens...

As far as being induced...I know that technically I can refuse but I've had high blood pressure throughout most of the pregnancy and the consultant said it is affecting my placenta (premature aging).  I don't really know how to confirm/deny that information so I'm just trusting that she knows what's going on...and don't want to put the baby at risk by refusing her suggestion.  She wanted to induce me last week but I talked her into waiting until my due date for an appointment.  She won't set the induction date until then so hopefully I'll get an extra couple of days...if it even comes to that.

I've kinda made peace with the fact that whatever happens will happen...if I end up being induced again then so be it.  Perhaps this new sense of calmness and acceptance will help my body relax and move things along.