Here are some old wives tales about pregnancy that are rumored to induce labor. Proceed with caution.
When the clock strikes midnight on your estimated due date it begins. You try to rationalize that labor is coming. Maybe even tonight. You just know that your OB/GYN will be so shocked to see that you went from the 0 cm at the appointment that morning to 5 cm and ready to be admitted that you are sure will happen overnight.
Two days later your OB/GYN tells you that you might be able to deliver a pencil. No signs of labor have begun. This can go on and on. You now begin to worry about artificially inducing labor. This is just a waiting game. So why not play around with a few old wives tales?
I will tell you what others have told me and many more like me. Some claim to be medically true - others have no hope. All that they will do for you is to put you in the right frame of mind - and hopefully your body will follow.
Let's begin with just what every overdue pregnant woman wants to do - have sex! If you can possible get yourself in the mood (and the position) many people will say it will bring on labor. A man's semen is said to help ripen the cervix and a woman's orgasm is said to work the muscles that will be used in labor and may stimulate them to work. So give it a try - or just read on.
If you aren't up to sex - how about a breast massage. Either from yourself, your partner, or a breast pump. This has been medically recommended at times - but comes with many warnings - so check with doctor before you try nipple stimulation.
This one may only get you sick to your stomach - but I admit that I tried it. I was 12 days overdue and thought that it might give me a mental edge. Didn't work here - but others swear by it. The ingredients of this one vary but you must have a blue box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner. The general consensus is that you need A1 or Lea &Perrins Worchestire Sauce. Now here is the fun part. Your labor partner must make the Macaroni & Cheese for you and you cannot be in the same room. So if you are like me -that is almost anxiety enough. My husband - at the stove! Labor Partner should then bring you a bowl and the condiment. You are supposed to add as much or little as you want. More is said to bring it on faster. Then you should eat as much as you possibly can but you don't have to clean the bowl. Good luck!
If you couldn't stomach the mac'n'cheese then you need to order the spiciest foreign food you can find. Mexican is the one that many people swear by - but others say Italian or Oriental. If you like the food and don't mind the heartburn then go for it.
Here's another one that every pregnant woman can't wait to do. Physical exercise. Some women swear by curb walking - supposed to help loosen up the right places to go into labor. Other swear by jumping rope. Yet others say that you must climb and descend stairs. There are many activities people say to do - but beware here because you are pregnant and some activities are not recommended for pregnant women. Stick to regular walking, for safety's sake.
This is also one that has put more than a few women into labor, or so the old wives say. Get a scrub brush and get down on your knees and scrub your entire kitchen floor. At least you will have a shiny floor!
This is one that every pregnant woman can do. Don't shave. It's like Murphy's Law - if you are not prepared it will happen. Unpack your hospital bag. Let your husband go off with his friends. Far away. Go walk the mall because surely your water should break in a public place.
Naturalists believe in rubbing evening primrose oil onto the cervix. So if doctor okays it and you feel like finding your cervix I guess you could try it.
In the end there are many tales that are out there to be told that bring on labor. Yet baby may not respond to any of them. Do become well informed on the medical ways to induce labor and try the least invasive techniques first. Do not let your doctor go straight to pitocin if you are not an emergency case.
Best wishes with the little one who takes her sweet time (old wives say that girls are the ones most likely to be overdue).
