Weird Questions

[Lolly]

OK I have a few weird question. I have been looking into the ways to bring on labour at 36 weeks. I had Obstetric cholestasis with my last pregnancy. If it happens again I think the most realistic chance of me getting a VBAC are if I start the process of myself.

Some of the ladies have recommended EPO. How long do you have to take/apply this before labour would start? Do you only take it the day before or do you take if for weeks leading up to the birth? If I use this method will this increase my risk of going into labour earlier than 36 weeks if I have to take it for a while?

I have been looking into nipple simulation. (this is where my question gets weird). Does the stimulation have to be of a sexual nature? I have never been aroused by nipple stimulation in the bedroom in fact I find it kind of irritating so if that is what is required than I doubt that I will get the result from my body that I need for this method to work.

[Peace Angel]

Any sexual stimulation will release oxytocin - the sex and labouring hormone.

I guess do what normally works for you sexually and it will have the same effect. Sorry not sure about EPO.

[bjrose]

I think nipple stimulation has to be done for a minimum of like a few hours all up a day. There are certain ways of doing it. I don't think it needs to be sexual. Just enough to aggrivate your uterus. Just like BFing does after to shrink your uterus back to its original size.

DTD can be a great help. Your DH/DP's boy stuff also has I think oxytocin? in it. It has something anyway that helps to ripen the cervix.

EPO I'm not too sure about. There is also RLT (rasberry leaf tea) which is used to tone the uterus & can bring on labour. You can get it in tea or tablet form & its good to be started at around 30 weeks I think to prepare for labour. I think its about 4 cups a day??

Walking is also a good thing to induce labour naturally (if your as lucky as me).

You could also try a stretch & sweep of the cervix, but it should be done by a health care professional.

Unfortunately though, no matter what you try, nothing is guaranteed to work. There is also accupuncture & things along those lines.

Good luck & I hope it all goes well!

[sneakysparkle]

EPO works by ripening your cervix - there is info in one of the BB articles here... not sure how to post the link sorry! But you should be safe taking it now.
All the best!

[Tweetsta]

There are a few ways to try and bring on labour. Brisk walking. Sex....lots of sex, as sperm has something in it that softens the cervix ready for labour. But the best one i think (it got me going) is to drink a little bit of Castor oil with freshly squeezed orange juice. I know it sounds gross but it works. I had some at about 6 in the evening and was in labour (starting to contract) at 11 the same night. It gives you the runs a bit but it does work. You get it from the chemist. Get a few oranges and squeeze them yourself and add..i think its 2 or 3 teaspoons...to your orange juice and drink away.

[satya]

After 37 weeks I was keen to get things going and I used orgasm for this purpose. No need to actually DTD if you don't feel like it. Just one O per day for 3 days did the trick for me. Once the pre labour started I went for a big walk around a shopping centre at lunch time and by 9pm I was fully in labour.

[Lolly]

Thanks for your advice ladies. This info is great.