Old wives tales?

[proudparent88]

So I know there are old wives tales pretty much about everything. This includes what induces labor. I have heard of castor oil, nipple stimulation, and even sex can induce labor. I am wandering what else there is that is said to induce labor?

I have had an experience with one and it was with sex. 11 Days before my due date with DS1 I DTD with my now ex. Right after I went to the bathroom and when I wiped found a bloody discharge. So I put a pad on but nothing showed on it and I started to have contractions I tried to sleep but it felt impossible. So I stayed up and timed my contractions to see if it was "false" labor or the beginning of something more. I got really upset at OH at that time cause I wanted him to be awake with me and he kept going to sleep so eventually I gave up on him. By 5:45 am the next morning I had been timing for hours and the contractions were every 3 minutes apart lasting for 30-45 seconds but still painful. I went and woke my aunt up as we had just moved into a new place and she was there with my two nieces helping us to get things organized with me being so far along. I told her what was happening and my mom's labor with my brother her first started the same way! So she got up got dressed and we left for the hospital which was 12 miles away. I was scheduled to be induced on the 14th as it was and when I went in they admitted me the doctor decided to start medication to really get my labor going and at 1:02pm on October 12th, 2009 DS1 Alexander James came into our lives healthy but very small. He was 5 pounds 10 ounces 18 3/4 inches long. Even though he was full term premie clothing was too big on him as I had been diagnosed as having IUGR. I am now pregnant with DS3 and desperately hoping to go into labor the same way as I did the first time because it was great! I loved going naturally even though they broke my waters for me and things it was great to get to know that I was in fact starting to move forward.

What are your stories as far as labor started by old wives tales if you have experienced them? If you haven't experienced them what would you like to try to get to kick start your labor? And what all different wives tales are there about things that can stimulate labor?

 

[shinona]

Pineapple, long walks, curry, driving over cobbles. My friend swears that loads of prunes started her off and my mum said that riding on a double decker bus up the stairs at the front brought my sister into the world 12 hours later xx

 

[NurseSooz]

Sex worked a treat! An hour after it I was in labour!

 

[fides]

I actually tried every single one of them, including acupuncture and the cohash herbal tinctures, but none of them worked - DS1 came at EDD+13 and DS2 came at EDD+18.

Guess that's why they're all called old wives' tales?

 

[proudparent88]

Yea I know that they aren't always true but because of my experience the first time around I guess I have a little faith in the sex one. I think it depends on baby and the hormones though.

 

[melfy77]

With dd1 my water just broke

With dd2 I had a sweep at 38+2 (I was 3cm dilated) at 1:30 pm. I then walk for 2-3 hours in a mall, had some green curry thai stir fry, scrub the floor and had a cup of cinnamon tea. I went into active labor around 8-9 pm that night Chances are she was ready to come out and that sweep gave her a little help!

 

[MiasMum]

My daughter was 10 days late, a nice long walk did the trick!