Well the little man has finally arrived so what pregnancy-parenting blog would be complete without a little labour story!? I’m going to do it in two parts as it’s all quite long, so this will be the build up, the tips I followed to bringing him along etc and then I’ll do part 2 of the main event!
I loved every minute of being pregnant. Of course there were times, especially close to my due date, when I got impatient, achy and a general pain to be around, but I really did love being pregnant. It was the bump, the movements, even the dark line I got down my belly. However as my due date got closer my impatience got the better of me and I started doing things to bring Rabbit along a little quicker. Of course I waited until I was full term, and I never tried anything too extreme, just the usual old wives tales that all the women in your family (and Google) suggest.
I spent from week 37 bouncing on the exercise ball, eating jalepaenos straight from the jar and ordering a side of vindaloo sauce to go with our bi-weekly Indian takeaways!
On top of that I used lavender oil and clary sage in my bath every night. I took raspberry leaf tablets and I squatted and danced around the house whenever I was on my own! (No one wants to see a pregnant lady doing that).
Despite my clearly enthusiastic efforts, trying all of the major tips I was given except for the S word and going for walks, my due date came and still no bambino.
I turned 40 weeks on Saturday 12th April. I didn’t think he’d come that day as only 5% of babies do, but from then on the waiting game became a little/lot more intense. We spent the day at a family bbq where I spent a bit of time jumping on the trampoline to edge him along. I took the stairs a little quicker than usual and continued with all of my usual attempts to kickstart labourโฆ nada.
Sunday 13th I had real flu like symptoms. I was tired, had a cold and a cough – all signs that I’d read online could be the start of labour. This would have made me really excited however due to sitting outside in the sun, not in the shade as I should have been, I also had a migraine to go with it. I spent the day in bed (very unsociable considering we had friends over) and felt far from ready to give birth!
Pete got quite worried, and so did my parents, especially as migraines can be linked to preeclampsia, so Pete called the labour unit. They said to take paracetamol and when they called back an hour later I felt so much better – a sign that little Rabbit wasn’t coming that day either. They ruled out preeclampsia as I didn’t have any other symptoms like swelling, so that was a relief.
Pete took the next week off work. I think because Rhys was born at 39 weeks via elective c-section, and Rabbit was due on the 12th he didn’t really consider that he would be late – he was coming on time or very close to it in his eyes!
On Monday 14th we went for a long walk, again to jig him along and then I had my 40 week midwife appointment where she did a sweep. You can read about it al in my 40 week Bumpdate so I won’t bore you by repeating it, but pretty much all it brought on were some strong Braxton Hicks and backache.
Tuesday 15th my sister in law invited me over to go for a long walk with my niece and nephew. She’d walked a lot before both her kiddies were born and said it really helped so I was more than up for trying. I felt like I had loads of energy but part of me also didn’t want to get my hopes up! Once back at home, I then spent the afternoon on the exercise ball, sipping raspberry leaf tea and again, munching on jalapaenos.
Well that evening Rabbit decided it was time he made his way to meet us! Now I’m not saying that any of those things necessarily made my labour start, in fact it quite annoys me when people say ‘I had a curry and 10 minutes later my waters broke’ yea well your waters could have been due to break at that time anyway right?
What I’ve realised is that trying all of these things gave me a really positive mental attitude. Knowing that I was taking steps towards labour helped me to prepare not only emotionally but by getting the house ready, the bags packed and by keeping me sane in the knowledge that I would in fact be meeting my son very soon!
Some things I’d say were neither here nor there in terms of having any other kinds of benefits. The clary sage I could have lived without, as well as the vindaloo’s and jalepaenos. The lavender oil however made me feel so relaxed I’m still using it in every bath now. The walks gave me a chance to get some fresh air and endorphins while the ย dancing and squatting ย was preparing me for my squat challenge I’ll be starting soon! (bikini bod at the ready).
Theres no harm in trying the old wives tales, only the safe ones of course! If nothing more, it can make you feel more proactive, prepared and positive about the impending labour and arrival of your little one!
What tips and tricks did you guys try to kick start labour?
Do you think it’s right to, or should you just let nature take it’s course?
Thanks for reading and keep an eye out for the main event post!
xxx
22 Comments
Lauren
24th April 2014 at 3:07 pmI drank raspberry leaf tea and walked alot, but it was the sweep that started me off! But the midwife did comment that the raspberry leaf tea does help with dilation.
Congratulations again! Can’t wait for part 2!
xxx
Jessica
28th April 2014 at 2:11 pmI thought it tasted horrible, in the end I just took the tablets so I didn’t have to taste them! Thanks lovely ๐
Becky
25th April 2014 at 8:25 amOh goodness that brings it all back! I tried EVERYTHING to get Tyler out but still ended up being induced and even then ending in an EMCS he was just too cosy stuck up under my ribs! Looking forward to reading you labour story
Jessica
28th April 2014 at 2:12 pmI guess it’s a compliment that they get so comfy in there lol Jasper must have just had enough of all my exercise ball bouncing!
Zena's Suitcase (@zenas_suitcase)
25th April 2014 at 8:54 amGreat post! I’m nearly 37 weeks, so will be trying a few of these things. I’ve delivered both my children at 39+3 so I’m hoping for a pattern. It’s lovely to hear how much you enjoyed being pregnant. Mine’s been different this time and I won’t be happy until I’ve got a healthy baby here, this one’s been a long haul. #BinkyLinky Zx
Jessica
28th April 2014 at 2:13 pmOoh how great would that be if all 3 were born at 39+3! I’m sorry to hear it’s not been as great but not long to go now and your bouncing buba will be in your arms ๐
EmilyTwin MummyandDaddy
25th April 2014 at 11:54 amI had a planned c-section, but boy reading this it kind of makes me glad I didn’t go through labour! Can’t wait to read part 2! Thanks for linking up #binkylinky
Jessica
28th April 2014 at 2:14 pmYea it wasn’t the greatest experience but the whole mood of the room changed as soon as he was out, it was such a relief and wave of love that I started to forget about it straight away! xx
yummyblogger
25th April 2014 at 12:51 pmCan’t wait to hear part 2! I will shortly be trying all these old wives tales too – got some dates in this week! #7daystogo #binkylinky
Jessica
28th April 2014 at 2:16 pmOoh how exciting, I hope they work for you! 7 days is not a lot but it seems so long doesn’t it lol
rh1annonb
25th April 2014 at 6:20 pmI was induced with my twins at 36+6 weeks so no chance to let things happen naturally. I did bounce on my ball and use my hypnobirthing techniques which got me through x #binkylinky
Jessica
28th April 2014 at 2:20 pmIt’s great for relaxation anyway isn’t it. I found that a lot of things I tried helped me to just focus and relax, whether they brought him along quicker or not I’m not sure lol
Georgina
26th April 2014 at 9:39 amWhat a great story ๐ I’m only 15/16 weeks at the moment, so a long way off from experiencing any of that ๐ To be honest, I still can’t believe I’m pregnant! Looking forward to the next part of your story ๐
#binkylinky
Georgina
http://www.mummy-pixie.com/
Jessica
28th April 2014 at 2:21 pmOoh theres so much excitement to come for you! It seems a long way off but it’ll fly by ๐ How exciting! xx
Hannah
27th April 2014 at 2:57 pmOooh, I need to read the main event now!#binkylinky
Jessica
28th April 2014 at 2:26 pmIt’s up, took a while but it’s all ready to read ๐
Emily Vaughan
27th April 2014 at 7:15 pmOoh I’m so excited for part 2! I was one of the lucky ones to go into labour on my due date, and I really think long walks, dtd and scrubbing the floors helped.. even if my labour took 2 days haha xx
Jessica
28th April 2014 at 2:28 pmOoh you are lucky, its so rare! 2 days – not so lucky lol I do think the walk was a big help ๐
BakedPotato Mummy
28th April 2014 at 6:07 amI was induced at 40 weeks due to my gestational diabetes. I was desperate not be induced though, so I tried all kinds of things to bring on labour. I walked laps and laps of my estate and spent forever bouncing on my ball!
Jessica
28th April 2014 at 2:30 pmI could have bounced on the ball all day but I couldn’t blog while doing it lol It’s so frustrating when your attempts don’t work isn’t it? But all worth it when little one arrives ๐
Loving life with little ones
28th April 2014 at 9:19 pmI didn’t have to wait!! I was induced early for both my pregnancies, but I did take raspberry leaf tablets.
Merlinda (@pixiedusk)
30th April 2014 at 7:38 amMy water broke a month early so I really dont need to wait. Baby came out of the cave early. #binkylinky