Does These Things Really Work?

Updated on July 20, 2012
S.E. asks from Caldwell, NJ
11 answers

now that im so close to the end of my pregnancy (39weeks on monday) so im at the point where its like ok hurry up and get out already lol.. it seems like everyone i talk to has their own take on "old wives tales" of what will make u go into labor.. a friend of mine said having sex, my cousins wife suggested walking around alot, my cousin says eating spicy food, and another cousin swears that eating chinese food made her go into labor with both of her kids.
im only askign this out of curiosity.. yes i would love to have this baby out early but im not running around trying to do all these things to force her out, when shes ready to come out she will .. i was just wondering have any of these things really worked for anyone.. are there any other interesting/weird ones people have told u to try that will supposedly make u go into labor??

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A.B.

answers from Dallas on

My coworker drank castor oil and couldn't make it to the hospital. The fire dept had to deliver her baby in the back of her suv.

More Answers

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

In general none of them work unless the baby is ready. I mean think about it, how often do you walk, eat Chinese, have sex? Did you go into labor then? Sure a few of them may shrink a few hours off but put you into labor when you are not about to go into labor, just not happening.

I mean if this stuff worked why would anyone be induced, wouldn't they just grab some take out?

Dehydration will cause contractions but here's the rub, as soon as you get to the hospital and they give you IV fluids they stop....and the mean people make you go home and wait again. :-/

3 moms found this helpful
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M.O.

answers from New York on

My midwife recommended intercourse. She said it not only helps to bring on labor, it makes labor go more smoothly.

And then, in my family, we have a little tradition where we bring on labor by baking pies. I was born right after my mom made a blueberry pie, and my son was born right after I made a peach pie. We both made the crust from scratch and used fresh fruit -- not sure it'll work if you cut corners. But look up Julia Child's pie crust recipe and get cooking!

:)

Mira

3 moms found this helpful
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J.M.

answers from Missoula on

Hmm. I tried EVERY old wive's tale in the book (except castor oil... I really didn't want to have raging diarrhea during labor...) and none of it worked for me. My DD wound up being a week over due!

I jumped hubby several times, much to his delight hoping to trigger labor.
I walked a LOT... every day I walked about a mile to the gas station, bought a slushie, and walked back.
I ate some spicy Chinese food! lol. Along with pineapple (which is another one I've heard...)
I was also going up and down the stairs to our 3rd floor apartment several times a day.

I have also heard that nipple stimulation will help... but since that happened during sex, it didn't really do much for me... lol (sorry for the tmi!)

3 moms found this helpful

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Nothing worked for me, and I tried it all! ALL! LOL!

2 moms found this helpful
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D..

answers from Charlotte on

Start a project that you have to finish before the baby comes. THAT will make you go into labor!

Seriously, it'll happen when your body is ready for it to happen.

Dawn

2 moms found this helpful
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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Nothing MAKES you go into labor, but if the body is ready, things can expedite what is already close.

I had sex and then sent my husband away. I fell asleep and woke up an hour later with my water broken (3 days BEFORE my EDD). Coincidence, maybe? Nothing ever worked with the other 3: which were 4.5 WEEKS late, 12 days late and 6 days late.

Good luck and enjoy the last bit of your pregnancy.

PS Castor Oil will give you diarrhea and cause major intestinal cramping, as if the uterine cramping is not enough! LOL

1 mom found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

My mothers assistant said she was past her due date, so she was told to call the old country doctor who had delivered 100's of babies in her old community.

He told her to have a glass of wine and then go for a walk.
She did this.
That night she went into labor.

Also here in town there is a restaurant, that many pregnant women that are overdue, swear that if you eat there you will go into labor that night. I think it is Mexican food. and it is a particular plate of food.

Who knows?

1 mom found this helpful

S.A.

answers from Chicago on

At your next check up, you can ask your OB to strip your membranes. That's what did it for my second and third babies. I went into labor the same night each time. It's uncomfortable, but worth it if you're desperate to have the baby.

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

I drank about an oz of caster oil in a cup of rootbeer. baby was born les than 6 hours later. I drank it before i went to bed and woke up in labor

next baby

drank it before bed woke up at 430 hospital at 5 and baby born at 532
so yes it works if the baby is ready. won't work if its not time

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L.S.

answers from Little Rock on

Walk. I went into labor with my daughter the night after walking around at the mall. We finally bought a washer from Sears which was at the opposite end of the mall from Dillard's (where I was shopping). It really works.

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