Ways to Induce Labor.

Now, before you get all pissy and wonder why in the world I am posting this, it's because alot of woman would like to know. If your not the type of person to believe in this, that's fine, this isn't a post for you to read.
However; if you  are interested, please remember this: I am NOT a doctor. Nor, do I claim to be. Not everything on this list is proven to work. Talk to your doctor before taking any herbs.

1.Nipple Stimulation: To do this, you can place a warm cloth on both breasts for five minutes and/or massage each breast for ten minutes. Gently roll the nipple and stop when you feel a contraction. This causes us ladies to release it's own natural oxytocin.If this method works for you, you should start to feel the beginning of contractions after 20 minutes.
2.Sex: Yes, I know. This doesn't sound to appealing to a woman who has been carrying a child for nine months and is swollen and can't feel her toes. This also isn't a way to actually induce. It helps the cervix get short and soft. The prostaglandins in his semen causes this. It has been said it can cause contractions, but don't think it WILL start them for sure. Also, again, the oxytocin (from nipple stimulation) when we have an orgasim causes contractions, which works hand and hand with his semen.
3.Castor Oil: This can provide positive results if you are in early labor, or near it. However; it's side effects aren't to amazing. Castor oil is a laxative. It's belived that because it starts spasms in the intenstines, it will start to make the uterus contract, which could lead to labor. Or, just a nasty spouts of direahha and vomiting. You can drink up to 4 ozs of it mixed with oj, coke, or something you like to drink. You will want to drink it quickly, as even the odorless and tastless kind is still unpleasent.
4.Raspberry Leaf Tea: Drinking this is supposed to help tone the uterus, so if and when a contraction happens, it will make it much more defined and actually make it contract harder and longer (which if that keeps up, you will dilate). Your only supposed to start drinking this at 32 weeks. I persoanlly waited untill 37. Thank goodness I did, it send me into false labor. Drink up to three cups a day.
5.Spicy Food: If you are prone to having belly aches after eating spicy foods anyhow, this might do the trick for you. It can irratate your uterus, which can stimulate contractions and lead to labor.
6.Walking: This helps the baby move his/hers way into the canal, and helps the baby engage.

Where's my Sanity?

Where did the time go? I am 38 weeks today! Only 14 more days (give or take a few) untill I won't have a watermelon (as babycenter says this is how big baby is) in my womb, but a newborn in my arms. I have already been throught the nesting stage. So that means all lil Rilan's clothes are put up and ready to go. His bottles are washed and put up. Everything and everyone is waiting on him. I now wish I had something to do to make these short two weeks fly by. However; I don't. I have been literally overpowering my brain to find something to do. I am at home 24/7, unless hubby wants to go out. I am on maternity leave and I am going crazy just counting down the days. I guess I could clean, but honestly, I don't think I could if I tried.I can't bend over, squat or hardly walk. How on Earth am I going to mop and sweep? Uggh.

False Alarm #1.

I am 37 weeks and 5 days today. I drank some Raspberry Tea last night, as it is supposed to help with labor when it decides to come along. Well, I woke up at 3:30 with a horrible contraction. I got up and walked and it died down a bit. As soon as I would get still I would hurt in my back. Crawling into bed at 4:30 I accidently woke the hubby up. I told him I would time them and for him to go back to sleep. Well I finally passed out at 5:30 and woke up again at 8:30 with the toddlers. My back was hurting, but nothing too bad. But as the day rolled out, it got much worse. I called my dr and told her what I was expericing and she said to come in. I seriously thought it was time. I couldn't talk, I could hardly walk and sitting was IMPOSSIBLE.
Get to labor and delivery and guess what? It STOPS. Instantly. Rilan is seriously picking on me. Even more devastating? I got checked and all those contractions were for nothing!! I am still 1 and a wiggle and baby's head isn't even engaged yet! She could fell his head, but he would kinda float up when she touched it. Bleh. Good news is I am completely done with work untill 6 weeks postpartum. Let the waiting game begin...again.

37 week check up.

Well, we went in for my 37 week check up yesterday all excitied about seeing our little man one last time before we meet him. The ultrasound went good! Even though he is head down we got a little bit of a good view of his face. He does indeed have chubby cheeks. He is estimated at 7lbs 5ozs as of now. So a big healthy boy we will be meeting soon. However; we did get some news we was unprepared to hear. My blood pressure was alot higher than normal. 142/89. Usually it is only 110/70. They checked it three times and everytime it was higher than my doctor's comfort range. She is making me stay out of work untill Saturday and I have to go back Friday for another check up. They also sent me to the lab corp office for some blood work. She is worried about PIH. (Pregnancy Induced Hypertension) My face, hands and legs are swollen to the point it's painful, I have indeed have had some visual problems and I had rapid weight gain two weeks ago. (I'm talking 6 pounds in one week). I have to wait untill after two today to get my blood results back. I am nervous, but hope all is well.

On the road!

Alright ladies and gents!We are now making progress! I went to the bathroom as soon as I walked in from work. (This is m y daily routine, as our bathrooms at work aren't worth a darn). When I wiped I saw a huge glob of snot that was thick, and cream colored. It was one of those YUCK things, but when I remember it was my plug (which no doesn't have to have any blood in it as my doctor told me) I grew excitied! I was almost tempted to take the toilet paper out to the hubby to see for himself. But I figured his friends would then forever tease him as having the wife who is too open about what comes from her vay-jay. Hahaha. So I flushed it down the drain. I now feel acomplished. I know now that my body is doing something to prepare itself for labor. Yes!