Labor🤰🏻

You can start all of these now if you wanted, except I heard to wait for dates until 36/37 weeks. I don’t think it’ll induce preterm labor if you start eating them now too though

Also raspberry leaf tea will strengthen your uterus and possibly shorten labor time, it won’t induce labor

I think it is all about quantity that we eat. All is fine as long as it is not too much, too much maybe should start after 36 weeks to speed up the process 😄 I am only 28 weeks now, so impatient 🙄

The sooner the better honestly. Stuff like the drinks and foods probably the two weeks

Yeah I know for dates you’re supposed to eat 6-8 a day so definitely depends on how much you’re eating!

I do the ball now and I’m 26 weeks. With my first I went on a mile run at 41 weeks and went into labor that evening. Did most of the laboring at home then went to the hospital at 5cm.

Feeling the same and cannot wait to be over with this all

@Katia same here.. not sure how some women enjoy being pregnant.. I don’t look and feel like myself

@Alysanne do you usually go to the hospital as soon as your contractions start or do you wait? It is my first pregnancy.

I’ve been drinking red raspberry leaf since 12 weeks- as long as you don’t have cramps your good to start super early, I will increase to 3-4 cups at 34 weeks. Date 6 a day starting at 36 weeks . I’m doing Perineal massages at 32 weeks- and starting pelvic floor therepy at 30. I’m super into health and nutrition and workout a ton and still doing a lot at 29 weeks including being on my feet 8-10 hour weekdays. My belief is the stronger you are the better- yoga balls, stretching etc , just start it all asap. Also- I eat pineapple Weekly lol no early labor over here

My sister timed my contractions and when they got a lot closer together that’s when we went. I did most of the laboring at home. I checked into the hospital at 2:30ish and had the baby at 5:45. The reason I didn’t go right away was because they don’t let you eat and move around freely. I got baskin Robbin’s while in labor and did a .5 mile walk around the neighborhood to help with dilation. I had back labor so it was super uncomfortable but I didn’t want to be bound to the bed. The hospital only admits you at 3cm dilated Also wear a maxi pad if you’re walking around in labor. My water didn’t break until I started pushing but I did have my bloody show (lost my mucus plug) and that was a little messy.

Moving about freely must depend on your hospital, I was able to walk up and down the hallway while I was in labor

@Kassidi the L&D ward was too small where I gave birth.

@Alysanne thank you for sharing your experience and for all advices, it is super helpful!

I would be careful about doing too much to induce labor too soon. Babies come when they are ready. The best thing you can do this early is to stay fit. I would follow this doula Krisha Crosley who has a train for birth program on Instagram. She has great exercises to do throughout pregnancy. Then at around 36 weeks I’d start all the other stuff (dates, red raspberry tea, evening primrose oil etc) and you’ll need it in large quantities. I did all of the eating that stuff in my first pregnancy and didn’t do all of the exercise, and let me tell you it’s far better to just be in shape.

Sex is safe at any time during your pregnancy so long as your doctor hasn’t told you otherwise. But semen specifically helps soften the cervix so that’s why they say to have a lot of sex in your last few weeks.

Evening primrose oil

@Athena evening primrose oil has not been shown to induce labor and can increase the risk of complications. You should only take it if recommended by your OB or midwife

I’m using yoga ball and my ob approved but the other stuff she said wait till 36 weeks , but I am also craving dates 😊