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fire_engine 
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 Topic: Pre-birth "priming" for birth
Posted: 20 September 2010 at 11:35am |
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Can't quite find the right words for the topic!
I'm curious about what people have used in an attempt to get their uterus/cervix primed for labour. E.g. EPO, raspberry leaf tea etc. Has anyone tried "birth prep" tonic? Have you tried something that had bad side effects?
I'm not wanting the baby out early and I'm not expecting that - I think I'm a long & slow cooker and I know that bubs will come when it's ready. However, I would like to avoid another medical induction (which I'm putting off till at least 42 weeks) so am starting to explore natural remedies that might (emphasis might) help.
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kebakat
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 11:45am |
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I just used EPO and naturopharm prebirth spray. Will probably do the same again.
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Peanut
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 11:57am |
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I used 5W tablets. I had both my boys at 38 weeks, 1st induced, 2nd not. Shortish labours of around 7-8 hours. Easy to take too.
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newme
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 11:59am |
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I will start using EPO and 5W (which contains red raspberry leaf tea) at 35 weeks. Every night I also visualise my baby turning head down (as my son was breech), and I visualise that from 36 weeks my cervix thining out, and from 37 weeks i imagine it starting to open and labour starting. I imagine my cervix opening sort of like a drawstring purse. And I visualise having a healthy baby born at 37 - 38 weeks.
Might sound a bit (or a lot) crazy, but the baby was head down at my last midwife appointment, and I really believe in the power of the mind.
I am also going to do perenium massage at 34 weeks.
I will also look at acupressure later on in pregnancy if I haven't gone into labour. I really want to avoid another c-section so will give anything a go!
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kiwisj
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 12:28pm |
I didn't have the chance to try anything the first time round but this time I'm drinking raspberry leaf tea (started at 35w) and using EPO (started last night). I'm also listening to my Hypnobirthing relaxation/birth affirmation stuff at least once a day. Oh and we've tried perineal massage a couple of times but it's weird and DH and I can't stop laughing.
Mostly I'm trying to stay positive and only listening to people who have positive things to say about birth  I looked forward to the birth of my first DS and mostly enjoyed it. So I'm hoping for a similar experience this time round (but with a full term baby!)
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SJ
Callum - Dec 2008
Daniel - Oct 2010
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caliandjack
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 12:44pm |
Has anyone tried the homeopathic birth mix?
Not sure if its available everywhere its been recommended by my west akl MWs.
I'm more interested in prepping conditioning cervix etc for an easier time with the birth and fx reduced chances of tearing.
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  [/url] Angel June 2012
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fire_engine
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 12:57pm |
you know my view on it  That said, I'll probably try it again. It may well be similar to the Naturopharm one that Stacey talked about
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caliandjack
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 2:07pm |
That's what I was wondering.
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[/url] Angel June 2012
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MamaT
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 2:24pm |
I took 5W, RLT and EPO, like you I was hoping to prime my body for a straight-forward labour.
My cervix did dilate well and my MW mentioned how efficient my contractions were, of course having only had one baby I don't have anything to compare it to, but I will be doing the same again next time.
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Emmi_
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 2:40pm |
I did RRLT, EPO, sex (once! that was enough!), accupuncture (pretty much everything I could think of)
I was 3cm dilated (painlessly) for at least a week before I was induced (at 40+12) (credit the EPO for that) I never had any BH and dont think my uterus contracted very well so will drink more RRLT next time
(any one know if it would help tone my uterus now? In preparation for next time?)
Oh and I too visualised my cervix dilating, and think it could have helped 
Edited by Emmi_
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scribe
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 2:53pm |
I'd also really like to avoid an induction this time - last time I drunk raspberry leaf tea, had acupuncture and ate a hot hot curry, and I swear one of the latter two worked as my waters broke - and contractions started - a day or two later (but then things stalled  )...
Can someone please translate these acronyms, what are EPO, 5W and RLT?
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fire_engine
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 3:01pm |
EPO - evening primrose oil
5W - it's a herbal mix that includes things that are meant to help your cervix soften
RLT - raspberry leaf tea
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scribe
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 3:03pm |
Aha - thanks! Doh on the RLT
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Jaune
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 4:18pm |
 caliandjack wrote:
Has anyone tried the homeopathic birth mix?
Not sure if its available everywhere its been recommended by my west akl MWs.
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I'm using a homeopathic Birth Mix from Quintessence...not sure if it's doing anything. Also using RRLT tablets and EPO...and I'm 2 days overdue now.
Guess I'll have to see how labour goes before I'll know if any of it was worth it...although I guess you never really know...
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High9
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 4:48pm |
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I didn't use anything, just walking, everywhere. (Then again I can't drive so have to bus/walk/train it!) Anyway my mw, when I asked her about 5W tablets, RLT, EPO, etc told me not to bother and that in 'her opinion' it's a waste of time/money.
You have the right idea though about not expecting it to help you go early, because my mw told me it doesn't really do anything and all the women she's delivered babies for who have gone over have complained about it and (gone over due).
Lily was born at 39 weeks, was 6cm when I arrived at the hosp, 12 hours after waters breaking.
I was told not to take it before 36 weeks, but others have been told they can take it earlier so maybe that has something to do with how effective it is too?
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HoneybunsMa
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 5:21pm |
I took a birthing/preg tonic can't for the life of me remember what its called but my mums friend who is a homeopath/massage therapist/antenatal coach (yep woman of many hats) gave it to me and she said it'd make me stretch like a rubber band 
I didn't dilate quickly but I was tired and body wasn't relaxed but I was fully effaced at 39weeks when I went into labour.
I'll wait till my bro comes out of the bathroom (probably for awhile too  ) and then go have a look, we have a respiratory mixture from the same company
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mummyofprinces
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 5:26pm |
I have been drinking RLT since 28 weeks and EPO, 1 internally since 36 weeks. Will also start the naturopharm birth spray next week....
Oh and I have telling myself I have a very big.....
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Emmi_
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 5:27pm |
^ like 
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fire_engine
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 5:46pm |
Despite generally being pro-evidence based care, in this case, I'm going with the "if it doesn't do harm, then I might give it a go" approach but without being so emotionally invested with it as I was with Dan (who was induced at 41+5 and born on 42+1). Hence trying to find out more about pros AND cons and if I do take stuff, I'll do it with my MW's OK (and with the help of a naturopath).
HBM - would be keen on the name of that tonic if you dare enter the bathroom at some point
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blondy
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Posted: 20 September 2010 at 6:05pm |
Just a mix of the above - 5W, RLT and EPO internally (at night) for the last 3-4 days before labour started. Lots and lots and lots of bouncing on the yoga ball thingy, and I walked an insane amount those last couple of weeks too. Those accupressure points that we were given too - can't say they did anything, but didn't hurt either. As you know, all of the above didn't bring anything on early, and my whole labour wasn't shorter, but the active part (minus the pushing bit ) was pretty effective (and it was a spontaneous start too).
Also, I still have almost a full bottle of EPO capsules, so don't buy any! (assuming they're still not expired.... will go check at some stage!)
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Pre-birth "priming" for birth
