So, with my first, the Doctor said he wanted to strip my membranes at 39 weeks, because he thought she would be big. I declined. From everything I found research wise, stripping of membranes only works if your body is ready to go into labor anyways... at which point, other methods would be effective as well. The option of having my membranes stripped, versus being close with my husband was a no brainer. (I apologize, but the following is blunt: semen has prostaglandtin in it which ripens the cervix and if things are ready any ways, will help you go into labor... so if you hare having too many contractions early on and are not wanting to go into labor, you should use a condom). The doctor was still adamant about possibly inducing me if I got to my due date.
Well, my due date was approaching -- and the idea of being induced with pitocin was very dismal. (Thankfully I know enough now to know that you don't have to just say "Yessir" to whatever your Doctor suggests and could've refused induction even if I passed my due date). I was going on long walks, and being close to my husband, and hoping that things would start on their own. I was praying too. Anyhow... I was talking to my sister about how I wanted labor to start and didn't want to be induced.
"Have you had raspberry tea?" She asked. "No, but it won't work anyways because I don't believe in placebo effects." Well, I went out and got some anyway and was drinking it like water on Wednesday. My aunt came to visit. "What are you drinking", she asked. I told her, and told her why. She laughed and with a wink on her eye said "Ooohhhh, yes, how do you think women have been having labor since the beginning of time? They have been drinking raspberry tea!" :)
Well, the next morning at 5 am I went into labor, and 12 hours later our first daughter made her entrance into the world. It has become a joke ever since for me -- and when I thought I was in labor with my second, I had my husband go get me some more tea. I don't know if it actually works or not, but it tastes fine and is worth a shot if you've tried everything else. My other advice is to just wait -- don't get your membranes stripped, go on walks in as much as it's pleasant but don't wear yourself out because you'll need your strength for labor, and don't agree to induction just because you are AT your due date. The baby comes when they are ready to MOST of the time, and I know many people who just take longer to 'bake' (42 weeks).
But, for laughs and smiles, we keep raspberry tea in our cupboard now.
