this is my first baby and i am almost due however i am in a lot of discomfort,I cant sleep,eat and its even painful to walk i'm not a complainer usually but this is really getting me down as i've had a really good pregnancy up until now,does anyone know of a safe way to bring labour on by yourself,castor oil etc...

I have 2 weeks and 6 days to go, however, like yourself, i am soooo miserable mow. I can't slepp, i can't eat, i have chronic heartburn and the only advice i get from people is 'its perfectly normal to feel this way'. This may be the case but i no longer feel human!

My midwife told me the last time i visited to try the following: spicy foods, lots of sex, hot baths, raspberry leaf tea and pineapple (obviouly not at the same time - unless you really want to that is). I have tried the tea today but as yet it hasn't worked!!

my sister just had her 2nd kid(she's 17)and she went 4x4ing in a blazer and that night she went into labor, but she didn't have the baby. then her and her boyfriend were home alone, and well, i got a call saying get over to the hospital a.s.a.p because she was having the baby. when she had her first kid, she had heard that sex helped you go into labor,so that's what she did. the night she had her fist, she went into labor approximently 15 min. after she had sex. try it .
good luck!!!!

My first baby was 12 days late but arrived naturally and although I was at the end of my tether waiting for him, its better they come when they are ready.

Having said that heres some things to try which are natural and can help...I did most but not all and on one occasion about four in one night.

Tweaking your nipples releases oxytocin and can help bring on labour.

Castor oil only works by making you move your bowels, swiftly, which can also help so things like curries or whatever loosens you up so to speak can help. Don't take any laxatives though. You could end up in a right mess!

Walking, not to the point where you are in pain or overly tired but little gentle exercise can help the baby move into position and jig things along. This includes walking up and down the stairs and being on all fourscleaning floors

Sex can help as the prostoglandins, think thats right, in your partners semen can help soften the cervix.

Ask for a cervical sweep from your mid wife. This isn't all that comfy and didn't work for me but basically, stimulates the cervix - midwives fingers- and can help move things on.

Pineapple - something in it - must be fresh and I think you have to eat a lot.

Raspberry leaf tea - can help your womb prepare for birth as well.

Alternatively you could consider therapies - acupuncture and reflexology both have methods of helping to stimulate labour.

Hope they help.

Sarah