Inducing Labour

First babies usually gestate for 42 weeks. A baby can feed safely from the placenta for up to 3 weeks past the "due date". Your obstetrician will probably ask to book you in for an induction at 10 days post term, maybe even 7.

Inductions carry their own risks, because they make labour faster and more painful for both you and the baby. And, really, who wants pig's sperm put up their fanny?

So if you want to birth naturally, close to term, here are some things you can do:

• Stay fit. Up till you give birth, walk at least an hour every two to three days. I found meeting my partner at work, and walking home with him, a great motivation.
• Swim for relaxation. Floating in the water, you can get in touch with how your baby feels in the womb. Jump gently up and down against the floor of the pool - it really helps the baby's head to engage.
• Have a regular massage. You need as much luxury as you can get before baby comes, and a pregnancy massage makes you feel wonderful. In the last weeks of my pregnancy, I would experience pre-labour after each massage.
  
• Make yourself feel safe. Burn essential oils, like Perfect Potions' Beautiful Baby . And put relaxing CDs on repeat, like Peace Baby, Deuter's Earth Blue and East of the Full Moon, and Ronkorb's Japanese Mysteries. Kick anyone you don't like out of the house.
  
• Drink nettle tea three times daily to increase the strength of your contractions. Mix it with peppermint to make it more palatable.
  

Don't be in too much of a hurry to bring baby. Once he's here, it's at least a month's whirlwind of pain, exhaustion, and overwhelming emotion. Be grateful for the time that you have alone with him now, snug and safe inside your belly.

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