Despite being fully aware that there are no proven non-medical ways to help induce labor, I’ve begun trying the myriad of strange and wacky natural induction methods in hopes of giving this baby of mine a little nudge. (Note: I’m 39 weeks pregnant and received the green light from my OB.) With my firstborn, I ate spicy food as my sole attempt to induce labor – and it seemed to work! This time around, I’ve already tried several of the popular techniques ranging from having a pressure points massage, eating loads of pineapple and papaya, drinking red raspberry leaf tea, taking primrose oil pills, walking more than usual, ordering lots of spicy foods, snacking on dates, and bouncing on my exercise ball (on which my son AJ loves to join me). I’m beyond ready to meet this little angel – and incredibly ready to be able to sleep on my belly again! If only they made mattresses with a large belly hole for pregnant women!
Aside from trying to coax my baby out sooner rather than later, we (my husband and I) continue to work on preparing our 18-month old for his new baby brother or sister. We aren’t sure how AJ will respond when he/she comes, but we have been doing our best to help him. I’ve read him books about the baby in Mommy’s belly. We have a baby doll that we have him practice holding and rocking, which sadly always ends with him beating up the baby doll once he’s through (sigh). We’ve had him around a friend’s baby in hopes he realizes that a baby isn’t the same as a doll. We’ve shown him pictures from when he was a baby. Mostly, however, we’ve been trying to cherish the time and appreciate the one-on-one relationship before the baby’s arrival by taking him on little trips (i.e. Los Angeles Zoo, Travel Town Train Museum, Dancing With The Stars rehearsals and shows to see his DWTS pals, etc.).
Being 18-months old is very young to understand what a new baby is all about, let alone what it means to be a big brother. I’m just hoping and praying he adjusts well. I welcome any suggestions that have worked for you on this subject matter. I’m all ears!
Here’s hoping the next time I write, I will be the newest member of the ‘two under two’ club. 🙂
~Angela
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