Labor Help?

Evening Primrose (orally 2-3/day, vaginally 1-2/day)
Raspberry tinture (orally)
Virgin Olive oil massage to help relax the tissue down there
walk,walk,walk,walk
any exercise that is allowed by OB
RELAX!
RELAX!
It will happen when the time is right! Nothing will make you 'go', only help prepare your body to nake it easier when it's time!

Another mom here encouraging you to remember that you, the patient, are the one who makes the final decision regarding induction -- due dates are NOT exact. You can refuse induction and instead ask for expectant management (waiting, watching, if necessary or if it'd make you feel better, non stress tests and biophysical profiles). Personally, I went to 41 weeks with my first baby and 43 weeks (yes, 43) with my second - both were spontaneous, unmedicated, natural labors. I had to refuse induction 3 times for my 2nd baby and sign a letter in which I was going "against medical advice" even though all the tests showed that both me and my baby (and my placenta!) were fine. You know what? My son was born when *he* was ready, and he was exactly on time, NOT late in ANY way. If I'd agreed to induction at 40 weeks, he would have been too early.

So listen to your "mama instincts" and tune into your baby, treat yourself right (relaxing things, massage, yoga, long baths, drinking enough fluids, eating well, etc.), and trust your body and your baby. I hope you have a wonderful birth and babymoon!

I always regretted being induced too but I had four and they got quite > big the more I had, four all together. Anyway, if I had to do it > again. I would just let nature take its course and when my labor > started, I like many laid in the bed with my IV, and stayed put til he > arrived. I wish I would've just went to the hospital when my labor > started and walked the halls. Just my feelings after having four boys. > Walk, walk, walk and don't take anymore castor oil. You don't want to > do anything to make the baby come before its ready. Good luck

This may sound crazy. But sit down, relax and have a drink, a beer, a glass of wine. It will sometimes cause your body to relax and can make your body go into labor on its own. I was 10 days over due and I tried it ( advice from my doctor), and it didnt work. But My older sister tried it and it worked for her. Its a worth a shot.

If you plan for it to be natural-then just let nature take its course. Your labor will start when the time is right. I know you are uncomfortable and anxious to get the labor started-but the more you worry over it the harder you'll make it for yourself. Try not to obsess over it and it will happen-after all it only seems like you've been pregnant forever! Good luck and congratulations on your addition!

Hi T.,

Sounds like you're doing everything you can. I would hope that the castor oil worked for you and you're delivered! Don't give up on these methods. It's amazing what a difference a day makes!

Understand that you make the final decision with the pitocin! The Dr. can't make you do it on your due date or when ever they want. Although they don't like moms to go too long past their due date due to the possibility of decreased functioning of the placenta. They may keep a closer eye on the baby's movement & amniotic fluid levels. Get your questions answered!!!

Even if you do need pitocin you should still be able to get out of the bed & move, that is as long as everything is going well. While being monitored you can get out of bed, stand,& lean over the bed, sit in the chair or on the birthing ball. Make sure you take trips to the bathroom every hour! The nurses may have to readjust the monitor more frequently, but that's OK.

If it does come down to pitocin again, make sure you discuss with you Dr. concerns you had with the last delivery. Let him/her know what you'd like to do different this. Many times Dr. is open (at least they should be) to your desires. If they don't know what you want, they'll do things their way (which is usually easiest for them and the nursing staff).

I wish you good luck in you labor, delivery and new baby!

K. :)

Hello T.. My Dr always suggest Nipple Stimulation. I don't know how well delivering your fist little one was, but this is how it happened with me. I was enduced with my 4 y/o and was scheduled to be enduced with my youngest and went into Labor the night before. It took me twice as long to get the youngest out as it did with my 4 y/o. Also, the women in my family just don't go into natural labor; with my youngest I was in labor for 8 hrs before the Dr broke my water and FINALLY enduced me. With the 4 y/o she was born with in 3 hrs of my water being broken. IF u want to go naturally keep walking. Best of Luck!

I feel your pain! I also tried the castor oil in orange juice and now, no kidding, I cannot drink orange juice anymore! Don't do anymore castor oil! About a week before my due date I had my midwife strip or sweep my membranes. It's not exactly comfortable but it doesn't hurt either, I still went 6 days "overdue" but she came when she was ready. Also, I would like to share that I had drug treated births with both of my boys and with my daughter I went all natural and believe me it was far far far better to go without drugs!!! Labor went more smoothly and quickly and it was a more fulfilling experience. Plus when she came out she was awake and alert and nursed immediately. Congratulations and hang in there...that beautiful baby HAS to come out sometime!!! Good Luck!!

T.,

If you really want it to be natural, then stop trying to FORCE the process. Relax and let mother nature do her thing when it is time. You'll have your new precious one very soon.

Best wishes,
K.

What worked for me was taking a hot bath. I got in the bath tub and relaxed and 4 hours later I went into labor. I was a week overdue and I had tried numerous suggestions from other people because I didn't want to be induced but nothing worked.

When I was in the bathtub, I did nipple stimulation which my midwife told me would help a lot.

DON'T USE CASTOR OIL! It may induce labor, but not before dehydrating you and taking nutrients your baby needs away from him/her. Dehydrating yourself and your baby can make baby have all kinds of nasty heart trouble because of electrolyte imbalances, and I'm sure you don't want an emergency c-section because baby's heart doesn't look good. You're suffering from what we in the hospital used to call TOBP (tired of being pregnant). =) Just keep in mind that the ultrasounds and all the tools the doctor uses to measure how far along you are can be up to two weeks off. You can try all the old wives' tales (except the castor oil... it's not safe!), but the best way to go into labor is to let nature run it's course. Most of the time, doctors will let you go up to two weeks past your due date. But keep walking! It's good exercise to get you in shape for a natural delivery. Good luck!

Hi,
I also had pitocin with my first delivery. I hated it. I was scheduled for another induction for my second (SOP for a diabetic such as myself) but was so glad when I woke up in labor two days before the scheduled induction. I did all those things (except castor oil). I would just keep doing it. The day before I went into labor we spent it at the local Aquarium walking as much as I could (it was February). If there's no reason for an induction just be persistent about not wanting pitocin. Unless there's a risk for you or the baby they shouldn't push it on you. Be sure you talk about this with your Dr. Good luck!

Try taking a HOT bath. That is what sent me to the hospital. My back hurt, my belly hurt & I just needed to relax & soak in the tub. It did more than relax me. I was in the hospital about an hour or so after I got out of the tub.
Good Luck.

If you can afford it I would suggest a massage therapist. My step-mother did something to my feet while I was in labor and spend my labor up by about 12 hours. It really does help. Good Luck.

I would let nature take its course I know I tried begging my doc to induce me but I also wanted a natural birth. So I did the birthing ball one night and the next morning I was in labor. Went to the hospital and was 5 centimeters dialated (this was about 7 am) I continued the birthing ball and had my daughter at 4:53pm so it went pretty fast. Everytime I would stop the ball and lay down my labpor would slow down so back to the ball and it worked. I would not drink that stuff it is so not healthy for you or the baby. It will happen when it is time good luck and congratulations on the new addition. Let us know when you have the baby.

Stop the Castor Oil!! Wouldn't that just be sooo horrible to be in labor with diarrhea?! I too had a cervical sweep with my first child. He came the next day (a full week early). When my second baby didn't seem to be wanting to come out I asked my OB to do that again (4 days before he was due) and she said no because I wasn't dilated at all. Two days after my baby was due (3 days before my scheduled induction), I had never had a single contraction (not even the braxton hicks). I was huge, miserable and losing hope. I cleaned my whole house. I got down on my hands and knees and polished my baseboards, hardwood floors, scrubbed the bathtub, toilets the whole nine yards! Walked around the block twice with my 3 yr old. I took him to the park, I went crazy. That night I was more tired than I have EVER been, but I went into labor around 1 am. He was born at 7 am. I don't know if it was my crazy amount of activity or just his time but either way it worked. I know how frustrating it is, but just be patient. Due dates are by no means accurate, the baby will come when he is ready. Good luck to you!

I went through the same thing. I have an almost 4yr old girl and 2 year old girl. I didn't want PIT either. I made sure my doctor knew that I didn't want it again, if I could help it. (Which, you shouldn't add the part in the end) My husband of almost 7 years, and I are trying for #3 and this time...I am going to make sure that I inform my doctor, in my birthplan, under no circumstances, am I to get PIT. That's the only thing I can think of.

I had five kids and had to have pit with all five. One thing that helped was, try and get your Dr. to let you get up and walk around(they should have monitors that will let you get up)don't walk so much you get wore out, but being able to get up helps you progress better and it sure makes the time go faster than just lying in bed. All that other stuffs not going to help and the c-oil thing can be dangerous(it can make you dehidrated), some women just don't progress like Dr's think they should and so pit was made. I hope you get by with out it, they say it is a lot different with out. Sorry for the bad news. Good luck!!!