Pending Labor

I would hold on until 39 weeks - the lungs aren't fully mature until then.

It's better to be uncomfortable now than to take the chance on the baby's lungs! There's a VERY VALID medical reason why the doc won't induce you.

You don't want to take drugs (or even a glass of wine) for the fear of hurting the baby. Why would you risk NICU time?

2 moms found this helpful

Drink a huge glass of water, then have a glass of OJ with 2 TBSP of castor oil. Then go for a walk.
Keep in mind, the castor oil will cause you to need to use the bathroom alot so be sure you stay hydrated. (I didn't and they needed to stop my labor to hydrate me before I had the baby)
It worked for me.
Good luck on your new baby!
J.

Castor oil worked for me!

Hi K.,
I sure feel for you. I know how horrible you feel but all I can say is she will come when it is time. this may be the worst few weeks of your life but it will be worth it. you are just done but she is not.
good luck to you and i wish you a easy delivery, you deserve it!
J.

Hmmm... Well I just discovered hypnobirthing. Don't know if you've ever heard of it. It is an all natural way of giving birth. It focuses on clarity of mind, breathing through contractions and enjoying the whole experience. Check it out on the internet and google if you haven't already. It's been proven that using hypnobirthing can encourage the onset of delivery.

Pineapple worked for me. I was craving it and ate a whole pineapple one day ( at 37 weeks prego) and 24 hrs later I had my little girl. I didn't learn until afterward that Pineapple has a component that can mimic progesterone to induce labor!!! If I had know I wouldn't have eaten so much because my daughter was small and early, but she was healthy and my body seemed to know what it was doing by making me crave something that eventually caused labor.

Don't take baths if you lost your mucus plug.
Not to be rude but be patient. She we be here very soon.

I too have scoliosis, and have two children, so I know how you feel. However nature made the average pregnancy 40 weeks for a reason. My first came naturally at 39 weeks and 1 day, my second I went in for induction at 39 weeks because I was in so much pain and so miserable. Guess what- I regret every second of it! The labor was fine and quick she was healthy, but if given the chance again, I wouldn't do it. She was very colicky, had jaundice, and had reflux- small issues, still healthy, but I can't help but wonder what if I let her have that other week? Seriously in the span of life what is a week or two? Good luck!

Please do not let the ones saying to go a full 40 weeks worry you. If you look it up 37 weeks is considered full term. I have had 4 children. The last 2 were scheduled c-sections at 37 weeks exactly.
It's true that your baby girl is going to come when she is ready, and not a minute sooner though. I don't have any advice to offer. You are doing all the things I have heard of doing. Good luck to having her soon, and having an easy delivery.

Try really spicy food!!

I heard spicy foods/hot sauce - TOTALLY not medically proven but hey - give it a try - have a nice mexican meal ASAP with lots of hot sauce and jalapeno's!

GOOD LUCK! : )

I walked around the local mall and went into labor four hours after I got home.

Nanc

Hey mom,

here is a website
http://www.ehow.com/how_8948_jump-start-labor.html?ref=fu...

But rather than go thru all this nonsense, why not just talk to your doctor and tell him that you would like him to break your water? and see what happens.

This always worked for me. and worst case he gives you a little pitocin,and helps it along. PLUS you'd be able to plan in advance when its gonna happen, and have a babysitter ready to watch the kids.

( Saturday the 27th sounds like a good day to have a baby)

M

try getting evening primrose oil and rub it around the around the rim of the vagina. that can help to bring on labor. please keep in mind that it's important for the baby's lungs and fat that the stay inside for as long as possible. and yes, it does sound selfish. isn't it the baby's health that's more important. however, even though the mucus plugged detached, as long as your water doesn't break, you're safe.

Hi K.,

Corn beef and cabbage is thought to do the trick. It worked for me!!! (I know it could have been a coincidence, but it won't hurt to try)

Best wishes to you and your family

S.

Hi K.
Congrats on the lovely family.
I am sorry that you feel so ready to deliver when the baby isn't ready to come. I am so glad that you are not doing the wine thing. Thankful really.
My thought: stop trying and love being pampered because that probably won't be happening ever again.
God bless you and give you peace
K. -- SAHM married 38 years --- my kids came when they were ready -- 37, and on time; 33, one week early; and the twins were 2 weeks 6 days early after being in labor from 18 weeks and on complete bedrest. I worked hard to hold that pregnancy for as long as possible so they would have the best life possible.

I am 32 weeks pregnant with number 2 and I am as ready as you are (maybe not quite as ready as you are)
It sounds like you are well on your way. But you are only 50% effaced, even though you are 3 cm dialated.
You sound like you are doing all the right things to help with effacement. But remember that labor is a natural process and your girl will come when she is fully ready. You say in your post that you don't want to take any meds that might hurt her, inducing before 40 weeks may also fall into that category. Inducing can also make your labor unpredictable, stronger and cause her to come a few days before she is absolutely ready.
Ina May Gaskin (Ina May's Guide to Natural Childbirth--hands down my favorite pregnancy book) recommends castor oil or raspberry leaf tea to begin labor in addition to the intercourse you mention. I have even heard of women getting onto their breast pumps for increased nipple stimulation.
Hang in there, she will be here before you know it!

Dear K.,

I am so sympathetic to what you are going through. My daughter was 12 days late and I literally tried just about anything you can imagine to get things moving. Time and time again I was told that any extra methods would only work if the baby was truly ready to come.

However, I have three labor and delivery nurses in my family and all three STRONGLY discouraged any kind of castor oil use. They said in their combined experience time and time again it does nothing but make you terribly ill (vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, etc.)and if you do happen to go into labor you have all of these additional symptoms to deal with. I am sure it has worked for people in the past, but be clear exactly what you are getting into. Again, a collective 30 years of experience in three different hospitals across the country was enough to discourage me.

Also, stripping the membranes if very painful. VERY. It too only works if the baby is truly ready.

I don't mean to discourage you, but the moment your baby is born you will forget all of this. Just keep reminding yourself that you are making such a wonderful "nest" that she wants to stay. And, truly, she should until she is ready.

Best of luck.

DISCLAIMER: This is nasty and might not work.

Here's what my friend did: (see how dodgy that sounds already??!) a "mid-wife cocktail". OJ + castor oil. Chug it down.

Apparently, if you're ready to go, it will speed things along.

Otherwise it'll just give you diarrhea. :-p

Good luck, mama!!

Oh! One more thing (and this actually worked for me) - ask the doctor to strip your membranes. If you're ready, it will get things moving. If you're NOT ready...well, it'll probably give you cramps. I went into beginning labor within about 5 hours of having my membranes stripped with my first, and with my second.....actually, I don't remember. I think I went into labor on my own. (Both kids were about a week early.)