Almost 43 weeks... - Page 2

[PTmorgan]

Sending good vibes your way! I'll be watching for an update.

Most of the women in my family go to 42-43 weeks. Since I'm in your situation (fighting for a VBAC) I've been concerned about the pressure I'll get when I go over. You sound very stressed, but you are doing everything right - from my perspective! You are watching out for your baby's health. Healthy when inside, safe birth. Good job! Hang in there.;

[futuremamaheather]

Just wanted to give you the encouragement that I was a 43 weeker - I was my mom's first, and she had decided by then that she was not in fact pregnant after all, the doctor was a big ol' liar, and she was just FAT! The joke for us is that I was "induced" with banana cream pie... Mom and Dad went out for dessert with some friends, and part way through eating, Dad noticed that Mom was wincing at regular intervals.

Lots of : to you and your babe, and I'm sending you a virtual plate of 'nana cream pie! : Best of luck to you!

[MegBoz]

Originally Posted by SublimeBirthGirl

I don't know what your doula's tone was or anything, but I don't think she meant that it's your fault. It's information. Stress CAN inhibit labor. If you can relax, you are more likely to go into labor and/or have labor progress smoothly. I'm guessing she was trying to be helpful.

I agree, she probably was trying to be helpful. But were her intentions really relevant? People who said at the office, "You still here? Any day now, huh?" really were just trying to be friendly & make conversation. They weren't trying to be hurtful - but that hurt like heck.

I don't think it's all that much of a stretch for me to have heard, "Meg relax, stop stressing, stress can inhibit labor." to mean, "Meg, YOU and YOUR ACTIONS of being stressed are HURTING your chances of going into labor... therefore YOU ARE TO BLAME, partially, for not being in labor." & that was infuriating. THE LAST thing I needed was more pressure on myself (now I gotta stress over the fact that I'm stressed? Greaaaaat!)

I think stress like someone mentioned having your Mom at your house when you don't want her there during your birth would inhibit labor - or any really uncomfortable environment (hospital with strangers, mean nurses, etc.) would inhibit labor. But just WANTING to be in labor - I doubt that could have as much of a detrimental affect of preventing labor.

Originally Posted by Full Heart

Have you tried acupressure? ... the roof of your mouth just behind the ridge.

DH found an article that swallowing semen was even more effective at helping ripen the cervix than having it ejaculated on the cervix. That, combined with the ability to actively stimulate the roof of my mouth made BJs a part of our "natural induction" protocol. Ha!

My doula said she suggests thumb-sucking to stimulate the roof of the mouth, she had never thought of our technique. As soon as my Bradley teacher mentioned this pressure point, BOTH DH & I thought that!

[hapersmion]

Ahh, that's no fun.

If I were you, I'd do a mental switch and decide that the due date was wrong, and that I was "only" 42 weeks - or less! See if you can remind yourself that dates are only estimates, and pick your most conservative one and go with it. Maybe it will make you feel a bit better.

And just think - it could happen any time - tonight, tomorrow... If you have one more week to wait, do you think you'll be happier afterwards to have waited, despite the stress, than if you go get induced?

Good luck and I hope you find some support and reassurance!

[Romana]

I hope you haven't posted in almost 24 hours because you're holding your beautiful baby!

[ZoeyZoo]

I hope everything is working out. If you want to try positioning techniques belly dance is good. There is a move where you move your hips (think hula hoop) that helps with positioning. www.spinningbabies.com has more exercises.

[mellowyellowmama]

Mama, I just saw this and I haven't read all the replies yet, but hang in there. If you feel everything is ok, then do what you feel is right. I had a VBA2C at 43 wks 6 days and had a healthy baby girl! My midwife dropped me and it was a whirlwind, b/c I felt that I compromised twice before and ended up with 2 c/s and I wasn't going to compromise again! I prayed and meditated and followed my intuition (whether it was something I wanted to hear or not). I had the VBAC (in the hospital unfortunately b/c homebirth midwife dropped me at 42 wks when I wouldn't do anything to induce at home). Baby will come when you both are ready. Watch some funny news station bloopers on you tube and let go!

[alegna]

Hang in there. Ds was 43 weeks 5 days and I wasn't dilated at all pre-labor either.

-Angela

[mother culture]

Just listening mama. Warm water and massage by your partner are free, along with nipple stimulation can be great. Think Loose and drink all spice tea!

[Minerva]

Are there any train tracks by you? Back in the day, they used to take women for bumpy rides over the tracks to loosen the muscles up. You also might try walk up and down the stairs for an hour or two; that uses the same muscles.

Remember, they can't induce if you don't show up; they won't come and get you. Have a warm bath and think about something else for a while.

[spu]

how are you? any updates? are you relaxing in a special way?

[smeep]

Another encouraging story. I was not dialated at all when I went into early labour at 41.5 weeks and 24 hours later went into active labour and gave birth just 6 hours after that. And, had we gone by the original dates, I would have been 43.5 weeks. Not to mention I was surprised to give birth at 41.5 weeks...my mother birthed all 5 of us between 41 and 43 weeks so I was expecting 42. Give your body and baby time - there aren't always signs. Sometimes something just snaps and all of a sudden it gets going with no warning.

[Comtessa]

updates?

[BoringTales]

What happened?

[MovingMomma]

Found the update here: http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1055113

Congrats on your beautiful daughter, brokensemaphore! :