postdates-will swimming help?

[Punchy Kaby]

I am 41 weeks+4 days and am wondering if swimming laps will help this baby find its way out. I have been briskly walking everyday, sex every other day, bouncing on exercise ball. As of Friday baby was vertex, back of spine up the left side, butt just to the right of center and legs kicking far right. The ultrasound tech said baby was in great position to come out.

I have until Thursday before they induce me. I am going to try to get to the chiro and maybe to acupuncture. I am not at my wits end, yet. But I am getting anxious as each day passes. I am 3cm dilated, 75% effaced, and -1 station. I am urinating more freely today, the baby has moved itself off my bladder, is that good or bad?

[monkaha]

It didn't help me go into labor, but it sure did feel good to be weightless! I did laps and also walked laps doing lunges (in hopes of helping baby drop) and squats.

Good luck! Have a peaceful and wonderful birth!

[Rachel J.]

I've never heard that recommended for getting labor started although it's good for getting a baby out of the posterior position (not a problem for you though). You might try nipple stimulation (20 min at a time). It's likely contractions may start up and then discontinue when you stop the stimulation for a while, but then at some point will probably just keep going. Otherwise you can ask you HCP about herbs or do some research on your own.

[Tummy Mommy]

What ready works is...

What ready does work is acupunture! I used it as induction. I had three treatments and my daughter (my first) came on her due date. I started 4 days before.

[MegBoz]

Originally Posted by Nolansmum

I have until Thursday before they induce me.

I'm surprised someone hasn't said it already...but if YOU feel that induction at 42W is the best course of action and YOU FEEL that the risks of induction outweigh the risks of continuing to be PG, then go for it. But by the way you phrased it - it kinda sounds as though that is their "standard policy." I've never cared about that personally

I went to exactly 41W4D & would have gone longer if results on my twice-weekly NST + AFI continued to be favorable (even though my hopsital had a policy of routine induction at exactly 42W.)

I had my membranes stripped & that worked for me. I had read up a lot on natural induction - there are some studies that show acupunture does work. (But - I think there are also studies that show it does NOT work.) Same goes for stripping membranes - jury is out. But both are quite low risk (or, probably risk-free in the case of acupuncture), so worth a shot!

I also never heard of swimming working. Although I sure did love our pool while IN labor!

Sending you good labor vibes!

[Punchy Kaby]

I don't want an induction, but I am losing faith that my body will go into labor naturally. The hospital usually induces at 41 weeks, but they have been very cool respecting my wishes not to be induced. I had my membranes swept last Wednesday and have been losing mucous plug since then, although it has slowed down in the past couple of days. I will ask them to do it again today at my appointment.

DS came at 41 weeks, so I was expecting all along to go over 40 weeks. But he was seriously overcooked and fat.

[mwherbs]

so did you try the swimming? even if it didn't help get things going I bet it felt good- because of the weight displacement-
I would say sex sex sex- and think of it this way now will be the lowest risk of pregnancy sex you will be having for a while

and last but not least probably a day or so before the induction I would use castor oil- if it doesn't work it does increase your chances of a vaginal birth - just a thought

[alegna]

ds was 43 weeks 5 days. Babies come when ready

Swimming was FABULOUS... but didn't help a bit

Getting out of the water was a little rough...

-Angela