Considering natural induction methods

[DevaMajka]

My m/w said that they will do the stretch and sweep after 39w (only if the mom wants to, of course), will give a labor cocktail (caster oil, plus some other stuff) after 41w, and recommend accupuncture to get stuff going in the right direction.

If my main concern is having this baby out before 42w, when would be an "ideal" time to start doing any of this? I've read that the stretch and sweep can take a couple of times to work. My m/w said that for 2nd time moms, it typically works the first time.

I don't want to rush things unnecessarily, but the further I go, the more likely I will have major anxiety and maybe even get panicky thinking about a pit induction. I'm 38w3d or 38w5d, depending on the dates. I HAVE to have a loose plan in my head to be able to relax about the future.

*Background and reasons why I'm seriously considering these methods-
I'm *terrified* of the idea of a pitocin induction (I was induced with pitocin for ds1's birth, and it ended up being quite traumatic for dp and me). We were so traumatized by ds's birth, that we had decided not to have any more biological kids, ever. (This one had different plans, and we're happy about that, of course.) I'm surprised that I've gotten through this pg with as few anxiety/panic issues as I have!

So anyway, I know it's early to be worried, but I was just thinking...If he hasn't been born by some point, I want to use natural induction methods to get it going before it gets to the point that a pit induction will be indicated.

My m/w's don't have any particular limit on gestation, they just they start NST's etc at 41w3d. But (in my mind, anyway) if the NST isn't good, then a pit induction will be indicated, and I will probably full out panic. And it will not be good.

[ameliasmama]

I don't have any answers for you, but I'm sure it will all work out!

[Erinz]

LIke you, I was induced with pitocin with my first because of PIH and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Trauma is a good word to describe pitocin induction IMO, so I COMPLETELY get your fear of it and desire to not have to do it again. I had to get this new little guy this time also because of skyrocketting blood pressure and fear of having to do the hospital/pitocin route so at 38 weeks we started doing acupuncture for positioning, and when my bp really started going nuts despite all I was doing to keep it down it took two sessions of inducement accupuncture with mild electricity plus a mild dose of homeopathy (not sure if the homeopathy worked or not, but I wasn't willing to risk not getting things going if ykwim) and I had a really nice NATURAL labor. Being able to feel my own body's labor pattern was magical and SO MUCH BETTER THAN PITOCIN! I really suggest you just make an accupuncture appt for whatever time frame feels right to you and cancel it if you don't need it. Be it 40, 41 weeks -- whatever your intuition tells you is right. Maybe just knowing the ball is rolling and your safeguard is in place will take the stress off of you!

[DevaMajka]

I'm glad you mentioned getting acupuncture. My midwife really recommended it, so I'm really considering calling. She said that for the first session, to not do it to induce, but to soften/ripen the cervix? (could that be right?)

I hemorrhaged a lot after ds was born (they gave me 5 pints of blood, and I refused a 6th), and *almost* had to have a hysterectomy (I'd signed the consent form, just in case). They also didn't let me have *anything* by mouth for 3 days. I take that back, one nurse gave me a pain pill with a tiny dixie cup full of water- I loved her more than I loved anyone in the world at that point!! lol.
I'm just about convinced that it happened because of the whole cascade of interventions they did. So I'm easily freaked out!! lol.

[Sarahstw]

If I were in your shoes, I would consider the 41+3 NST my "stress starts now" deadline (forgive me if I've misunderstood). Firstly, make sure you know when exactly that date is according to your midwives (you gave to dates in your post) and then check a calendar - if it lands on a Sunday (for example) they might book you for an NST on the day before or the day after, depending on the hospital...

If you wait to start "natural induction" techniques until you are 40weeks (according to the dates your MWs are using) that gives you ten long days before the pressure starts. Ten days can easily get you - 3 acupuncture sessions, a long time on EPO, 2 stretch and sweeps, you could throw in some homeopathy towards the end, and/or even the dreaded castor oil... or whatever else you were considering using. PLUS, the fact that at that stage of the game, every extra day kinda counts as a natural induction (IMO) just because of the statistical probability that you will have your baby! Anyhow, what I'm getting at is that 10 days is a really long time.

I would also highly highly recommend acupuncture for you. Mention to the acupuncturist about your previous birth and hemorrhage. They have great techniques for preventing/treating hemorrhage, which can also help you with peace of mind! I've used the techniques in the past - I have a history of uterine hemorrhage myself, and am planning on using the same technique in early labor.

[DevaMajka]

Originally Posted by Sarahstw

If I were in your shoes, I would consider the 41+3 NST my "stress starts now" deadline (forgive me if I've misunderstood).

You understood perfectly

If you wait to start "natural induction" techniques until you are 40weeks (according to the dates your MWs are using) that gives you ten long days before the pressure starts. Ten days can easily get you - 3 acupuncture sessions, a long time on EPO, 2 stretch and sweeps, you could throw in some homeopathy towards the end, and/or even the dreaded castor oil... or whatever else you were considering using. PLUS, the fact that at that stage of the game, every extra day kinda counts as a natural induction (IMO) just because of the statistical probability that you will have your baby! Anyhow, what I'm getting at is that 10 days is a really long time.

That sounds like a really good plan. And 40w according to them, is actually 40w2d according to me (and conception date, and early u/s).
It makes sense that I can get a lot of stuff in in those 10 days. I actually didn't realize that those things could be spaced so close together, so that eases my mind a bit.

I'd really really prefer for it to just happen naturally- it seems like the "safest" solution. And I'm a bit curious when I'll go into labor if I do nothing to induce at all. So waiting until my EDD to start anything makes a lot of sense!

Ok, so now that I have a sort-of plan, hopefully I will relax and he'll come and I don't have to use the plan!

[jessielove]

Originally Posted by DevaMajka

I'm glad you mentioned getting acupuncture. My midwife really recommended it, so I'm really considering calling. She said that for the first session, to not do it to induce, but to soften/ripen the cervix? (could that be right?)

Yes, that's right I've done three acu. treatments for blood pressure and cervical ripening this week. Yesterday evening at 7 I finished the last one and around 2am started contracting regularily. Unfortunately they stopped as soon as I went to lay down, but I have a feeling things are starting to move a little for me.

The acupuncture isn't painful {even for me, and I have a deep fear of needles}, is relaxing and can help. It can get pricey, but if you look you might be able to find a CAN {community acupuncture network} provider in your area who will work with pregnancy. Ask your MW for suggestions on who to see. The acu. I saw is also a CNM and only charges between $15 and $40 per treatment.

I've had two inductions with pitocin and am doing everything I can right now to start labor rolling to avoid having another. Today is my due date and if it weren't for the blood pressure issues {officially in PIH range now, which is what precipitated the last induction } I would be happy staying pregnant, but to avoid induction and hospital I need things to get moving.

[aestesfl]

We just had our baby at 41w 4d on Tuesday. I could only deliver with my midwife until 41w 6d, so the pressure was on for us. This is what the midwife did for me and these may be things you could discuss with yours. At 41w 1d, she did a membrane sweep, had me take Borage oil orally 3 capsules 3x day and one at night vaginally, she had me take black and blue cohosh (the homeopathic kind-little balls to dissolve under tongue) every two hours alternating between the two (4 balls of black cohosh then two hours later 4 balls of blue cohosh, etc). At 41w 3d, she inserted a Foley catheter into my uterus right at the cervix and blew up the balloon on the end. It falls out when you are 4-5 cm. Mine was inserted at 10 am and fell out at 3pm. She also had me take Borage oil 4 capsules, 4 x a day. I still wasn't having regular contractions, so she suggested that I take castor oil that night. I took it at 8:15 pm and by 12:15 am the contractions were coming regularly. She was born at 6:12 am.

That is all we tried, hope it helps. I was willing to do ANYTHING to avoid a hospital induction!

[Erinz]

Originally Posted by jessielove

I've had two inductions with pitocin and am doing everything I can right now to start labor rolling to avoid having another. Today is my due date and if it weren't for the blood pressure issues {officially in PIH range now, which is what precipitated the last induction } I would be happy staying pregnant, but to avoid induction and hospital I need things to get moving.

Hugs! I was in your exact shoes with the (F-ING!) PIH. I hope the acu works as well for you as it did for me!!! I'll be watching for an update!