Pep talk needed, please!

[LuNaLu]

I'm 41w, 2d pregnant with my second child.

My first was born at 40w 4d, after my water broke at 40w 2d, there was meconium and nothing got going on its own, so after 30 hours I started Pitocin and baby was out within 5 hours.

So anyway... I've never really gone into labor on my own, even though I did have spontaneous rupture of membranes last time. And while I've been really positive throughout this whole pregnancy and I really do believe babies will come when they're ready, I'm getting to the point where I'm feeling doubtful that my body will ever expel this little (well, BIG now ha) girl.

We're planning a home birth and my midwife will attend up to 43 weeks, so I've got a bit of time left. But *I* really don't wanna be pregnant past 42 weeks; since Lolli was born at 40w 4d at 8lbs, 6oz, having already pooped in utero, and holding up her head like a pro. I really feel like this baby is as developed as its gonna get in there, so what's the hold-up???

As of last Friday I was 3cm and 50%. I've had my membranes swept twice, tried herbal tinctures, faithfully taken my RRL tea and EPO suppositories, walked, had sex, done nipple stimulation, acupuncture... none of which has helped me even get a pattern of contractions for even a little while. I'm growing more and more impatient as the time goes by (and my husband's work schedule gets more screwed up as he does his best to stay in town).

My next appointment with the midwife is on Tuesday (41w 6d). As of now I plan to be doing castor oil and vodka shots the day after that. And if that doesn't work... I just don't know. I am very against a hospital birth (unless medically necessary) because of the post partum stay (it's nearly impossible to get out before 24 hours), so I really hope I haven't come this far planning a home birth and am going to end up in the hospital on Pit anyway. Ugh!

So anyway, I would LOVE to hear your happy stories of your body naturally going into labor when you had lost all hope!!! Thanks for listening; I'm gonna go listen to my Joyful Pregnancy script and give myself an attitude adjustment!

[georgiegirl1974]

I don't have a personal story, but one of my good friends was induced at 42 weeks with her first. With her second, she was 5 cm dilated 10 days past her due date and her midwife broke her water and the baby came quickly (no pitocin needed). She was debating about waiting longer, but she decided to just get her water broken. She had only positive things to say about her birth, and she was very happy with her decision. I know that her body didn't go into labor on its own, but she did have an awesome outcome with minimal intervention. If you end up making it until your next appointment, hopefully you will be more dilated and effaced and you wont need a hospital birth even if you have your water broken to jump start labor.

(I'm due tomorrow with about the same stats as you, 3cm, 70% effaced.)

[Molliejo]

Hi, mama! I went about ten days over with my daughter. I had done castor oil a few times in the days before and it made me sick (I had used it with my son at 41 weeks and he came out 24 hours later so I thought it would have worked).

Anyway, I just gave up on it. I figured that I would be the first woman who would be pregnant but never give birth and I would spend the rest of my life pregnant. However, that night I was sitting at my computer and stood up and right then and there my water broke.

I was in labor for 45 minutes and gave birth standing up to a lovely baby girl.

You can do it. Your baby is just waiting for the perfect time.

[ATruck]

No personal anecdotes, as I have the opposite problem-- my babies come too early. However, I can't tell you how many friends and acquaintances I have that go up to 2 weeks postdates. So normal. Your baby will come. If you need to induce, worry about that when the time comes (I know, it is easier said that done, and I have no idea how bad it feels to go late- though I honestly wish that I did!)

Hang in there, mama! Your babe is waiting for the right moment. And maybe the delay will help with a faster labor!

[poiyt]

I know with my babe, even though I wasnt over due I had been in labour for 4 days (4days of contractions at least 10-15minutes apart, usually 4-5 minutes..ug!)..I was at my emotional breaking point. I sat labouring in my living room and I talked to my baby. I asked her what she needed me to do, why she wasn't ready..etc...etc. For 5 hours I internalized and talked to her. Now, the contractions didnt go away, and I didnt have my baby right away after that (well..about 16hrs later), but I noticed a change in my mentality and instinctually did some things I wouldnt have normally. I honestly think talking to my baby helped me and her figure things out and get things going in a more productive way....

[moonygoony]

I totally feel where you are at. My first baby was an induction/c-section at 42 weeks. With my second, I started gearing up long before my due date. I tried everything to tip myself fully into labor: herbs, stripping of membranes, sex, walking, swimming, breastpump, castor oil (twice!), homeopathics, chiropractic....really the list goes on. And with all that, nothing ever took! So finally I just stopped it all. He ended up being 17 days late :

So this time, I planned to be super patient and understood that I would probably go way over again. But to no avail. I still have fantasies of pulling the baby out myself (and I'm not even at my due date yet!) Stupid hormones and their demolishing of my patience!