Been in labor for a week - Updated AGAIN in #17

[JoyfamMama]

: : I decided that my body was telling me "NO MORE HERBS TO STOP LABOR" on Monday evening. I'd been taking them religiously every morning and whenever I felt the contractions changing. It was like a lightening bolt hit me, and I just knew it was time to stop fighting. I'm just now 37 weeks this past Thursday.

Well....since Monday night and as of Thursday, I've lost my mucous plug, effaced 70%, dilated to 3 cm, and "am as soft as butter". Probably more than that by now.

But...the baby will NOT come!!

Which is better?? To be in slow labor for a week or more, or just get it over with in 6-12 hours??

[kkar]

It depends on who you ask! Ha-ha!

I've had some pretty awful labors, so I'd love to be in your situation right now....getting a lot of the preliminary work done with slowly, and then just having to endure a quicker transition and birth.

[Jilian]

I'm a fan of slow and steady laboring before actual labor starts. I've seen some insanely long labors and I wouldn't wish them on anyone. The more work you can get out of the way ahead of time the better. But it is frustrating feeling like you are on the verge of labor for a long time, I'm going through that right now too. Have you tried any gentle inductions like sex, nip stim, going for a walk, or EPO?

[NaturalMindedMomma]

This was my exact labor. I was 3 cm and 70% I walked and squatted low during the contractions and also did nipple stim. Might just tip the scale...

[JoyfamMama]

I've been taking EPO and Gentle Birth Formula for about 2 weeks now, DTD last night, walking and climbing up and down the stairs as much as possible, and trying to figure out how best to do nip stim. I was just rubbing my hand in a circle through my shirt, as that hurts a LOT less then bare. Will that work?

Everytime I do these things, they do pick up - both the cramping and the contrax...but not quite enough yet.

[enchantinglysimple]

Originally Posted by JoyfamMama

I've been taking EPO and Gentle Birth Formula for about 2 weeks now, DTD last night, walking and climbing up and down the stairs as much as possible, and trying to figure out how best to do nip stim. I was just rubbing my hand in a circle through my shirt, as that hurts a LOT less then bare. Will that work?

Everytime I do these things, they do pick up - both the cramping and the contrax...but not quite enough yet.

I feel like I'm in much the same situation as you! It seems I'm almost a 3 and 80% effaced and I am almost 38 weeks but no matter how many times I DTD and such it doesn't work. So I have been considering taking EPO but how much?

[Heavenly]

Just a lurker but when I did nipple stim to bring on labour I used lansinoh and actually twiddled by bare nipples for as long as I could take it, then to the other nipple and then back again. It worked for me.

[momoftworedheads]

I am pretty much in the same boat as you, I'll have contractions for hours and then they peter out!

As far as nipple stim goes, if you get a warm wash cloth, put it over your breast and then stimulate the entire areola area until you get a contraction. I read this on Ronnie Falco's archives. Good luck!

Wishing that you get into strong labor and have your baby soon!!

JEn

[Talula Fairie]

Get it over with.

I've been in padromal labor for about a week, off an on. Can't do a thing about it and it's not causing dilation. At least your labor is doing something. You'll probably have babe in a day or two and I'll still be sitting around having miserable contractions for the next 2-4 weeks.

[JoyfamMama]

I went to the dr. for the echo follow-up and then to the MW yesterday. Echo shows fluid around my heart, and MW says still 70% effaced and up to 4cm, but baby still at -3 station. He had been at -1 Friday morning, so he's gone back up. My mw is a very very calm woman, but she was not happy about the fluid or the fact that the baby will not drop. I've been in labor (as she considers it) for 8 days now, and she's worried something isn't right.

I got worked in for an emergency appt at the cardio and for a sono today. For all of you who pray, please remember us. I'm so tired and frustrated, not to mention sore for rock-hard contrax on and off all day/night that aren't bringing baby down.

If my mommy weren't here...idk what i'd do.

[JoyfamMama]

Also, about the EPO, my mw has me taking 3 capsules/day - 1 at each meal.

[spiritedmama]

Ooh, please tell us how the cardio goes! That sounds scary! I had a false start last night too. This is actually what I remember the end being like. Lots of BH that feel like the real thing and thinking it's the real thing a lot before it actually is....Getting more and more miserable each day....I am in your boat Talula, I will probably be this way for another 3 weeks or so...

[chi_mama]

oh how frustrating! I hope everything okay. I will pray for you

[Spring Sun]

Sorry, that has to be so scarey! SOunds like a good example where it may be a good idea to get hose interventions rolling? I will be thinking of you...

[momoftworedheads]

praying for you and your baby! hoping you are holding tht wee one in yur arms soon


Take care!

[mama*pisces]

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers mama. I am certainly not a fan of interventions, but in this case it seems like something might need to get done. Fluid around the heart sounds like nothing to mess with....please keep us posted!!

[JoyfamMama]

Sigh...Yep...it's REALLY not going well. I just got out of the hospital a few hours ago, and looks like we might be going back soon.

The cardio was awesome! Father of 11 children of his own, and his NP is pregnant with her 5th! However, he took a look at my sweeling, bp, and listened to my heart and said ABSOLUTELY NO HOME BIRTH! He sent me to ER imediately, and wanted me to be induced last night. We didn't end up doing that, but I had protein in my urine, so we just finished a 24 hour collection and took it back to the hospital. I'm on complete bed rest, too. When I tested my urine at home about 2 hours ago, there was protein in it, and my head is back to spilting, so I'm expecting to have to go back soon. We'll see.

The hospital here is great, but the drs don't take my ins, even though the hospital does - go figure I called and called drs and noone would take me, since we are at 38 weeks, and it's considered high risk, esp with the heart issue.

Oh my...I'm so tired...I just want this over with!

Thank you all for all your prayers. please don't stop.

[Mamatoabunch]

I am praying mama!

[adoremybabe]

You are most certainly in my prayers!

[GradysMom]

best of luck to you - I'm glad you have gotten yourself checked out - would be nice if the same DR could just deliver you