Getting frustrated... baby needs to come.

[wanderinggypsy]

Ahhh.... where to begin this rant?

I'm only three days past my 'due date'. Already, my midwives are getting pushy about "what to do next".

I have a history of cholestasis, but it hasn't presented this time (not yet, anyways!). I also tend to make big babies, and this particular one looks like he will be pretty huge.

They keep trying to take away the option of homebirth, and at ten days post-dates, I will be transferred to the care of an ob for induction.

My membranes have been stripped twice. I am still having sex on a regular basis. I am walking lots. I'm spending lots of time on a birth ball. My cervix is favorable, but labor just isn't starting.

What else can I possibly do to get this babe born at home before all hell breaks loose and I end up on a pit drip in hospital??

[mama*pisces]

Ummm....a friend of mine ate an entire pineapple last week and gave birth less than 48 hours later(they say pineapple is a good inducer)....also, blue cohosh is supposed to induce labor , as far as I know. If you're really desperate, castor oil?

That's strange, I thought that HB midwives usually give up till 43 weeks(or at least 42!) before they transfer care to an OB. Is it because of the possibility of a big baby? That seems weird to me.

Hope baby comes for you soon.

[Jilian]

Hmm, it sounds like you've been trying everything. Does your MW offer any other options? Some do black and blue cohosh as a last option before a hospital induction. There are some accupressure points you can try too: one on the ankle, one on the pinky toe, and I think the third is between the thumb and pointer finger.

[wombatclay]

Well, there is the whole list of possible "induction" techniques... ranging from the pretty iffy but not going to hurt anything to try to the bigger guns.

Walking, swimming, swinging, stair climbing, birth ball sitting (especially using optimal fetal positioning or spinning babies ideas in case the "delay" is due to malposition), cat/cow yoga moves, and curb walking are all possible, low risk, activities. Visualization, self hypnosis, and "talking" with the babe are other low risk options. Also anything that you know helps you relax... a warm bath, some wine or beer, watching a certain film or listening to a certain cd.

Eating pineapple and papaya (for the enzymes), taking Evening Primrose Oil or Borage oil (for the prostaglandin effect, oral and/or vaginal application), ingestion of semen (again prostaglandins and possibly more effective than cervical application), cumin tea, parsley tea, red raspberry leaf tea. Spicy foods (to hopefully trigger sympathetic contractions in the uterus as the bowels become a bit irritated by the food) or foods that generally give you the runs.

Acupressure (you can google for the specific points, but basically the thumb/forefinger webbing and 4 finger widths up the outside of your leg from your ankle) and moxibustion at those acupressure points. Acupuncture. Chiropractic adjustment by a Webster practitioner.

Homeopathic treatments like Caulophyllum and Cimicifuga may help, or if you know a trained homeopath they might be able to design a specific remedy for you based on your personal profile (for example if there is a specific fear or stressor that is perhaps holding back labor they could address that specifically). Similarly bach flower essences may help if there is a specific issue you are aware of or rescue remedy if nothing springs to mind.

Getting riskier and more invasive, castor oil (to irritate the bowels and hopefully get the uterus contracting sympathetically) or an enema (again for the muscle stimulation) can be effective. Nipple stimulation (15-20 minutes on a side, which is why pumps are generally suggested) is another option but this can produce hyperstimulation so it's something to pay close attention to. Black and Blue Cohosh can ripen the cervix and then stimulate labor but again, you may want to be monitored while trying this and there can be complications depending on your medical history.

With the membrane sweeps... there is some debate over "how" to do them. Some providers feel that an effective sweep should take 20-30 minutes of cervical massage, and some like to apply EPO or another ripening agent to the cervix while doing the sweep. So perhaps ask your providers about those variations.

And hang in there! I'm in the same boat and really really REALLY want this babe to get the ball rolling.