UPDATED PAGE 3 -- SHE'S HERE!! Feeling so defeated -- facing induction.

[november]

I'm starting to feel so defeated. Absolutely nothing going on for me -- maybe I'm just not meant to have a natural labor/delivery. *sigh* I was really hoping I'd have her before my appt tomorrow. Nothing like knowing you're going in to endure a lot of pain that has been 0% effective thus far (he's been pulling on my cervix to get it to come forward and that hurts like crazy and he said it'd be worse this week if she's not here yet). I also imagine he'll try stripping my membranes.


I hate having the pressure of knowing that if she doesn't start cooperating, I'm going to be medically induced by Monday. No pressure...no pressure at all. Anyone have some labor dust to spare? I could really use it. I really, really wanted to do this naturally.

[shoefairy3]

they want to induce you already? you aren't even that over due. Hugs and labor dust

[november]

My doctor agreed to letting me go up to 10 days overdue and after that, he's uncomfortable letting me go any farther. I've had slightly high blood pressure for the past few weeks, and I'm pretty sure the baby is getting to be pretty big so I assume that's part of his concern (he doesn't feel comfortable letting women go really late). He was actually pushing for me to induce LAST week, so it's a miracle I've put him off until the 23rd.

[november]

Coming back to add that I know that I can refuse an induction if I want to, but I'm not sure how comfortable I really feel letting myself go much farther past due than 10 days as well. I know it's just a guess, but this baby has been measuring quite large on all of the sonograms we've had thus far, especially the third one, and if I don't do the induction Monday, my doctor is going to be out of town for the holiday. He actually wasn't even supposed to be at work at all next week but offered to delay induction a few more days if I wanted to in order to buy me some more time, so he IS trying to work with me. Seeing as this is the guy that I've been doctoring with the entire time, and the only other doctor that delivers at my hospital will then be the one on call and I've heard HORRID things about him, I'm more comfortable under the care of my current Dr., kwim?

[ShwarmaQueen]

You could very well go into labor between now and Monday, but if not, you shouldn't feel like your just along for the ride. Speak up! Ask him to explain why Monday is 'the' day? Have you voiced your wishes for a natural labor? And I don't buy that big baby nonsense. Unless you have uncontrolled GD or someother issue, your baby is probably perfect for you. Take it from a mom who was induced for 'suspected fetal macrosomia' and turned into a c/s (DD was 8.14oz, DS- HBAC was 9.2 oz) their guess are usually waaaay off and just a way to prey on mom's insecurities. Block out all the 'this baby will never fit through your pelvis' comments and believe that you can birth your baby just fine.

[Lily's_Mom]

Big s I know the feeling (of defeat).

Please research and find out your options for induction. It sounds like your cervix is not ready yet, try not to start an induction straight up with the IV pitocin. Ask for cervical ripening first (ie cervidil). It took 2 cervidils to get my labor going.

And what is this about pulling on your cervix? That sounds awful! I never heard of a care-provider doing that to a pregnant woman before.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by november

Seeing as this is the guy that I've been doctoring with the entire time, and the only other doctor that delivers at my hospital will then be the one on call and I've heard HORRID things about him, I'm more comfortable under the care of my current Dr., kwim?

Ask yourself, is a c/s worth delivering with a certain doctor? I can't remember where I read it, but something like 50% of inductions end in c/s. That's a pretty big risk. I'd much rather birth with a person I didn't like (going into labor naturally) than go ahead with the induction with the known doc.

It's not fair that you're being put in this position, I'm really really hoping that you go into labor tonight mamma!!

[Youngfrankenstein]

Even the outrageour ACOG doesn't condone induction for suspected macrosomia.

I would think long and hard about allowing induction. Especially if your body isn't ready...it may not work.

I know these are very hard decisions and I don't minimize what you're going through.

(((hugs)))

[_ktg_]

couldn't help but stop in to give some support!! Hang in there mama! My 2nd DS decided not to arrive until 2 weeks after the due date (and I was going for a VBAC- so lots of pressure!). Babies all come, just often on their own time. Just relax, maybe get some accupunture, walk up a storm and think about how _you_ want to be induced if you decide to go down that route. Don't just allow for the ole pit/cervdil routine. There are other methods (foley) and walking which can get the same results (voila a baby!) without so much intervention.

With all that said - here is some spare labor dust just for you!

[Plaid Leopard]

Hi- I'm crashing in because I saw this is new posts and just wanted to respond.

First of all, many hugs to you. You certainly don't need extra stress at the end of your pregnancy.

Please remember that your doctor "may not be comfortable" letting you go 10 days past your EDD, but YOU are the one that is going to birth this baby, and YOU are the one who will have to live with the consequences of any choices that are made. Are you comfortable with waiting, aside from the pressure that is being put on you, or do YOU feel that this baby needs to come out? Do you trust that you will go into labor naturally when your body and your baby is ready, or do YOU think that induction would be best? Remember that your baby also has a starring role here. Do you think your baby is ready to be born? Do you think the doctor's comfort is more important than your or your baby's health? How do you think your baby would prefer to be brought into this world?

I have never heard of pulling on a cervix to get it to come forward - before or during labor. That sounds painful and unnecessary. The cervix will come forward naturally, on its own, when it is time for it to do so - when the contractions of labor are causing the cervix to thin and efface and move into an anterior position. Sometimes it does not happen until fairly late in labour.


As for sweeping membranes, I would just tell that doctor to keep his hands out of you. If your body is not ready it's not ready and there is no need to risk infection from hands being put unnecessarily inside you. Not to mention the discomfort...

If you are induced, there are the chances that you will be hooked up to monitors and not allowed to change position and move freely during labour.
If you are induced or augmented with pitocin because the induction is not working (because your body is not ready), then you may experience more painful contractions, which could lead to all sorts of other interventions.
You NEED to be able to move around and change positions during labor, especially if this baby really is as big as they say it might be.

If you are induced, and they decide to break your waters to get things moving, then you are "on the clock". If you go over a certain amount of time with broken waters in the hospital, they will tell you that the baby is at risk and you need a cesarean.

[Tattooed Hand]

I'm expecting to be at least 10 days late. My mom and my MIL were both that late with my DH and I (both first babies). And aren't weight estimates on U/S notoriously inaccurate?

I hope it doesn;t come to induction. I can totally understand wanting to avoid induction and at the same to birth with the doctor you've had all pregnancy. I guess you have to figure out what's really important to you. I would personally be very leery of getting induced if my body was not showing signs of being about ready.

[november]

Thank you so much for all of your advice/input, everyone. I really, truly appreciate it. Truth be told, I would be perfectly fine waiting it out and just not showing up for the scheduled induction and wait to go into labor on my own terms. However, another hitch in my plans is that my DH feels extremely uncomfortable with the idea of going too long after my due date, even after everything I've told him. It certainly doesn't help that my mother feels the same way so the unintentional pressure from both of them also make me feel bad. I know they are just concerned for the baby, I just don't think they really *get* the risks of being induced when you're not ready, no matter how many times I tell them.

I am feeling so frustrated. It's like it's me vs. everyone else while the clock is ticking. I just hope to God I go into labor on my own ASAP.

And as for the pulling the cervix forward thing, I've not heard of it, either, but I've asked twice and that IS what he's doing. It is extremely painful and has yet to do any good thus far. He said if I made it to this week's appt that it would hurt even worse than the last two times because he gets a little more aggresive with it each time.

[november]

Ugh! I just hate this....I wish more than anything I could've just had the frigging homebirth I wanted with a midwife. If I have my drethers, I will NEVER go the hospital/Dr. route again. Ever.

[First-Time-Mommy]

wow i'm sorry to hear this november. - blowing you some labor dust, though.

it sounds like a sticky situation. i would go with what your gut is telling you to do though... i know induction is no party and your baby has been measuring large. i think if you don't feel comfortable going passed 10 days either that is totally your decision and you should do what feels right for you. give it some more thought and take a relaxing bath or something, clear your head and decide what is the best decision for you. best of luck, and here is another .

[elisheva]

NAK

s, november. ITA with what PPs have said about induction putting you at higher risk for c/s. Been there, caved to the pressure, have the gash in my belly to prove it. You can fight now for a natural birth or risk having to fight for a VBAC next time...and it almost always is a fight even if it's just fighting your fears/insecurities.

I *would* add, though, that if it looks like the induction isn't working (doesn't produce effective contractions), have them turn off the pit and wait a day or two. Don't let them break your water. Find out if they use cytotec as it's pretty dangerous and not even indicated for use on preg women (I believe it's used to treat ulcers normally??). Also beware of the whole "pit to delivery or distress" where a dr gives the order to keep the pitocin pumping until the baby is delivered or put into distress and a c/s is ordered...fetal bradychardia is a known side-effect of pitocin...

[Mayrigah]

I feel you!!11/13 EDD also

I was also due November 13th, am a first timer and am facing getting my membranes stripped this Friday before the NST and ultrasound or induced by the 25th. Odd, as the doc said I could go til the 27th, and would prefer to deliver as close to Eid al Adha as possible ;-)

I feel for you and relate. What noninvasive, natural methods have you tried?

Me:
Red Raspberry leaf tea in major infusions
DTD (not enough, I think)
Pineapple
Spicy Food
Walking
A little dancing ( when I can)

My only symptom -other than a back pain feeling like menstrual cramp coming and going for two weeks- is that he is lodged in myh pelvis to the point that I have trouble walking. So I am fairly certain he has dropped. I *almost* took blue Cohosh capsules, but my midwife recommended STRONGLY AGAINST.

I am not trying any methods tonight, b/c , like you there is a certain person in the practice ( this particular practice is all pro-natural childbirth, two docs and the rest are certified nurse midwives, can;'t say enough good ) who I am AVOIDING from 8 am tomorrow til 8 am Thursday.
I will seriously just push at home and get driven to the hospital after if he comes on that time frame-
i dislike her THAT much! anyone in the central texas austin area who wants to know should pm me

My next methods are to fork out the `16 bucks and download this hypnosis track that a friend suggested, then me and my love will try acupressure, then I will try a student acupressurists, then a pro.

Do not give up: the struggle is not lost yet!!! Nor is the snuggle :-)
Keep us updated

[Beppie]

I also hope labor starts on its own for you! I can't imagine the stress you are under. When you talk about the doctor pulling on your cervix, ouch! I would never let that guy near me again. whatever is he doing that for? It sounds terrible and like such an invasive thing to do. yikes.

I also wanted to say that my first dd was born at 42 weeks, and we had an ultrasound the day before, and they told me her weight would be 8lb.12oz.
Well, she was born the next day and she weighed 7lb.8oz. U/s estimates are pretty unreliable IMO.

[tuffykenwell]

My due date was November 12 and I have everything I need to self induce but I am sitting here hesitating. This is my last baby and there is a part of me wanting to know if I can do it without mucking about...but then again I am still considered vbac and don't want to hit the wall and be forced to endure another unnecessary c-section YK so I feel your pain.

Still debating whether to pull out the castor oil and moxa tonight or keep waiting...still haven't decided but it is sooo tempting because Isla was born 5 hours after I did the same for her...and she was born 6 days post dates (which would be tomorrow). <sigh> I just don't know.

Good luck and try to relax. I have so btdt since all of my kids have been late (was induced for DS in hospital at 16 days over and had a c-section due to failed induction. Did castor oil inductions for both girls and added in the moxa with Isla which really seemed to work well but the unknown quantity is always your own body right...how "ready" is your body to give birth. If I am ready it will work like a charm based on my experience and if I am not...well I will have a sleepless night and still be pregnant tomorrow.

Steph

[Mayrigah]

What is moxa?

[mama de dos]

Hi there, November.

I'm not in your ddc, but I saw this in new posts and felt compelled to respond as a certified Lamaze childbirth educator and a mom ( I have 3 kids- one horrible induced, difficult labor and birth, and 2 lovely uneventful homebirths!)

SO, several things I'd like to point out/remind you of:

1) You are NOT responsible for the comfort of your doctor, mother or even husband. You are responsible for your baby's well-being and safest birth possible, and for your own well-being. Just b/c your OB, mom, whoever says something doesn't make it right. Your ultimate responsibility from now on out is to your baby. As a mother, that sometimes means making hard decisions and pissing people off. This is good practice for what's to come!

2) There was just a lovely study out that showed that induction DOUBLED the risk of C-section in 1st time moms. A C-sec. that's not truly necessary is a much higher risk to you and your baby than a vaginal delivery.

3) That pulling your cervix forward bit is OUTRAGEOUS- Uncalled for and NOT SUPPORTED BY EVIDENCE. That is simply abusive.
Don't allow him to do that ANYMORE!! There's nothing to be gained by doing it and there are many risks that it introduces. Do NOT permit internal exams at future appts. There's no helpful information that it will provide. Simply do not undress at your next appt and state that you don't want and won't have any more internal exams. Period. That is your right and that is what is supported by evidence, regardless of what your OB may or may not say.

4) If your cervix is still not anterior, your body is not ready for induction anyway! Your cervix is not ripe and the risk of the induction not working is even higher. You can ask what your Bishop's score was (if they even noted it). The cervix moves forward as part of the readying for labor, so if it's still posterior, your body -and your baby!- are not ready!

5) Ask if there is/was protein in your urine. Spilling protein, along with higher b/p, swelling, large weight gain, etc. can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, which is dangerous. Absent other symptoms, a small rise in b/p is not an indication to induce, and alone does not indicate pre-eclampsia (which really would be a reason to induce.)

6) As others have pointed out, suspected big baby is not even recognized by ACOG as a legitmate/valid reason to induce. U/s are often wrong, and women can birth all different sizes of babies- even big ones!

7) Remember that the *average* first pg lasts 41 weeks and one day. You're not even there yet!

8) If there is truly concern about the baby, ask for a bio-physical profile to be done. It measures 5 indicators of fetal well-being and can give reassurance that it's ok to continue the pregnancy. It can be done right in the office, usually, and is non-invasive.

My advice would be to dig down deep and be really strong for the little one inside of you and for what is safest for your body and your baby.

It is hard to stand up to a dr pressuring you to do something, even if you know it's wrong, but it's really important to stand your ground here. YOU are the one who can consent OR NOT CONSENT to procedures on your body.

I know it's hard, but these decisions will have a huge effect on your birth, your baby, your confidence, and potentially your future births.

Be strong and keep us posted. You CAN birth your baby! You CAN be strong!



Very best wishes to you!