This is going to be long, Windycity....but I hope you will read it all. I've been reading your numerous posts here and elsewhere, and as UC mama and mw both, I think you need to hear this stuff! (of course I do, or I wouldn't take the time to say it!)
The first thing to clearly understand is that just because you are having prodromal labor does NOT mean that your baby is ready.
The 2nd thing to understand is that your baby being malpositioned is NOT the reason that active labor has not started.
To explain the 2nd thing more: even when babies are transverse or oblique, mamas still go into active labor when it's time. There is a belief among many careproviders that malpositioning prevents active labor--a belief that only when the presenting part is putting direct pressure on the cervix will labor become active and effective for helping bring on dilation. This is a myth. I have seen several active labors now, where baby was nowhere near the cervix--either transverse, oblique, or in 'good enough LOA position' but simply riding high and not placing any pressure on the cervix. Not only did active labor initiate, it also caused highly effective dilation (not taking long to bring on dilation--even to fully dilated-- I mean).
Bringing this all back to the first point: the onset of active labor is the result of a mutual biochemical dance between mother and baby. Mom's body ramps up toward labor by producing more oxytocin for more contrax during the later part of pregnancy....for some moms this means quite significant bouts of labor that always stop (tho some don't notice it so much). But the baby doesn't really participate so much until baby IS ready, and then begins to send out other biochemical signals which act as a 'go' signal for mom's body--once baby's signals are strong enough, mom finally 'goes into real labor', her oxytocin levels climb higher and do not recede until after baby is out.
At 38wks, I have my doubts that your baby is ready. If your baby were ready, you would be in active labor by now, plain and simple. What is happening now (apart from your pain) is that you and baby are starting the early stages of your birth dance. Your contrax are helping your cervix to efface and open, while also massaging the baby and giving baby some 'practice' for managing active labor. It could be considered 'labor by installments' which is bringing slow progress that in an important way is best for you and baby both. This is very normal and predictable for most moms who've already had at least one other baby. But your body is very wisely NOT going into active labor yet, because it is NOT receiving the proper signals from baby yet, the signals which tell your body surely that baby IS NOW READY to be born.
Now, there is the matter of your pain, which is something anyone would want over with! That kind of pain can make this prodromal phase so hard to deal with--and I can see why you would want to believe that your baby is ready and it may be perfectly safe to try to induce yourself by various 'natural' means. But at 38wks, it is not really natural at all to induce labor; it may be a good enough decision for 'medical reasons' and perhaps your pain is reason enough, even if baby is doing fine in there. I just want to you clearly understand that you are NOT YET getting any signals at all that your baby is ready! And in this era of the induction epidemic, we now have plenty of evidence to show that induction this early has also caused an epidemic of 'late term premies'--and I am guessing that you would not want to UC, only to have to transport the baby for breathing or suck issues caused by your choice to induce.
It sounds as if you may have a hypermobile pelvis, and this is causing poor alignment of the pelvic bones/lower spine--thus all the pain. All women produce relaxin during pregnancy to soften the pelvic joints in order to make baby's passage easier. In your case, it is a case of 'too much'--your pelvis is too unstable, this occurs for some women and it can be quite painful. My suggestion is that you do all in your power to address the pain, and the source of the pain. Chiropractic adjustment can help very much in bringing better alignment--and then continuously wearing a pelvic support belt will help hold things in place for the remainder of your pregnancy (and beyond, til your hormones change again and your pelvis re-stabilizes). Getting adjusted a few times in one week might be needed, to get your pelvis settled well--and that may also bring your baby into more favorable position.
You might also start using more active pain management techniques to reduce the pain and make sleep and daily functioning more comfortable. This is important of course--you don't want to be all worn out by the time active labor hits, and then you have a baby AND a toddler to care for! Some herbs and homeopathics may help--or even a dose of benedryl at bedtime, or a glass of wine.
Some women's pelvic type/shape makes it simply easiest for baby to enter the pelvis in a posterior position. I don't think it likely has all that much to do with the placenta at this point (not to entirely rule that out). It could be that the shape inside your pelvis, the shape that makes OP most comfy for baby, is the result of that hypermobility/misalignment--and if so, then adjustment and wearing a belt will change things so that your baby adjusts appropriately. But it could be more about the natural shape/type of pelvis you have, which cannot be 'fixed' and doesn't need to be (tho adjustment and belt will still help!).
I know it probably seems that induction now would 'solve the problem'--I just caution you that 'for every action there is an equal and opposite REaction'....inducing now could well bring on OTHER problems for you/baby. I would not even consent to membrane stripping.
You say you plan to UC....but I think you may be missing the fundamental, core reason for UC: trust. Trust in yourself, your body, your baby and in BIRTH. I know you are in pain, and that can make anyone crazy! Yet I urge you to stop, quiet yourself, and really consider what you want, what you are really comfortable with. I don't see that you are preparing yourself for a UC....I see you pushing yourself closer to a managed birth. Partly, that is because you are still referring to your mw as an Authority, you are still depending on her skills and management. Any way you really most truly desire to give birth is ok, perfectly OK! And if you really want UC, well find your trust. Take charge of your trust, and take charge of all that you do (and all that you choose to avoid doing)--and remember, sometimes 'taking charge' means 'keeping your peace and doing NOTHING AT ALL but trusting, relaxing, allowing, INSTEAD of actively taking charge of things'.
Take charge first of all of your trust, and your peace of mind--and know that that is the main thing to 'do' toward healthy UC. Trust is the one thing we UC mamas DO most actively---which, when that trust is strong, most often means that we are doing *nothing else* to try to 'be in charge' of birth. There are exceptions, of course...sometimes trust demands some form of remedial action in a given situation....but in your case, I think the 'remedy' needs to be fixing the pelvis as best as possible, learning how to deal more effectively with the pain, and most of all finding your trust!
Just my usual rambling opinion, offered lovingly toward your best possible, healthiest and most empowered birth experience
) back pain and cramping. No loss of plug and no bloody show or mucous.
I've even laid off the RRLT a bit and my ctx and uterus are still kickin'. *sigh* sorry if it seems like I'm just whining- I really hope labor is around the corner.
