not sure what i'm asking...?

[boobiepiebaby]

Tomorrow I go for my second NST and then a prenatal appointment where I KNOW they will be talking about induction...again. I'm 11 days "over due" and DH is wanting me to be induced as well (this is my 2nd pregnancy). I've been trying to go into labor for 2 weeks and have tried everything short of castor oil and the cohoshes.
I really don't want to be induced but I don't think I'll be able to fight DH off because I know his reasons behind it (which are understandable but fear based) and I don't know how to defend myself anymore. Especially since my Dr. said I would be a good candidate for it since I'm already 3 cm. and at least (if not more by now) 50% effaced.
My appt. is at 3pm tomorrow so that gives me time to try some other natural inductions before I have to see the dr. I don't really want to do the cohoshes because of the (very slim) chance of fetal heart attack. But the castor oil seems reasonable. Any advice on these? I've been doing some research on all of this but would like to see what you all had to say.

** As a side note, when you're in labor, can you check yourself to see how many centimeters you are??? I seen this on another post and I was curious.

[Kidzaplenty]

If you are going to try CO, you should do it soon. It can take 6-12 hours for it to actually kick labor in gear. (For me, it usually takes about 4-6 hours before contractions start.) And you will need to take two or three doses; one dose, then an hour or two later another dose, and if necessary another dose an hour or two later. (I usually do them two hours apart.)

If I am ready, CO usually works. Hope you get the birth you want!

[nashvillemidwife]

Castor oil often works with just one dose.

[MegBoz]

Well, you say you've tried everything, so I assume that includes having your membranes stripped? if it doesn't work the first time, having it done again can help.

I wouldn't cave to pressure - from doc or DH! Open up the book, "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" to the chapter on pitocin & have your DH read. It's tougher on the baby than the body's natural oxytocin. (Not to mention much tougher on mama.)

Sorry, but your DH needs to MAN UP! Yes, there is a slightly increased risk of stillbirth as you pass 41W, but there are also risks to induction. NO CHOICES IN BIRTH ARE 100% PERFECTLY SAFE. Then again, is anything in life ever perfectly safe?? Making choices in ignorance based purely on fear is immature & irresponsible.

OK, sorry, that was harsh & judgmental, but I think it's the truth. The mature & responsible action is to get educated, know the facts, and then weigh it all & make an informed decision after obtaining that knowledge. You also need to remember to weigh in the emotional stress you'll feel at being induced & having to do all your laboring in the hospital. That ISN'T JUST an emotional issue! We all know the damage that can occur from mama being in a bad place emotionally - such as stalling labor. I do also believe there is research showing stress & the presence of strangers can cause heart rate decels in fetuses of laboring animals.

As long as your NST shows a healthy babe & you continue kick counts, I'd go to at least 42W. (I personally went to where you are now, 41W4D.)

[Happiestever]

I would just say that that day doesn't work for you, but perhaps agree to another NST. I would really spend a lot of time trying to get baby in good position. I went in for my induction when my son was 11 days past- 2 days later he was evicted. I really wish I would have at least let my body go to the 15 days past mark.

And I would definitely try CO before I had a hospital induction. Best wishes!

[poetesss]

That's a hard position, but I would gently try to help my dh understand that you don't want to take the risk of induction for yourself or the baby. A little delaying for a few days is all you need, you are already 11 days past, just keep thinking that "it won't be much longer." Once your beautiful babe is here, any ill feelings and disagreements your dh has with your choice will hopefully be forgotten

[AutumnAir]

You're not even "overdue" yet. By medical standards 'term' is anywhere between 37/38 weeks and 42 weeks. It also strikes me as odd that the same medicos who start fear-mongering and trying to pressure a woman into unnecesary inductiion just to avoid being 'over-due' seem to have no compunctions about C-sections at 38 weeks which often lead to premie babies.

They can't force you to induce. Just say no thanks and agree to come back in in another few days for another NST. Get your DH to do some reading - Henci Goer as suggested above is a good one.

I totally understand the stress and pressure. DD didn't come until 43+1 weeks - so she was actually just over a week 'overdue', but then the women in my family gestate longer than normal. Hang in there!

[cappuccinosmom]

If the NST shows all is well, you can put them off, though they probably won't be happy with it.

Castor oil never worked for me. So we just waited it out. My two youngest were both born at 42 w 3 d. Healthy as can be and my labors were 4 hrs long. I did submit to multiple NSTs and bpps in those last two weeks. A pain in the neck but since I was making the "risky" choice, I wanted to be sure I was doing everything I could to make sure my babies were safe. Since they never demonstrated any signs of stress in the womb, I never agreed to induction.