safe way to induce labor for vba2c? updated

[mom2happy]

I just want to say thanks for the responses from experienced vbacers

I left out that the baby has been head down forever and just switches side to side.
Also, this will be my first vaginal birth, so I dont even know if the other ones dropped. The first one was at 36and 1/2 weeks and the second was 39 weeks.
I didnt have any type of prelabor or false labor or whatever with eithor one.
I am just terrified of coming this far and this guy "breaking it to me"
that he wont do it. It took forever to find this situation. I couldnt even find a midwife who would do it.
He might not give me a hard time at all, but I just want to be ready for week 40 in case it comes.







I told my dr. I'd rather have a 3rd c than be induced artificially.
He checked me yesterday after 3 days and 2 nights of steady contractions and my cervix is closed.
He is an awesome dr. and Im starting to trust him, but he has told me that if the baby gets too big he's not going to want me to deliver naturally.
Im 38 weeks now and the contractions totally stopped today and I feel pretty great after days of pain, pressure, contractions.....
I dont want to feel great! I felt so lousy that I was sure it was happening.
Im just wondering if there are any alternatives since Im refusing medical inducttion that are safe and work.
Yesterday he was totally cool and said that my cervix just isnt ready yet and he was fine with that. I just want to be prepared next week just in case he changes his tune.
I will NOT be put on pitocin or have that cervix stuff, but Im thinking I might let him break my water as a last resort if he starts saying he wont deliver the baby vaginally.
I know Im projecting, but I just want to be prepared.

[Mom2M]

You are only 38 weeks, don't worry too much yet.
My doctor said no pitocin or induction at all for my VBA2C. I had to go into labor naturally.

At 41 weeks, my cervix was closed and there was no sign of any changes at all. I had my VBA2C at 42 weeks exactly, (took some convincing, lol) and she was 9 pounds 6 oz.

U/s measurements of the baby's size are so inaccurate it is ridiculous. My baby was "supposed to be" 7.5 pounds and she was 9 lbs. 6 oz.
My DD1 was "supposed to be" 8 pounds and was 6 pounds 1 oz.

Take good care of yourself and walk as much as you can and trust that your body knows what it's doing!

oh yeah, ETA...I was having contractions every night for hours that felt strong! This lasted a week or so before delivery!

[CherryBomb]

I personally wouldn't feel safe with any type of induction. I had a vba2c and went into labor naturally at 41w3d. The only thing I would even consider would be AROM IF baby was low enough that cord prolapse wasn't a concern and I was at like 42 weeks.

[cathicog]

If your cervix is closed, you aren't ready yet. any induction at all, would more than likely end up in more surgery. I wouldn't even worry about it, til 42 weeks. all these contractions may be getting him in an optimal position to be born and any pressure to birth before 42 weeks might do more harm than good. Since this isn't your first baby, it is more likely that baby will "drop" closer to actual labor time, and in the meantime, your body is preparing him for that, by getting him in the best position for birth. Has he been posterior at all? if so, reading up on Optimal Fetal Positioning (www.spinningbabies.org) might help. Most untinkered women have thier babies between 41 and 42 weeks....if you really wanted to soften the cervix, Evening primrose capsules put in the vagina up near the cervix before bedtime(and wear a pad, they get a little gooey when they melt)and allowed to stay overnight can help soften it. You could also think about stripping the membranes, but I wouldn't suggest that unless you were already 42 weeks...it would be a way to start labor though, within 24-48 hrs...

[maotmsmi]

*

Edited by maotmsmi - 5/21/11 at 12:51pm

[miclarey]

Have you tried accupuncture as a natural induction method? It worked for me last time! Best wishes!