Prodromal stuff and waiting for labour thread - Page 8

[Terrilein]

So, the temperature dropped dramatically after a really good thunderstorm last night and I managed to sleep a ton! Yeah! I had talked with my mw yesterday after the doc visit and I was instructed to take the castor oil cocktail if she didn't text me to say she was attending another birth. So here I am at 10:20 am and have finally managed to choke down the brew. I had to drink it in two rounds because it was so nasty. Right after the first round I got a big ole cramp. Now I feel fine. My book says it can take 2-6 hours for the castor oil to do anything. I only took 30 ml since I've been so crampy and hope that it will be enough to get things going.

DP is making pancakes for breakfast. Afterwards we'll make the bed. I think I'll pop in the shower then and just wait!

[Surfacing]

Originally Posted by Angela512

To those of you who keep having stalled out labor, I cannot stress how much chiropractic (gentle manipulation, no spine cracking, etc) and accupressure/accupuncture helped me!!

I've been going to the chiro regularly during this pregnancy and cannot believe what a difference it has made to my overall physical comfort and pelvic comfort this pregnancy. Haven't tried accupuncture but good to keep in mind.

Originally Posted by Ottbabies

SO last night I was so excited about loosing my mucous plug and having a bloody show!! I don't remember that with DD and my ctx started coming pretty regular soon after, so I went to bed thinking I would be in active labor by morning but now nothing...... I did lose more of my plug though this morning so something must be happening. I am planning on doing lots of walking today.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by carliec76

Tried to have sex and instead got stabbed in the wrong spot for my trouble.

Ouch!

CMH - I've had some periods where there's been less/no mucous and then a couple of days later HELLO someone has sneezed in my panties again. Maybe it's just your body gearing up for the next round. Either way, things sound like they are progressing. Did you ever get in to your tub?

Terrilein - Got my fingers crossed for you - I hope the castor oil works.

*******
AFM - more sharp cramps at cervix, a lot more now, pain in my inner thighs like menstrual cramps, mucous, no blood. Grumble. Dh and I are going to take a walk again today. It's my sister's birthday and one day before my due date. I would love to have this baby today. But it's out of my hands.... for me too!

to everyone!

[Terrilein]

*sigh* Just got back from seeing my midwife. Still no changes in my cervix. But then at that point I'd only had contractions for approx. 2 hours, and they're very light and easy ones. She's not calling it real labor yet. I'm betting they'll evolve into active labor eventually (after 30 hours) like they did with dd. I just hope it happens a hell of a lot faster. I really thought I'd have a baby in my arms tonight. Now it's looking more like it'll be sometime tomorrow. I think I'll try using my milk pump for a bit of stimulation. Anyone ever done that? Or is it really better to tweak your nipples?

[KatWozBlue]

sounds like a lot of you ladies are moving along towards the final goal :-). I had my appt today, 2 cms and 50% effaced, very soft, but besides a few contractions over the last few days, there's nothing much going on. I am 38 weeks tomorrow, so I know I have plent of time, but #2 was born at 38 weeks, so it does make me wish for an early bird again.

Dr knows we have two other children, so she offered me an induction again around the 26th (4 days before my due date) and though last time I was not tempted at all, this time, I was like, hmmmmmmmm, it would be convenient since then my mil could come and watch the kids since my own mother bailed out of our original plans and isn't arriving until the 30th.

I am so anti induction, but the thought of going into labor and having to wait 2 hours until someone could get here makes me nervous, my daughter was 3 hours start to finish.....at least I have another week to decide...sigh.

Sending labor vibes to everyone who has the start of some action

[AmyKT]

Originally Posted by Terrilein

*sigh* Just got back from seeing my midwife. Still no changes in my cervix. But then at that point I'd only had contractions for approx. 2 hours, and they're very light and easy ones. She's not calling it real labor yet. I'm betting they'll evolve into active labor eventually (after 30 hours) like they did with dd. I just hope it happens a hell of a lot faster. I really thought I'd have a baby in my arms tonight. Now it's looking more like it'll be sometime tomorrow. I think I'll try using my milk pump for a bit of stimulation. Anyone ever done that? Or is it really better to tweak your nipples?

Easy, pretty labor vibes to you! I know the waiting is wicked awful, but I hope you're able to get some good rest before the action starts. It's night time where you are, right?

[Surfacing]

Terri I was just reading that even massaging your breasts with a warm wet washcloth for 1 hour (!?!?) is recommended for breast/nipple stimulation, but to ease off it it causes ctxns for more than 60 seconds. But either the pump or self-tweaking could also work. Try and see what you prefer?

***
My sharp cervix cramps and uterus tightening have picked up today. It's feeling like it's moving in the right direction. Turns out my MW is not going out of town afterall and will do a home visit tomorrow with us. Yay! I will be 40 weeks. I'm getting so tired of people asking when the baby is coming. Hang in there, all!

[mrsdocmartin]

Can I join the club?? I'm only 38 weeks and I swore that I wouldn't be impatient this time as DS was born with an induction at 42w1d. But, last night we had a huge thunderstorm with tornado warnings and I just felt like something was going to happen. I was having a ton of BH like contractions, but they were getting stronger and more regular and were hurting like bad AF cramps. Today I've had a major low bachache. DH adjusted me this morning, which helped a little. I have not been checked at all and won't be as I am GBS+ and not getting abx. I do feel really bulgy down there if you know what I mean. Forgive the dumb question, but could that be my cervix I am feeling? I've also been having a lot of stabbing in my cervix for a few weeks now.

I am sending labor vibes to all of you!!

[Terrilein]

Well, so much for castor oil. My contractions have all but stopped. Bummer.

[mrsdocmartin]

Originally Posted by Terrilein

Well, so much for castor oil. My contractions have all but stopped. Bummer.

That sucks! I used castor oil with DS and it didn't work for me either. Good luck to you!

[Surfacing]

Bummer Terrilein!

[carliec76]

If I was a horse I would be going into labor in the next 24-48 hours. My vulva is all loose and floppy tonight...I know TMI, I just noticed it and thought it was weird, so I googled it and go info on horses foaling...lol

[Surfacing]

Originally Posted by carliec76

If I was a horse I would be going into labor in the next 24-48 hours. My vulva is all loose and floppy tonight...I know TMI, I just noticed it and thought it was weird, so I googled it and go info on horses foaling...lol

I love the things we talk about in our ddc!

[carliec76]

oh and I am 4 lbs less then I have been the last 2 days...water weight...that was a good sign with my others.

[Terrilein]

foaling horses, lol!
I tried using my breast pump yesterday and I wonder if it's broken? It couldn't get a good hold of my breast although I'm ample enough. The suction just gives up almost as soon as I squeeze the handle (Avent manual pump). Or is it because I don't have anything to pump yet??? It came with replacement parts (I bought my pump used on ebay) so maybe I'll just try using the new ones?
And today . . . practically no contractions. I'm a bit upset. The other bad news? Our babysitter for dd will be off this afternoon and possible this weekend as well to take care of her partner who had an accident while on a bicycling vacation with his family. Not sure what we're going to do now. Got another NST this afternoon. I imagine my cervix will not have changed at all. Anything besides sex help ripen the cervix?

[Surfacing]

Originally Posted by Terrilein

foaling horses, lol!
I tried using my breast pump yesterday and I wonder if it's broken? It couldn't get a good hold of my breast although I'm ample enough. The suction just gives up almost as soon as I squeeze the handle (Avent manual pump). Or is it because I don't have anything to pump yet??? It came with replacement parts (I bought my pump used on ebay) so maybe I'll just try using the new ones?
And today . . . practically no contractions. I'm a bit upset. The other bad news? Our babysitter for dd will be off this afternoon and possible this weekend as well to take care of her partner who had an accident while on a bicycling vacation with his family. Not sure what we're going to do now. Got another NST this afternoon. I imagine my cervix will not have changed at all. Anything besides sex help ripen the cervix?

Hmmm doesn't sound like your pump has a good enough seal on your nipple/areola somehow. It needs to be a stronger suction, is what it sounds like to me.

Ripening the cervix - evening primrose oil capsules inserted vaginally or taken orally. I take 2 or 3 of the 500 mg capsules orally and also 2 or 3 of them vaginally. Hang in there Terrilein, baby can't camp out forever!

[Terrilein]

Ugh! I just figured out that I put one of the parts on my pump on wrong. Now it works just fine! After breakfast I'll go do some shopping for the EPO - not that I'll find any - and ingredients for the labor cookies. I'll do my baking and nip stim this afternoon and see what happens!

[slgt]

I have a doc's appointment this afternoon. I've been taking EPO (orally) but that's about it...they'll probably do an NST, but other than that...I'm still torn about whether to have them do an internal or not. Part of me knows that it doesn't make a difference, doesn't mean anything - but part of me would love to hear some reassurance that my body is doing SOMETHING to get ready!

I guess I'll talk DH into a prostaglandin contribution tonight - not that it will take any convincing! I have a massage in about an hour, debating about asking her to do trigger points....

Last 2 nights, I've had "wishful thinking" moments - I wake up suddenly due to strong discomfort - hoping/praying/wishing it was a contraction - only to realize that no, it's just baby moving strongly and pushing on my full bladder. Owie. and sigh.

[shenanegans]

I am 40 weeks and 3 days now. Feeling good. I have lots of daily contractions but mostly in the afternoon /evening. Its been like this for more than a week now. My sister is in town to help out with our birth and the baby and she leaves next Wed so I really hope the baby appears before then! She arrived at my 39 week mark and is leaving at 41. hope it all picks up soon! My midwife said I am very soft and a bit dialated so things look good.

[MJB]

Is it just me or does EPO smell awful? I'm taking it orally but I tried it vaginally a couple nights ago and I felt like my lady parts still stunk even after a shower and a couple hours in the pool. I can't take that! My nose has been *really* sensitive lately though, like the first trimester all over again.

I woke up this morning with the baby's head out of my pelvis and kind of on my hip joint. She's been stubbornly LOT/LOP so I am glad she decided to move somewhere, but without a head smashing into my pelvis I feel like she'll never come out. I think she's going to take another week or two. Which is fine, really, but with all the bloody show and contractions I thought it would be sooner!

[dana76]

EPO does stink! I've been using vaginally the last few nights...

I woke up to a strong contraction last night and got soooo excited!!!! I thought, "This is it!!! YAY!!!!!!" And then I went back to sleep until my next pee. UGH!!!! Such a teaser!!!!

I think this may be the hardest part of pregnancy for me. I'm not a patient person by nature so the clockwatching is killing me! I've had inconsistent contractions for the last 3 days, so in my head, every day is "The day". I just want to meet my little girl already! (also, I do not want to be prego anymore. I feel like a sausage stuffed in it's casing