Induction - Page 3

[mom at home]

I hope you are in labour , but if not, these are things I tried. Something among them must have been the key as I went into labour that night.

castor oil
fast walking uphill
sex
nipple stimulation
clary sage essential oil in warm water and applied to my belly with a washcloth
the acupressure point on foot already mentioned

You might also try the chiropractor. Also, I 'd be careful about the blue cohosh tea. The cohoshes are controversial in terms of their safety and MD's usually know next to nothing about herbal remedies. I'd also be wary of letting them put anything on your cervix unless you know exactly what it is and feel comfortable with it and be prepared to have them go the next step to pitocin.

I think it's best to let that babe come when he/she is ready without all these seemly benign things I mentioned, but I think they are better than pitocin.

I don't know why those OB's are so impatient.

Alison

edited to add that after reading hydrangea's post I recall that castor oil can cause a fast labor. She had one and I did too, 3 hours from start to finish for me as well. I would also only take it as a last resort, but better than pitocin.

[Plaid]

Wow, Thanks!

You all have been a big help! It is very reassuring to have so much support and to know that others have been in my shoes (sandals, feet are to swollen for shoes! lol).

Kama'aina mama, I took your advice & called my Bradley instructor. She was very supportive, and just suggested asking LOTS of questions. I wish I was better at keeping my head on when I'm at the dr's, but my mind seems to go blank. I am taking my dh w/me from now on! (He attended a lot of the earlier appts, but when it got to be weekly it was too much missed work).

I have read about cytotec (thanks to Mothering!) and there's no way I'd consent to that! I was also concerned about pitocin, because, besides the traumatic labor it can cause, there's a theory that links it to autism, and my dh has asperger's syndrome (an autism spectrum disorder), so I feel our kid is already predisposed and I won't take any chances!

Britishmum, so interesting that you suggest acupuncture. After my appt yesterday I started looking into inducing that way! If labor doesn't start in the next couple days I probably will get it done, provided we can find an acupuncturist experienced in labor induction here.

I will check out the Midwife archives now, and maybe go buy some Evening Primrose Oil and Clary Sage. I'm walking over to the library so I've got something to read while I twiddle my nipple! (maybe I can keep it up longer that way!) I would like to know more about that acupressure point -- is it on the leg or the foot?

I've had some spotting since my internal exam yesterday, and my mucous plug has started to come out, so I feel hopeful. Maybe tonight?

Thanks again, everyone. And good luck to you too, Mamajuice! Let me know how things go for you.

[Piglet68]

Can I ask you guys something?

I'm reading this thread with interest. I have learned alot about induction and have to admit I hate the idea of it. How silly to think all babies come at the same time, or that the EDD is always accurate! And no wonder it leads to all sorts of other interventions - the body isn't ready yet and you are trying to force it!

But...with that in mind, I have to wonder why in the same breath, those who oppose induction in the hospital then list off a whole bunch of things you can try to "get things started". I have heard many reports of castor oil causing severe diarrhea and I would never take it. I suppose at least having sex and an orgasm is fun but...I would not take any teas or anything else.

I guess I'm confused because on the one hand I think we are all saying that it is best to let labour begin when the body is ready in order to have a smoother labour and delivery, and yet then everybody is always suggesting things you can eat, drink, or do at home to "get things going". Isn't this contradictory??

None of this applies to me since I'm having a scheduled c-section but I do enjoy learning about this stuff so sorry if this question sounds a bit ignorant!

Gardenmama I hope you can avoid the induction.

[cottonwood]

Castor oil and blue cohosh both carry risks. Some people have good experiences with them, but I would proceed with extreme caution (actually I personally wouldn't use either.)

Piglet, I hear where you're coming from. ACOG themselves caution against inducing unless it's medically indicated -- in other words, if the mother or baby is in some sort of danger, e.g., pre-eclampsia or low fluids. Look, why interfere with the natural process unless it's necessary, especially when induction in itself carries risks of all kinds?

I don't know about the risks of elevation -- there may be some validity to blood oxygen levels making a difference of some kind, but I fail to see why a term or post-term baby would be affected more adversely than a premature baby.

Remember, just because you are at 41 weeks, even if you are quite sure about date of conception, does not mean that the baby is post-term. If the baby is doing fine, the baby is still in there for a REASON.

[abigailvr]

Piglet, I don't know much about teas, and I probably won't try those when I start getting desperate to go into labor, but I do know that a lot of the other suggestions won't actually start your labor unless your body is ready. Evening primrose oil and semen both soften the cervix, which should make things move along more quickly once they start, and orgasm will cause contractions, but I don't think the contractions will continue unless your body wants them to.

I think part of the reason that even some of the more extreme home remedies are preferable to pitocin is that with pitocin you are strapped to an IV (and a monitor, I believe) under the hospital's control, as opposed to at home able to move around and be in control yourself.

At least that's my point of view.

[Piglet68]

How timely! On today's episode of A Baby Story there was a fascinating story of a surrogate mother giving birth for a couple who had already lost four babies. It was amazing...it was their fertilized embryo and she carried it. Wow, don't think I could ever do that....amazing...

anyways...the surrogate asked her doctor to induce her so the biological parents could attend the birth (apparently they lived rather far away). she was started on pitocin with steadily increasing doses, cervical gel etc and for 23 hours she sat at 2 cm dilated. everybody was stressed out, the surrogate was in tears, the bio. parents were in tears....and I thought to myself

why is nobody suprised about this??????????? I mean, honestly, why would anybody think that giving a drug or two is going to mimic the amazing process that leads to labour beginning and continuing. i felt so bad for them b/c they all went through this ordeal for nothing and they should have realised this could happen! they sent the surrogate home.

10 days later she was back with the pitocin and this time they ruptured her membranes and she did end up giving birth. she had horrible pain until they gave her the "wonder drug" epidural. i have nothing against them but it just confirmed what i've already heard about pitocin causing very painful contractions.

well, thanks to those of you who addressed my question about inducing. i guess a little sex or nipple stimulation won't get anything started that isn't meant to get started, and it's sure to be a darn sight more fun than pitocin, lol. but I still think i'd be afraid to start taking things like castor oil or herbal teas, etc.

[tea olive]

i'm pg with third and very cautious of due date. my second was three weeks late, 22 days. i would attribute it to him being posterior and that i have 35-40 day cycles. he was due the week before christmas so i felt pretty weird when the year ended and i felt i had a whole year ahead of me to hold this baby in! on top of that my midwife was legally in trouble (after two weeks post date)while we waited. she let me know it was cool and i felt good about the baby. everything went fine.

we tried the usual things including primrose oil and a conservative try at senna (cassia) tea which does cause diarrhea but not so rough as castoroil. i believe the eliminating effect is why it sometimes helps labor along. i was willing to try these less invasive methods over induction. and none of them worked at the time my baby simply was not ready.

your ob can't make you come to the hospital. you are paying them after all. there are few laws about this issue so if i were you i'd just stay home. even if they want to check heart tones they can't make you stay to induce legally. don't let them threaten welfare of the beby unless you feel that may be valid.

i think you should decide your position, and then live with it, get someone to advocate for you or remind you and Quit Fighting. keep your energy for labor, for yourself and the baby - don't give it away to the ob. enjoy that the baby's kickcounts inside you and let the process be. if you haven't already, have a long talk with yourself and the baby about how you are ready and what a wondrous experience this will be for both of you.

health and joy to you
search your feelings and do what feels right

casina

[valeria_vi]

i don't wanna scare anyone here, but i've heard things about docs doing stuff to a patient without their consent (like stripping the membranes during a dialation check at the office visit and not letting a woman know, or only letting her know afterwards). so i would be very cautious of going to the hospital or even your doc's office and let them anywhere near vagina. they know your attitude, don't they? and they still want to induce, don't they? they might "accidentally" break your water, and then there will be no way back for you.

[Plaid]

Well, I'm getting some acupressure done tonight, and maybe the baby will be born on his father's birthday (Friday, also the summer solstice)!

Before it happened to me, I thought mothers who freaked out when they went past their due dates were silly. I always had the mindset of "the baby will come when it's ready and why hurry it?", and I still do, but it's a different ballgame when you have a doctor acting like you are endangering the welfare of your child. You have not only your own anxieties to deal with, and all the doubts put in your head by every well-meaning person who asks "when are you ever going to have that baby?", but also you start questioning your own judgement when the doctor says you are not doing what's best. Of course, I know better. And casina, you are right, I should not be wasting my energy on the dr!

I had a bunch of mild contractions last night, so maybe the acupressure will just nudge things along. And if not, then it's not meant to happen that way, and I will wait and get the monitoring done and stick to my guns as long as there is no sign of problems.

Thanks again everyone!

[Ravenmoon]

Hey mama,i went over 2 weeks late and my midwives were getting ready to send me to the hospital when i started the accupuncture.I had it done on a thursday night and she gave me some chinese herbs to make a tea with also(horrible tasting!),then again on friday evening and i started having some mild contrax.On saturday i took 4oz of castor oil in a big chocolate milkshake(i didn't even drink it all)and then called to make another accupuncture appt.i went for a walk and needed to pee so we headed home.I sat on the potty and ended up pooping a whole bunch and then i got up and felt a contrax.They were three minutes apart for two hours and weren't bothering me too much but all of the sudden i felt like pushing.Called the midwife and she rushed over and i was only 5cm!45 minutes later out came my lil girl!9 lbs of big healthy but way overdue baby(she was peeling and had super dry skin).I think the acupuncture really helped,it was so relaxing and wonderful but i still needed a push.My accupuncturist told me to take the castor oil if i still hadn't gone into labor and she would give me another treatment in addition to it but i never made it for that last meeting.I was a little nauseous upon taking the oil but it really wasn't bad at all and i finally had my babe without having to go the hospital.It was necessary for me to do it and i don't regret it.I tried EPO,black and blue cohosh,homeopathics all before the acupuncture and nothing worked.I hope this helps!

[Plaid]

Ravenmoon,

Yes, it helps a lot to hear from moms who had success with acupuncture. And, since your dd was for sure overdue, your body must have needed the coaxing. Maybe that's what's going on w/me. I am really looking forward to getting down to the business of childbirth!

[breathingmom]

Garden Mama, I recently saw this list of questions for labor and birth but that I thought that they might be applicable to your situation as well.

"Informed consent: Questions for Labor & Birth"

What is the procedure?
Why is it being suggested?
What are my other options?
How could this affect my labor, my baby, and me?
Do we have time to think it over?
What would happen if we did nothing?
Is this an emergency?

While it sounds like you have many of these questions already answered, I hope that this may be helpful to other families in your same situation.

In my opionion it is never too late to change who is attending your birth. You need to feel safe with whoever is with you especially if you are choosing to be in a hospital. If your dr is not listening to you now, how might he/she be when you are in labor?

While it may be frustrating to be in this situation I also think that it can be a tremendous opportunity for growth and empowerment! Please keep us informed what you decide, we will be here! Blessings, Jill

[Britishmum]

If you haven't already gone into labour, stick to your guns. It's not easy but it can be done! Most women give in, the ob will make you feel that you are ignorant and risking your baby etc etc etc. Mine was extremely rude to me, and I just walked out. And dd was born at 9lbs, perfectly healthy and beautiful!

Once you do go into labour, though, you need to be able to trust your birth helpers and feel able to 'let go' and stop fighting the establishment. Make sure that they are well informed about your wishes and then trust them to protect you - your job is to birth your baby.

I say this because I can now look back on my first labour and realise that I never really relaxed into it because I was so tense from the fight with the ob and felt defensive throughout. Stand firm, go into labour naturally, then let your dh be your advocate.

If you can change your ob, I would even at this stage, but I found that nobody would agree to take me on because of the situation.

Good luck - I'm thinking of you! Hope the accupuncture works for you.

[BusyMommy]

Are you still waiting?
I had your situation and found a sneaky little solution. I let my dr. schedule me for 2 inductions and called in sick for both of them. NOT kind or ethical, but it worked. She didn't "drop" me and understood my paranoia and I got to hold out for the real thing.

PS: I agree w/all the other home methods, but maybe a breast pump would help?

Piglet-once you induce at a hospital, you're there for the duration. If the cervadel (or whatever) fails, on to the pitocin. That fails? On to the C/S.

yes, the gel is animal semen. They insert it like a tampon and you lay there for ???12 hours before they try another dose. Cervidel (sp?) is pig semen.

[mom at home]

animal semen???? That's rather disgusting.

piglet, to respond to your question... if it comes down to the doc inducing with pitocin or doing milder things at home, I'd rather do these other things. Especially if one is planning a homebirth, having a midwife say that you will have to go to the hospital to be induced if you don't go into labor soon is a terrifying thought for those who REALLY don't want a hospital birth, esp. being induced. Of course it is much better for the wee one to come when they are ready, but docs and even most midwives are not going to let you go too long.

There are things I wouldn't try, like the cohoshes as I don't think they are safe, and I would only take a small amt of castor oil. It didn't give me the runs, but I didn't take much.

Gardenmama, any progress?

[Plaid]

STILL pregnant.

Walking every day.

Sex every day.

Accupuncture 2 days ago.

I've started having mild, irregular contractions. But nothing to get excited about. The good news is my bpp (ultrasound & efm) on Thurs scored a perfect 10 again, so there shouldn't be anything to worry about, except the pressure from the dr at our appt this Monday. breathingmom, I will use those questions. Thanks!

I agree, the thought of pig semen is very disgusting!

Thanks for your thoughts everyone, and I will post a birth story when I have one, hopefully very soon.

[Britishmum]

Bump for Abigailvr, who is askign a similar question

Gardenmama - How are things? Presuming that you have had the baby?

[Plaid]

IT'S A GIRL!!

Baby Clare was born via c-section June 26, 2002 after 29 hrs of drug-free back labor! She was unfortunately sunny-side-up and the dr could not turn her & in that position she couldn't get past my pubic bone... There's been some health problems -- baby had seizures, not related to the birth, long story that I will post when time permits... though it looks like everything is going to be okay. We just got home from hospital yesterday.

Enjoying breastfeeding my beautiful, 8lb, 12 oz gift from heaven.

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts & prayers.


Edited to add: I did manage to go into labor "spontaneously" (if you don't count the acupuncture, nipple stim, etc!). I walked 2 miles (in an hour) the night before labor began.

[Corriander]

Congratulations!

I know that she is beautiful!

[lunasmum]

how wonderful that your little bebe is here!

many many blessings to you and your family