please tell me what to do and no smart butts either.

[sunshine88]

i really need advice.... im am 36 weeks preg, i have been in pre term labor since 28 weeks, i was put on procardia every 3 hours and bed rest until now. 2 days ago i was allowed to quit takin the procardia and doc says she will not stop labor but also won't induce, so i been contracting for 2 days but now they are stronger and hurt soooo bad of course!! well the contractions put me from a finger tip to a full 2 in one day yesterday but today i have not changed in dilation and my cervix still thick, im hurting so bad and won't be admitted until 4cm. well with my first child i had preeclampsia and had her at 33 weeks, she was pretty healthy weighing 7. 8 and was fine, but i was in hardcore labor at the hospital all day and night and only stayed at 1cm and recieved epi at only one due to not dilating and then they ended up stretching me all the way that day. so i think maybe i just have a stubborn thick cervix everything else seems to be ready so i am about to take castor oil to make contractions even stronger. i have had the steroid shot for lungs 2 months ago and 5 weeks ago the baby was estimated 4lbs so i really think we are ready and i am in pain

[egmaranian]

Hi Sunshine.  I can see that you are new to MDC, so welcome.  You have posted your question to the August 2011 Due Date Club.  We are a group of mamas who are around 14-18 weeks pregnant, so we may not be the best group to help you with labor issues.  May I suggest that you repost your question in the general "I'm Pregnant" section or to the Due Date Club that matches your due month so the women reading your post are about as far along as you and can better relate to your question/concerns.

Good luck mama.

[Italiamom]

You will probably get far more hits if you post this in the general pregnancy forum!

I'm not exactly sure what your question is, but it sounds like you're having contractions that aren't dilating your cervix, and are driving you crazy?  Your post made it sound like your baby is ready and bringing on the contractions, but your cervix just isn't?  For that, I would recommend an evening primrose oil supplement.  The evening primrose oil (referred to often on these boards as EPO) is high in prostaglandins (which can also be found in semen, btw, so plenty of sex if your water hasn't broken, is also great!).  You can take 2-4 capsules per day, and assuming again that your water hasn't broken, you can also insert 2 capsules vaginally at night.  Poke a small hole in each with a pin, and then push them right up against your cervix with your fingers.  Make sure to wear a panty liner in your underwear, as some of the oil will leak out, and it's a little on the messy side.  Don't wear your favorite undies!

If you were to go to the hospital, one of the first things they'd try would be a prostaglandin gel (basically, pig semen).  I would try the EPO for about a week.  This is, of course, assuming that you are having contractions.  If the contractions stop, then let that baby cook as long as possible!  You can still take the EPO orally starting at 36 weeks, to promote a soft cervix for when labor does come.  You can purchase EPO at most any health food store, or vitamin store.

Again, that's evening primrose oil, NOT castor oil.  Castor oil is something you should only try as a last resort, and only under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

Edited by Italiamom - 3/2/11 at 1:52pm

[no5no5]

I would not recommend castor oil at 36 weeks, especially if you are already in extreme discomfort.  From what I've read, it often makes women more uncomfortable without actually speeding up labor.  I agree with Italiamom that sex is a great, natural, and safe way to soften your cervix and/or trigger labor, so long as your water has not broken. 

Other than that, if you are at 36 weeks (and are sure of your dates), I don't think there's much that you can do that would be safe and effective, especially if your doctor thinks it would be a mistake to induce at this point.  If you are in a great deal of pain, I think it makes sense to go and talk to your doctor again and go over your options.  

[~Adorkable~]

Yes please focus on ripening your cervix not making your contractions and harder, no contraction will work without your cervix ready, it will just send you down a path to trouble.

EPO can be taken in very high amounts, some ladies and midwives will get a Instead brand mensrtal cup from the grocery store and stick 8-10 capsules in it and insert it at night so that the oil stays right at the cervix, my midwife swears by that to open cervixs up.

Yes and sex.

You might also ask about your babies position, it might be that he or she is not down low putting any pressure on your cervix in urging it to open, possibly working on position might help.

In the end I would do what you can to stay comfy, maybe test our hot baths and the like so calming the contractions.