41 weeks and "Cervix of Steel"

[GnarlyKarli]

Hi everyone! I don't post much on here but I am Looking for some advice and encouragement... I am now supposedly 41 weeks but still hoping for a VBAC and doctor says I have "cervix of steel." I know things can change fast but my doctor doesn't want me to go past 42 weeks and gave the choice of induction with balloon catheter and possibly a low dose of pitocin or a repeat c-section. I really want a vaginal birth so I schedules the induction for Tuesday. I am trying to be confident that my body will do everything it is suppose to but I am deathly afraid of having an emergency c-section if the induction doesn't work because I do not want to be put under. I am so scared of being put to sleep like that I am almost thinking of just scheduling the repeat c-section instead. I have been trying all the natural induction tricks like crazy. Walking, cleaning, swimming, spicy foods, Evening Primrose Oil, and sex.... Just wondering what others would do in my situation or any advice? Thanks so much in advance!

[dogwood chica]

I was in the same boat as you!  Actually, what finally got my cervix to have any change was acupuncture.  I know, sounds crazy, but i was willing to try anything.  I went to a naturopathic doctor who my midwife recommended, who was experienced in acupuncture to help induce labor.  Right before the appointment, my midwife couldn't even reach my cervix.  The day after, I was 2 cms dilated, 75% effaced and soft!  Unfortunately it was the day of my scheduled induction and I still ended up with an impatient doctor and an unnecessary cesarean.  But if I had done it sooner, and maybe had a second appointment, I think things may have been different! Just an idea, something to try.  Good luck! Being overdue can be stressful, but your duedate really is an approximation, and chances are, your baby is just laid back and wants to take its own sweet time!

[Ms. B. Sprout]

A failed induction does not equate to a crash section with general anesthesia. I had a failed induction followed by a section, and it was all very orderly and calm. I walked into the OR, got the epidural on the OR table, and it was all fine.

I'm not saying induction is good -- just saying if your fear is general anesthesia, you are probably in the clear.

I hope things go just the way you want them to. Going postdates really sucks. I'm sending you good labor vibes!

[womenswisdom]

Unless there is some sort of very rare complication that happens in the course of an induction, a c-section is NOT done with general anesthesia. You would get a spinal in the OR if you had not already had an epidural in place. So if that's your main worry, I'd let that one go

[Monkey Keeper]

I would try acupressure/acupuncture before your induction. As many sessions as you can schedule or afford! 

And ITA with the above posters--a failed induction does not equal general. You can still get a spinal in most cases and be 100% alert and aware. 

Good luck! My VBAC baby was born at 41+2 after massage, chiro, and acupuncture :)

[AlexisT]

Anesthesiologists don't like general for CS anymore. Either you or your baby need to be in danger of dying for it to come to that (where the time is so critical that they can't wait 10 minutes for a spinal to be done). That's really rare, and could happen in a spontaneous labor as well. The usual fear in failed induction is "failure to progress"--no one's in danger, they just don't think it's going to go anywhere. You'll go into the OR, they'll do a spinal, you'll be fine.

Also, even if you have an epidural placed, this doesn't reduce the chance of GA to zero because a denser block is used for surgery. The catheter is there, which saves time, but they need to wait for the extra meds to kick in. Really, your (very low!) odds of needing GA don't really depend on how you went into labor.

[roadfamily6now]

can you reschedule your induction for later in the week or even just past 42 weeks?  I agree, chiropractic care, acupressure, acupuncture, massage, etc.....

What is your bishops score? If it's not favorable, an induction is not going to work as well it at all?

[LisaSedai]

I hope all is going well with you. I've read that acupuncture/chiropractor can absolutely help labor happen. I don't like that the Dr is putting negative thoughts in your head about your cervix- it's utterly BS. You could be checked and be 0cm and deliver a baby that night or you could walk around at 4 cm for days before labor happens.Try not to dwell on your fears, being tense can inhibit labor b/c of the flight/fight response ( that's why other mammals go hide when they are about to give birth) Go see a movie that makes you bawl your eyes out or laugh until you pee.  Wishing you easy labor vibes.Good luck

[seili]

nipple stimulation

When I got to 40 weeks, 1 day- I tried this because I was scheduled for a RCS the next day and wanted to at least go into labor beforehand. And....it worked! Still got a RCS, but I really wasn't too opposed to that. Don't know if what I tried was the direct cause or if it was just serendipitious, but I'd try it again!

[BrusselSprouts]

41wks and I'm using this:

http://myherbalremedies.com/Homeopathy-to-Induce-Labor.html    and used the pulsatilla 1M dosage today after reading durther down this page

http://spinningbabies.com/spinning-babies-and/homeopathy

Thanks to the PP, I should get acupuncture asap!  :)