Early Labor Signs.... or a MeanTrick! - Page 10

[GoddessKristie]

TreeRose,  Let's keep believing that, then! I'm reassured by what your midwife said about the movement. It makes little sense to me that a baby wouldn't respond to being squeezed in SOME way. 

About the stillbirth rise: It sounds really scary, but when my OB first mentioned that they would want to induce after 42 weeks I went straight to the medical journals to see if there was reason to be afraid. What I discovered is that after 42 weeks the rate of stillbirth does nearly double, BUT that rate is still really really low. Between 37 and 40 weeks the rate is 3-4 births in a thousand and after 42 weeks the rate is 6-7 births in a thousand. That's barely more than half a percent. It's a numbers game, but it sounds like you're well monitored. 

For me, this number is low enough that I would be comfortable going to 43 weeks (with careful monitoring) before agreeing to induction, as I'm trying for a VBAC and any kind of induction is dangerous for me.

My source:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0515/p1935.html

Due tomorrow. Hoping it's a magical day!

[yippiehippie]

Treerose-it's sooo your turn! Come on baby!!

On a positive note for everyone, I didn't really have much "signs"before my birthing started. I felt kinda yuk the day before and I did "feel" it would be soon, there was more pressure too, maybe? But then woke to the waves and then they just got stronger so fast! So ya never know!

I did do a couple moves to make sure everything was aligned and well, some on the spinningbabies site, they're safe to do and might work out any "kinks" the baby has coming down!

And, oh yes those babies can move while in labor! Lots of them change positions even and I felt a few strong movements. You just don't pay as much attention to them b/c you have other things on your mind, lol!

good luck!

[TreeRose]

Thank you all so much. I really need the support. I really appreciate the research too. I feel a lot better but have been crying a lot! I just hate the pressure. It's all around me and of course inside me too. Am I the latest of the group? I feel very isolated and lonely on pregnancy island and I am so grateful for this forum. I know it could all chane in a moment but util that moment I second guess every contraction and stretch.

Wishing you all the best.

[GreenRose]

TreeRose you're not last.. I'm 41+3 ... Having good and very bad moments. So frustrating even when you have a supportive family/midwife ... I think I'm going to do castor oil tomorrow. Just feeling so defeated.

[countingmore]

TreeRose, we are here for you. I will share with you that I am an emotional wreck lately too. I cry over the simplest things and words. We are very tired, and our hormones are holding us hostage and never once did they ask for our consent to ravage our emotions and mental state! How rude.

There is a light at the end of this pregnancy tunnel. Your baby will be here soon and you'll be so happy to have forgotten what happened today. You are beautiful and you need to remember that stress causes slow starts and even stops to normal progression, so mom, do your best to relax and stay as calm as you can possibly muster. I know it's a very hard thing to do, especially at this point in pregnancy, but we are all here for support and to remind you that you matter!!

[slimkins]

Originally Posted by TreeRose 

Thank you all so much. I really need the support. I really appreciate the research too. I feel a lot better but have been crying a lot! I just hate the pressure. It's all around me and of course inside me too. Am I the latest of the group? I feel very isolated and lonely on pregnancy island and I am so grateful for this forum. I know it could all chane in a moment but util that moment I second guess every contraction and stretch.
Wishing you all the best.

I'm still here with you. Same EDD. :(

And the way I feel about what your midwife told you is a little different. I know it is hard to hear, but I think she did the right thing by telling you. How can you make an informed decision without all the knowledge. She wouldn't have been fair to you had she not told you. The statistics are true, but exactly like GoddessKristie said, still very small numbers. My midwife recommends doing the biophysical at 42 weeks, but I think I am going to opt for it at 41 1/2 just to be on the safe side. We'll see, I am still not decided.

I'm sorry you are so emotional, I totally feel ya. It's like every day I go through at least one of the stages of grief. This morning I was mad when I woke up. But the day did get better, even though I still am not having labor signs.

Hugs, we'll get there one day, too.

[GoddessKristie]

Originally Posted by yippiehippie 

Treerose-it's sooo your turn! Come on baby!!

On a positive note for everyone, I didn't really have much "signs"before my birthing started. I felt kinda yuk the day before and I did "feel" it would be soon, there was more pressure too, maybe? But then woke to the waves and then they just got stronger so fast! So ya never know!

I did do a couple moves to make sure everything was aligned and well, some on the spinningbabies site, they're safe to do and might work out any "kinks" the baby has coming down!

And, oh yes those babies can move while in labor! Lots of them change positions even and I felt a few strong movements. You just don't pay as much attention to them b/c you have other things on your mind, lol!

good luck!

Glad to know that babe will still move when I'm in labor, this one is strong and despite measuring weeks ahead, I'm a smaller person, so baby is pretty crammed in there and those kicks and stretches are strong! Hard to ignore, even in a contraction lol

After reading this I went over to the spinning babies website and it says that it's common for labor to start and stop on its own if babe isn't in position yet or engaged well. I found that interesting, especially since I've been a start/stopper for several days now, never getting into good solid contractions. I'm going to do some of the moves on there and see if they will help baby get engaged and in a good position. 

I've been living on my ball this afternoon/evening, working my  hips and bouncing and trying to get baby to move down there. I also ate a horrible volcano burrito from Taco Bell with 3 or 4 packs of fire hot sauce on it. I thought that might give me two chances to get labor started. Once when it's spicy food I've eaten and once when it's diarrhea LOL!

Still going to add in those spinning babies moves and see if that helps, too. 

Originally Posted by TreeRose 

Thank you all so much. I really need the support. I really appreciate the research too. I feel a lot better but have been crying a lot! I just hate the pressure. It's all around me and of course inside me too. Am I the latest of the group? I feel very isolated and lonely on pregnancy island and I am so grateful for this forum. I know it could all chane in a moment but util that moment I second guess every contraction and stretch.
Wishing you all the best.

We are here for you TreeRose! I'm not even overdue yet and I'm doing the same thing, every contraction, every stretch I'm hoping will turn into a birth. If this baby doesn't come tomorrow I'll be unbearable. 

[TreeRose]

Thank you all again. Gosh I'm glad I checked in before I went to bed. I feel so not alone suddenly and appreciate it. I'll check out the SpinningBabies site in the morning. Tonight I wrote a letter to my baby and DH and I both spoke to baby about coming. I think he worries when he discovers me emotional. Everything was going great until the last few weeks filled w mean tricks!! I definitely appreciate all the kindness and concern and commiseration. thank you all so much.

[jul511riv]

I'm w/u. this is hard. (((hugs)))

[slimkins]

I just lost my mucus plug, used the bathroom twice, and don't want any coffee cause it doesn't sound good and I'm a little crampy. Hope something comes of it......... and not next week.

[GoddessKristie]

Originally Posted by slimkins 

I just lost my mucus plug, used the bathroom twice, and don't want any coffee cause it doesn't sound good and I'm a little crampy. Hope something comes of it......... and not next week.

Yay!! Maybe you're next! Was there any blood? Today's my due date, so I'm just hoping SOMEONE goes today!

[countingmore]

YAY Slimkins!!! Come on baby!! :) Make your mama proud and have a beautiful labor and delivery mama :)

[slimkins]

Originally Posted by GoddessKristie 

Yay!! Maybe you're next! Was there any blood? Today's my due date, so I'm just hoping SOMEONE goes today!

No, and no bloody show just yet, either. I did get my membranes swept on Monday. Been loosing little amounts, but this morning was the entire, giant, red/brown chunk of it in the toilet. Now, I'm really hoping to see some bloody show some time today. And I hope this is the loss of the plug that happens within maybe 2 days of labor. That really isn't too much to ask........

Not officially getting my hopes up, though.

[1blueheron]

Originally Posted by slimkins 

No, and no bloody show just yet, either. I did get my membranes swept on Monday. Been loosing little amounts, but this morning was the entire, giant, red/brown chunk of it in the toilet. Now, I'm really hoping to see some bloody show some time today. And I hope this is the loss of the plug that happens within maybe 2 days of labor. That really isn't too much to ask........

Not officially getting my hopes up, though.

Hope it's tonight for you, slimkins!  And you too treerose!

[GoddessKristie]

Originally Posted by slimkins 

No, and no bloody show just yet, either. I did get my membranes swept on Monday. Been loosing little amounts, but this morning was the entire, giant, red/brown chunk of it in the toilet. Now, I'm really hoping to see some bloody show some time today. And I hope this is the loss of the plug that happens within maybe 2 days of labor. That really isn't too much to ask........

Not officially getting my hopes up, though.

Labor dust!  I hope something's kicking in!

I'm off to my 40w appointment. Hoping for some dilation after all those contractions! 

[TreeRose]

Slimkins - I am so hopeful for you!

I had some strong contractions today, but I remind myself, that's not much different than every other day. I had a strange sensation of perhaps losing mucus but last pregnancy I lost it twice and decided it wasn't a reliable indicator (for me). ;-)

I have been going to the bathroom a lot yesterday and today. It's either nerves, hormones, food or baby.

I checked out the Spinning Babies website and resumed my pelvic tilts and want to get the ball out of the attic - but I'll have to wait for DH.

I bought another pineapple today too. I tell people I'm willing to do the enjoyable stuff like food and sex but not the castor oil etc. :) Not yet anyway. I may get desperate. Or should I say more desperate? I already feel so stuck here in this almost-labor place. Like I've been here for a month, which I have. I have most of my contractions while sitting or standing up but then laying down they fizzle out. I'm tempted to sit up all night and see if they progress but then I'll be tired if I do go into active labor! Why oh why can't this just unfold naturally and quickly!????!

Does anyone know anything about meconium in the womb? My cousin was late and her u/s showed that the baby was big, her amniotic fluid was fine but there was meconium. She was induced the next day unsuccessfully and then had a c-section. I know it's more common for a mature baby 41.5 weeks + to have a bowel movement so I'm wondering what the hazards are for that? I mean, does it hurt the baby? If that happens, are you / am I / is someone destined for a c-section? I didn't know those details of her labor until today - helpful stuff to fret worry and think about right? ;-) Anyway, you've all been so helpful I thought I'd throw it out there.

Meanwhile I find something new to clean each day, scrub, wash, vacuum... hope it pays off and I have a nice clean house when the family comes.

Also, can anyone point me to the exercises on Spinning Babies that specifically address helping the baby engage? I have been all over the site and am happy with some of the exercises I've found, but didn't find anything specific to engaging - just a list of things, but no instructions. Thanks!

[GoddessKristie]

Just got back from my appointment. I was <1cm dilated and 60% effaced. That's not a lot, but it's better than last week, so at least these contractions are doing something for me! I think the Spinning Babies things I did last night helped. He said baby's nice and low, but not fully engaged yet, so I'm going to keep going with those tonight and then see if I can get DH to help me with some of the things they list and then a nice long walk followed by a romp and maybe this baby will come tonight yet! I have had a few ctx already this afternoon, so I'm hopeful that I can help it come on!

TreeRose, Here is the link to the things I was doing last night: http://spinningbabies.com/more-info/in-labor/helping-baby-engage-in-labor

Sadly, I wasn't getting enough regular contractions to do the abdominal lifts.

I'm hoping I can get DH to do one of these diaphragmatic releases on me tonight. He's nervous about all that stuff, even pushing gently on my belly to feel the baby's position makes him nervous, so I may have some convincing to do! http://www.naturalchildbirth.org/natural/resources/labor/labor29.htm

Here's part of what I was going on:

Quote:

A long early labor for a first time mom or a VBAC mom may indicate a need for engagement.  A long early labor sometimes means that this baby needs to rotate some more before fitting into the brim of the pelvis.

  Is baby engaged? Has baby dropped? Read the article on chin tucking for more information on how to help your baby get into the pelvis so that labor can progress.

From that chin tucking article I have been doing a lot of hip circling-dancing, on the ball, just standing around-and some pelvic rocking. Tonight I'm going to add in some inversions and see if that helps. 

I really really really want this baby to come before Monday. That's when they set my NST and U/S. I really don't want to have those! Baby moved a lot last night and went from ROA to being anterior, dead center. It's still straight up and down right now, so I feel like that's helped some at least. I may have a bit more work to do, though!

[1blueheron]

Originally Posted by TreeRose 
Does anyone know anything about meconium in the womb? My cousin was late and her u/s showed that the baby was big, her amniotic fluid was fine but there was meconium. She was induced the next day unsuccessfully and then had a c-section. I know it's more common for a mature baby 41.5 weeks + to have a bowel movement so I'm wondering what the hazards are for that? I mean, does it hurt the baby? If that happens, are you / am I / is someone destined for a c-section? I didn't know those details of her labor until today - helpful stuff to fret worry and think about right? ;-) Anyway, you've all been so helpful I thought I'd throw it out there.

I don't know a lot about it, but DS (just born at 41w5d) had no meconium in the water.  DD (41w) had very light mec.  Both uncomplicated deliveries.  How would they see it in an u/s?? I thought usually they couldn't tell until your water breaks...?

[TreeRose]

Who knows? I was shocked to hear her say that was the reasoning and of course I take that as something else to worry about. Sigh. My water was broken for me at 42+1 and there was no meconium either... so? And when the midwife did my u/s Tuesday to look at fluid levels, she never mentioned meconium. Strange. Sometimes I think some medical facilities will say anything to speed things along. :-/

[TreeRose]

Originally Posted by GoddessKristie 

Just got back from my appointment. I was <1cm dilated and 60% effaced. That's not a lot, but it's better than last week, so at least these contractions are doing something for me! I think the Spinning Babies things I did last night helped. He said baby's nice and low, but not fully engaged yet, so I'm going to keep going with those tonight and then see if I can get DH to help me with some of the things they list and then a nice long walk followed by a romp and maybe this baby will come tonight yet! I have had a few ctx already this afternoon, so I'm hopeful that I can help it come on!

TreeRose, Here is the link to the things I was doing last night: http://spinningbabies.com/more-info/in-labor/helping-baby-engage-in-labor

Sadly, I wasn't getting enough regular contractions to do the abdominal lifts.

I'm hoping I can get DH to do one of these diaphragmatic releases on me tonight. He's nervous about all that stuff, even pushing gently on my belly to feel the baby's position makes him nervous, so I may have some convincing to do! http://www.naturalchildbirth.org/natural/resources/labor/labor29.htm

Here's part of what I was going on:

From that chin tucking article I have been doing a lot of hip circling-dancing, on the ball, just standing around-and some pelvic rocking. Tonight I'm going to add in some inversions and see if that helps. 

I really really really want this baby to come before Monday. That's when they set my NST and U/S. I really don't want to have those! Baby moved a lot last night and went from ROA to being anterior, dead center. It's still straight up and down right now, so I feel like that's helped some at least. I may have a bit more work to do, though!

Congrats on your progress and thanks for the lins. Got the ball out tonight and spending more time sitting up straight or doing circles. Praying this takes it's course naturally.