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| Now, I'm looking for the best way to take castor oil, as she is really thinking about taking it on Easter before the (pit) induction. I know it has to be taken on a full stomach, but that is the extent of my knowledge. |
Actually I don't think a full stomach matters much, but I don't have firsthand knowledg either. I tell my clients that they have to consider where they are already (sounds like she's already making some progress), and how they'll feel if it doesn't work, before I offer ANY suggestions like this. But here are a few things she can do to help:
The thing I would definitely encourage her to do most (if she were my sister, and not my client) is Evening Primrose Oil. Three capsules vaginally @ night, 3 capsules orally in the morning. This will help her cervix to soften even more than it is.
The castor oil sounds like a reasonable option at this point but definitely address with her the risk of having loads of diarrhea and vomiting and nothing else happening.
It's a real possibility. She does not want to go into labor dehydrated, it would make it that much tougher for her. So start slowly, and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. She can mix 2oz with some scrambled eggs, or with a shot of orange juice, wait a few hours and do another shot. But it is a laxative! So expect some.. well.. side effects.
I would be glad to email you the document I give my clients- send me an email: doula at dynamicdoula dot com.
Can I ask on the medical reason for the induction? Maybe we can offer some other types of suggestions?
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| Also, her OB said they shouldn't have to do cervadil, and my sister has downright refused cytotec. So it looks like she is going to have pit. She was wondering what that will be like. She knows it will probably hurt like hell, but will she need to be on her back for monitoring? Is there any wiggle room? |
Okay here are some things to know and consider:
- With any type of medical induction she will be on the monitors continuously. This does not mean she has to be in the bed, nor should she be. She may have to advocate strongly for herself here, but it is important that she not start her labor in the bed. Try a birth ball (bring one if you have to), or the rocking chair- or even sitting fully upright in the bed if there is no other choice- anything but *laying down*. It will be a little less convenient for the nurses and they might get pushy about it but encourage her to stand her ground. Laying down in labor leads to slower, more painful, more complicated labor!
- Change positions every 30-45 minutes as you can. Go from side lying to sitting up, from the ball to the rocking chair, from dangling between dad's legs to the ball, etc. Just keep that body moving.
- The toilet is a wonderful place to labor and no one will mess with her in there. She will relax her pelvic floor automatically, she can pee or dribble fluid or poo or whatever she needs to do without worry, and it's private, dark, just like most laboring women want it. Encourage her to "pee" (as in, whether she actually needs to or not) as often as possible.
- She is in charge. She has the right to move, get out of bed, even eat, etc. if she chooses to. Keep in mind that the medical staff has your safety in mind but they also have their other patients, their schedules, their routines, etc. in mind too. Don't be afraid to ask for what you want, and to push sometimes. As long as there isn't an emergency, make that space her own and take advantage of everything she can.
- Bring food, bring your favorite drinks- throwing up in labor isn't fun but it's a lot better to have some calories on board than to starve, and it's a lot better to barf up chicken noodle soup than dry heave. Don't be afraid of puking in labor- it's your friend!
- Do the best you can. Encourage her to do the next best thing she can do- we aren't robots who can plug into an outlet when our batteries get low and function at full capacity. She's going to get tired and she will be in pain- these things can change your judgment about things that you feel strongly about when you're not hungry, tired, in pain. Be forgiving of yourself and do the best you can.
- Consider asking the doctor to turn the pitocin down, or off all together once a labor pattern is established. This is not usually done. She will have to probably really advocate for this but there's no reason to run Pitocin, be stuck on monitors, etc., if her labor is doing fine on its own!
She will know what to do- encourage her to trust herself to make the right decision at the time, and tell her that you trust her to, as well. There isn't any wrong choices, only the best one you have available to you!
Good luck, please feel free to email me if I can be of any other assistance!
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Did want to ditto though that pit does not have to equal in bed and certainly not on your back. I probably was in bed quite a bit after I was on the iv but I was not on my back at all and that was 13 years ago. I know they have better advances in monitoring now. With DD I was monitored for the brief time I was at the hospital though I did not have an iv and I was in and out of the bed and all around. It's really up to her though she may really have to push the issue. Good luck to her.
and I'm sure it is nice for her to hear it from someone else.
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), but it turned out that he was a brow presentation--hence the long, painful labor, and the lack of success while pushing. She is being d/c-ed tomorrow from the hospital, and despite the outcome, feels very empowered from her choices.
I will let her know that she has been asked about 
