Homebirth & due dates

[mamabbbg?]

Hi, I'm still "new" to MDC and am not sure if I'm posting right, but I'll give it a try.
I'm due (today). This is #5, but my 1st homebirth. My others were all postdates (but only my 2nd-5 weeks past my dates and 20 days past US dates-was really "post-term" at birth). The others ranged from 8-22 days post dates.
My question is this: I know babies come when ready don't want to have to go to the hosp just b/c of dates. These days everyone is way more concerned with dates (my first was born 17 yrs ago when it was 'normal' for moms to go 2 weeks over).
I'm walking, drinking RRL tea, trying to avoid tension & get enough rest
(neither so easy to do these days) not to mention getting all the 'stimulation' and natural prostiglandins I can :-)
I know there are other things to try but from what I've read, even 'natural' induction methods can be harmful.
Any suggestions or ideas?

[MamanFrancaise]

Have you tried accupucture/pressure?

http://www.nycacupuncture.com/glpreg.html - You can do this yourself or have your partner do it. I would avoid castor oil... are you under a midwife/doctor's care? What about blue/black cohosh?

[mamabbbg?]

Thanks for the link Erika!
I've read about the pressure points for labor, but wasn't really sure what to do to help get ready for labor. It's great that it can be done at home too. I have a wonderful midwife, but still want to avoid some of the 'natural induction' techniques like membrane stripping, castor oil...etc. I asked her what things we might do by 41 weeks and she mentioned the blue (or black) cohosh. Have you used either? If so, what was the fresult?
Thanks for your help:-)
Kim

[mamabbbg?]

Forgot to add this part.
The reason I'm asking is b/c she also mentioned that after my next appt (41 wks) we can schedule a BPP. I really wanted to avoid that type of testing and needless worry if everything is going well. I've been having tons of BH's, this baby is in good position (OA compared with my OP babes) and lower in the pelvis than my others were .....so I thought I'd maybe have a labor closer to my est date.

[MamanFrancaise]

I haven't used either.. but I'm sure if you did a search for it on this site you'd find a wealth of information.

I wouldn't worry too much though... with the full moon this week you may find that baby in your arms before the end of the week. LOL

[mamabbbg?]

Thanks! I sure hope so.
And best of luck to you as I see you'll soon be blessed with a new baby too!

[Marieke]

Evening primrose oil always gets mentioned in relation to helping the cervix ripen.

Other stories involve eggplant parmigiano, or spicy or garlic laden foods. But I think that for every person that swears by that food kicking off their labour, there's someone for whom it didn't work



Marieke

[nfpmom]

speaking of acupuncture...

I'm getting acupuncture today. I'll LYK how my experience goes...
take care

[mamabbbg?]

Please let me know!
Thanks.

[mamabbbg?]

I bought EPO at the health food store last night. I'm not sure if I'll try it though. It's 1300mg and I think I should've got 500mg. Besides, I do want to talk to my mw about it too. I'm going to try a long walk with the dog, dh and kiddos and see if that works. And hopefully later tonight we'll see if DH can come up w/ any more creative ideas...he's such a sport...LOL!

[mamabbbg?]

Thanks!