PLEASE help -- need advice FAST! (X-posted)

[Mama K]

I live in Houston and Tropical Storm Rita is forecasted to hit here -- as a hurricane -- by early Saturday morning. http://hurricane.accuweather.com/hur...imagetype=move I will be 39 weeks tomorrow and labor doesn't exactly seem iminent at this point. We live very, very close to the coast -- would definitely need to evacuate if it is a big storm, which they think it most likely will be, as our gulf waters have been very hot lately. My mother thinks I should ask my OB (who is very low-intervention, very natural-childbirth-friendly) to induce TODAY so that I can have the baby and we can evacuate later in the week. I really, really don't want an induction but really would be nervous about staying through a bad hurricane. What would you do? Please help -- I really need advice! I have an appointment at 10:00 this morning. Is there something else we could try? DH and I have been having sex, walking, pressure point massage, nipple stimulation, etc. without any noticeable effect.

[flapjack]

I'd evacuate now, to be honest. I think the adrenaline rushes of anticipating a hurricane or evacuation are probably going to inhibit anything you can do to get your labour going and make your labour much harder, and you may well just go overdue. Besides, it's easier to care for your baby inside than out, even at this point in pregnancy- imagine dealing with the first few days post-partum whilst having to evacuate your home.
Is there somewhere safe you can go? Any friends who'd be prepared to put you up? Find a back-up OB while you're away (your current one might even be able to recommend someone) and then just try and wait the storm out.
I'm so sorry you're going through this

[ZeldasMom]

When I lived in NC people would go to the hospital before a hurricane/tropical storm to try to get induced and they wouldn't do it.

I would try to do things to calm/relax/destress and even have a little fun if at all possibe. I think if you're stressed it is less likely you'll have your baby now. Hopefully you and your OB will be able to come up with a hurricane contingency plan that will help you feel better.

[mamabeth]

sorry you're having to deal with this. ITA with not getting induced and maybe trying to find a place where you could still have a natural birth if you went into labor. Induction is rough, doesn't always "work" (don't know if you've done if before, but I have) and IMO it's not worth it...but I know that it's a tough spot you're in. Take care mama and let us know what happens.

[allbrightmama]

You must be so stressed right now! I would keep up the things you are doing and if they don't get things started then baby isn't ready. I agree with pp that evacuating with baby still in your belly is the best of your lousy options.

I wish you the best! I will be thinking of you.