Anyone tempted to induce?

[kathik]

OK, I'm SERIOUSLY uncomfortable, getting weepy again and thinking this kid needs to come SOON. We're 41 weeks tomorrow.
Saw the OB today, still only 2 cm despite lots of contrax, back pain, pelvic pain & pressure. Thought for sure something was going on because I've been so sore down there! Ultrasound today looked good (whatever), NST scheduled for tomorrow (again, whatever). He'll let me go another week.
BUT I'm feeling like I might 'give in' and let him break my water. Am I just being a wuss?
I'm almost 100% certain my dates are right. And he's definitely big enough.
Opinions?

[AAK]

If I were you I would not go with the AROM. It automatically puts you on a schedule. If you feel the need to do "something" try having him strip your membranes. It worked for me last time. Went into labor that evening--I was 10days late and the threat of serious induction was in the air.

This time around, so far anyways, as much as I want this baby to come tonight I am not ready to do anything serious to push her along. I am taking a birth tincture (although not so regularly) and I had pineapple tonight (but because it was on sale, not for any labor inducing) and sex is fun. But I am not past date yet so the urge hasn't really struck.

Amy

[pinkmilk]

I'm waiting till Saturday then the going gets tough trying to put myself in labor! I'll be 39 weeks on Monday and the talk in the air is induction at 39 weeks for a diabetic mom!! It would seriously suck. I've never had to be induced and I really don't ever want to go down that road. Last baby I went to my 39 week appointment and the OB says "O.K. so meet at the hospital in the morning and we'll start the induction"!! I was like....uhhh NO!! So I made a deal with her...this was thursday, she could give me a cervical sweep and I would do everything in my power to bring on labor myself and if there was no baby by Mon. I would come in. Thank goodness it worked. It left me feeling crampy all afternoon, then I forced my poor dh to have sex with me(yes, I actually had to cry and slam a door!)(the combo of orgasm and sperm works well when your cervix has been tampered with that day). And within an hour I was in real labor!!
So I understand where you're coming from...just try a few natural things like sex, walking, pineapple, tinctures, and the not so invasive cervical sweep. I'd even try castor oil again (even though it made me sick and didn't even work last time) before I would consent to an induction. It's just so hard on your body and may be setting yourself up for a series of interventions durring labor.

Anyway K...goodluck with your baby coming naturally!!!
Love and Light. Angela

[kathik]

Thanks, ladies. I've already done the 'sweep' - second time was yesterday and I felt the 'pop'! Very weird. Appears to have done nothing except make me miserable last night.
My induction was a nightmare w/ DD... classic over-intervention leading to fetal (and maternal) distress. Maybe the baby senses my fear.
My dad and new stepmom are in town until Mon. so of course I'm getting pressure there. It'll be dad's first grandson & he's psyched. Stepmom has no kids so she's as clueless as dad, who keeps asking why we don't know when he's coming. AAAARGH :
Hope everyone's feeling good today!
k

[ashcox]

I'm not really tempted to induce, but I'm 42 weeks on Fri. and my Dr. is insisting on inducing me. I go see her today and I'm sure she'll tell me that we're inducing in the next couple of days. I so do not want to be induced, but I don't think she'll be happy letting me go any longer, I've really been pushing her to hold back on the induction. Also, she'll be out of town all next week and the Dr. on call I absolutely hate. He is a string of words that I don't use and you're welcome to use your imaginations. So... I feel I'm left with no choice but induce. I understand how you're feeling though-anxious to get the baby here. I too have been really weepy all of a sudden so I completely understand. Good luck!

[kathik]

AshCox, was your first overdue and/or induced?
I totally know better from reading Ina Mae, etc., but I can't shake the feeling that my body doesn't know what to do, that maybe my hormones are all screwed up or something.
Guess it's just hard to accept all the mystery surrounding this stuff, why things happen the way they do. I never realized what a control freak I am!
IF you are induced, make sure you know what everyone's doing to you every step of the way, esp. if you don't have a doula. But you're smart so I'm sure you'll be fine!
My fingers & toes are crossed for you!

[ashcox]

Yes, my first was induced. I was only 5 days overdue and I was stupid and ignorant at the time and didn't know better. They told me it would be just like if I went into labor on my own. And, from what I heard, I did have a pretty easy induction. But anyway, we were moving across state and had to be out of our apartment so we went ahead and induced so I could have my Dr. We ended up moving less than a week later. So, yeah, I feel the same way as you about the hormone thing. I realize, like you, that it's crazy. But here we are....

Just hang in there kathik. I'm sure your body knows exactly what to do. I know how tempting inductions sound, believe me, but try to wait it out a little longer if you can. Your baby probably just needs a little time. I feel like my baby is just about ready, but that he still needs a little longer, but I don't think my OB is going to give the little guy a whole lot longer.

Thank you for the good wishes. I have gone over and over with DH about what I do/don't want done this time. I don't have a doula so he's it.

Hope your precious baby comes soon, and on his own!

[coloradoalice]

Try the castor oil!!! It worked for me, the second time, and it wasn't bad at all!!! I did 2 oz in a orange slushy, and then 2 oz. a few hours later. It didn't break my waters or anything, just got contractions going.

Good luck!!

[MAMom]

Jumping in from the Feb due date club....

I am planning on having my acupuncturist do some labor-stimulating treatments at 40 weeks, and then a couple of days later. DS was born at 41w2d (though he was induced & not ready yet, but I had low amniotic fluid).

[kathik]

A tech told me I have 'more than enough' amnio fluid, to which I said "great." She says, 'well, not really, lots of fluid means longer labor & delivery.'
Thanks a lot, just what I wanted to hear (though I seriously doubt there's anything to that). This after getting the drift that she thinks I'm nuts for not having induced and being warned to 'call the doctor if there's any decrease in movement'. Even though his NST was also fine. Hospitals...

[ehsclt]

Kathik,

I was asking this same question a week ago and, because I would have lost my Birth Center birth at 42 weeks, I tried the homeopathic caullophylum at 41w5d. It is blue cohosh in the homeopathic form. My mw had suggested I try blue cohosh, but I didn't want to, since I was concerned that it would affect me like Pitocin did during my first labor. Anyway, the homeopathic remedy gave me good, regular, gentle contractions. In the end, I don't know whether it started my labor or I started my labor, but it certainly didn't hurt. I bought the remedy at Wild Oats and it would be available in the homeopathic section of any Whole Foods Market sort of place. If you want any more info, let me know and I'll provide it.

That having been said, I am NOT suggesting you do this. I definitely think not inducing in any way is preferable to inducing, unless baby or mom are in some sort of danger. Just wanted to add my two cents worth.

Hope your labor gets going on its own asap!

Emily