I need to go into labour fast or I'll have a c-section!

[Heavenly]

I almost died of pre-eclampsia with my son and he was born by emerg c-section at 34 weeks. With my daughter I didn't have problems but she was a failed VBAC at 39 weeks. I am now showing lots of signs of pre-eclampsia again. I am 36 weeks and if it progresses I will have to have another c-section. I have very supportive midwives but I do not take pre-e lightly and they can't induce me after 2 c-sections so if the baby has to be born before my due date (which is very likely due to the pre-e signs) then I would have to have a c-section. I would still really like a VBAC so I want to try and get things going now. I am going to ask my midwives to strip my membranes next Thursday when I'll be 37 weeks and hope it hasn't progressed to full-blown pre-e by that point. My cervix is 1 cm dilated and very soft and baby has already dropped. I know someone who hasn't read this carefully is going to automatically jump and say let your body go into labour when its ready and don't try and induce but that isn't a choice. If I get full-blown pre-e I have to be delivered immediately or I could die. I went from healthy to seizures in 10 days with my son so I know how deadly this condition can be. So is there anything else I can do other than getting them to strip my membranes? I am going to insert EPO capsules starting tomorrow night (I am doing a 24 hr urine catch until tomorrow morning so I can't do it tonight). Sex is not an option as I have very bad SPD. I don't know about nipple stim because I have heard it can cause unnaturally hard contractions like pitocin does which obviously is not an option for being a VBA2C. Help!

[dlm194]

When I was 9 days overdue and being threatened with induction, I got a prenatal massage that morning. I started having contractions during the massage! I had contractions all day. At 8pm, I had reflexology done. The reflexologist paid special attention to the points that affect the uterus. Sure enough, I was in full blown labor within a couple hours. I arrived at the hospital at 4am with contractions 3 minutes apart. Unfortunately, my midwife didn't feel my contractions were strong enough to deliver the baby do she hooked me up to pitocin, gave me an epidural and I had a c-s. However, if I were faced with your situation, I would try the reflexology again in a minute. It's worth a shot to try to avoid a c-s.

Best of luck to you! I hope this baby is a successful vbac!

[alegna]

Okay- work to keep the pre-e off too- keep protein intake HIGH high high. Take care of yourself.

In your shoes I'd try some nipple stim. If it feels too strong- back off.

Spicy food?

Um, deposit sperm there in another manner? Up for any kind of orgasm? That would help too. Um, some claim that the good labor starters in sperm work when taken orally too...

good luck!

-Angela

[Peppamint]

Now- please verify that these are okay with possible pre-e, but I have heard a lot of mamas mention homeopathic cohoshes as working well. Of course since they are homeopathic they are more gentle than the herbs and might help. I wouldn't recommend it for those final "when is this baby coming" but in your case I can understand your concerns.

Best wishes and labor !

[Breathless Wonder]

It is my understanding that swallowing prostglandins, as well as inserting them vaginally can stimulate labor.

[USAmma]

Have sex and use Evening Primrose Oil as a lubricant. Both together should help soften things up. Squat a lot, too, especially right after sex.

[Smithie]

I am not a midwife, this is not medical advice.

That said - the cohoshes did start my labor, I just picked a dosage off the internet and used it. I had homepathic blue cohosh and black cohosh tincture. If you could get the advice of an actual herbalist or homeopath, that would be fabulous. Reflexology also made me contract, although it didn't start the the labor.

I believe that there is a suggested link between cohosh induction and increased uterine rupture, but I think that if I were you, I might take that risk if my other choice is a c-section. Is this your last planned pg? That might factor into my decision as well, whether or not I had future plans for my uterus.

I am so sorry you are in this situation, mama. I'll be thinking of you.

[MamaTaraX]

No ideas, just lots of {{{labor vibes}} I asked for labor vibes on Sunday and had a baby on Sunday night, if its any consequence GOod luck!!!

Namaste, Tara

[Satori]

Who says you gotta have sex to get the sperm in there? Have DH make a deposit in a cup and use a kids medicine syringe (5ml) to suck it up and gently insert it and deposit the goods. You can have an orgasm to help things along via other means if you want. I'll be watching for replies since I may be in the same situation come May/June.

[jeanine123]

How about an accupuncturist?

[rozzie'sma]

I read on Laura Shanley's bornfree site that the prostaglandins in sperm are A LOT more powerful if taken orally. They are suppossed to soften the cervix and such. Something like 4 times more powerful, I think. I also heard fresh lavender can start labor, and try the massage. I know the inside of the ankle is suppossed to trigger cntrx. By the way we have the same first name, but I use a u. Sending labor vibes your way.

[be11ydancer]

Wouldn't swallowing the sperm also help with protein intake???

[pamamidwife]

Originally Posted by be11ydancer

Wouldn't swallowing the sperm also help with protein intake???

according to my ex, it's good for all things from headaches to nasty cramps.

[applejuice]

Originally Posted by pamamidwife

according to my ex, it's good for all things from headaches to nasty cramps.

The panacea for all ills!

:

[ColoradoMama]

Okay, now ya'll are just cracking me up!

I second the acupunturist idea! Good luck! I'm sending lots of good vibes your way!