2 membrane sweeps, OB talking induction on monday..

[2bpeaceful]

Hi, first time posting but have been lurking for months.
I'm 39.5 wks, 2cm dialated, and 50% effaced. I've had my membranes swept twice. The second time was yesterday at 10 am. I felt a tiny "pop", had lots of rusty-colored blood and minimal cramping...and today feel just as labor-ready as I did at 20 weeks..meaning nothing. OB says that the baby is head down but still "high and floating". He suggested starting cervadil and "medication" one day after my 5/21 due date but I've managed to put him off until week 41. I'll be doing a NST on 5/22 and probably another sweep.

I know the baby will come when she's ready. I'm hoping to hear from those of you out there who have had similar measurements, similar experiences, delivered with or without cervadil...I just need some support.

My doula is recommending accupuncture and castor oil before cervadil...I'm already using EPO vaginally/orally, walking like crazy, and dh is putting in his prostaglandin contribution .

anyone out there care to comment/share?

[lacysmommy]

Is this your first baby? Because if so, the average first pregnancy lasts 41 weeks and 1 day. It is not dangerous for you to reach 42 weeks, or even 43 weeks under medical supervision. The risk of c-secion is so great with an induction especially for a FTM that I would do whatever I could to avoid it.

[2bpeaceful]

Yes, it's my first baby. I don't want to induce but my OB started making noises about "complications" once I get into the 1 to 2 week post-date time period. I live in NJ and the C-section rate here is around 40%. My OB "knows" that I don't want an epidural, C, etc., but he IS an OB...

I was hoping that the sweeps would get things started. I"m concerned that her head is big and that's why she hasn't engaged yet. Does that make sense?

[truelife]

I am exactly where you are! I'm due the 20th, 2 cm dilated, and 50% effaced!!! I went for a massage on Monday night and requested reflexology on my feet and it brought on two really strong contractions, but then I had her switch to my back - I needed to drive home.

Your doula should know about the pressure points everywhere to help induce. There's one between your thumb and pointer finger (push real hard on the web), there's another one four finger widths above your ankle on the inside of your shin, you can try sucking your thumb pressing your thumb hard against the top of your mouth, and there are a ton all over the bottom of your feet. Do a Google search and I'm sure you'll find a lot more.

I have no problem getting my cervix to go - it's the contractions that I struggle with. With my son I did the homeopathic remedy of blue and black cohosh and when I was ready the contractions really picked up.

Hope some of this helps!!! Good Luck!

[goosysmom]

Hey mama..

If it hasn't worked it's not going to....at least according to my mw...3 times is her limit for doing it...LOL...the last time she did it she said she could feel dd hair and said there was LOTS....lol..and that she was right there, all ready.....just stubborn.

I had mine swept 3 times and the last 2 times were at 5 and 6cm and 90% (my mw didn't want to induce induce, just wanted to try to get things moving along naturally since I had been at 5 adn 6cm for almost 3 weeks) but dd wasn't ready.....I was 10 days overdue and in alot of pain bc she was posterier and no amt of anything was getting her to turn.....

I eventually was induced for other reasons with very little pit, it's all it took to get things moving and then she took the pit away and away we went.....

Back labor hurt and dd was an ounce shy of 9 pounds.....a full 2.5 pounds bigger than any baby ever on either side of the family.....and way bigger than estimated....so there was no way I could've gone longer.....at least for me...

I've heard mixed things from many many friends about castor oil but that's ultimatly up to you and your MW>..

Wishes and hugs for a safe, smooth labor mama....

[KBinSATX]

This is kind of confusing to me. Why would they be concerned about you being late when you haven't even reached the 40 week mark, much less 42.

My MWs will send me for a NST if I go past week 42. I don't see why anybody would want to get you going artificially at week 39? Are you having health problems or something?

[2bpeaceful]

No health problems. I think I'm seeing first hand the difference between birthing with an OB and with a MW. He is one of the most hands-off OBs around, but that due date is super important to him (not me) and again, I live in NJ, land of scheduled C's, inductions, etc.

[provocativa]

It's not even your due date yet? Your ob is being ridiculous, it's not called an estimated due date for nothing. He's not hands off if he's sweeping your membranes- that's hands in.

[ice_chick]

Jumping in from July, but just had to say do not let them induce. I had my first 3 kids in NJ & with #2 OB wanted to induce & lucky for me my water broke before they had a chance & I went into labor on my own. I also ended up with a c/s for #3. NJ is not the best state for birthing babes. Do not let them induce you since then your chances for a c/s will go way up & the contractions will be so much stronger that you may find it hard to go without pain meds which will definitely lead to more interventions. This is your body. Do not let them induce. You have every right to say no. There is nothing wrong with going past your due date. Most first time mothers do go past their due date. There is no reason to be talking about inducing before you have even reached your due date. It will happen when the baby is ready & if you induce beforehand, there will most likely be complications. Good luck.

[Trishy]

Post dates is after 42 weeks, not after your due date. With my last pg I stopped going to prenatals once I got to term so I didn't even have to hear the induction pressures. It doesn't sound like your baby is ready to be born yet and from the sound of the birth climate in your area I would wait as long as possible to go to the hospital once labor actually started. Rest up and don't worry, you still have a while to go.

[KatSG]

You've received great feedback from PP's. Just stick to your guns, he can't make you do anything you don't want to do. Keep your days busy so you don't obsess about the date.

Also, know that in France, they calculate your due date to 42 weeks (have a good friend there from my dd's DDC on another site). So the fact that US OB's are so fixated on 40 weeks is just silly and arbitrary.

Your baby will come when it's ready. Promise!!