Anyone facing induction? (Signing Off, here we go!)

[CityChic]

Ladies I am signing off to spend this wonderful day with DH! Thank you so much for all your thoughts and encouragement, I could not feel this peaceful without the words that each of you ladies bring!!! Have a beautiful week!

~Rachael

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I really, really, really do not want to be induced...especially with our first.

I will be 42 weeks on Monday. Baby is doing good according to my Non Stress Test today and we did an ultrasound for amniotic fluid, looks great.

However, I have been having ctx on and off since Wednesday. They are about 7 minutes apart and are mild to medium. I had a vaginal examine today (yikes!) and my cervix is very long and not soft at all.

I am trying to focus on the good, a healthy baby. Its just so hard.

My midwife wants me to report to the hospital (aghhhh, I am supposed to go to the birthing center) on Sunday nite for Cervidil. If that works off to the birthing center, if not she wants to talk pitocin.

I am seriously thinking about leaving the hospital after the Cervidil if nothing has happened. If this baby isn't ready, he isn't ready.

My mom and my sister both had c-sect. because they never dilated or effaced on their own...I really don't want that to be me...

Thanks for listening ladies...I finally felt like I had a little om and now I am not feeling it at all! AGHHHHH!!!

[chayo]

Hey CityChic,

I am also facing the possibility of induction. I know how you feel. My induction is scheduled 10 days after my EDD of April 16th, on April 26th. So I am trying everything to get things going....the teas, the oils, the exercises, etc. I hope the best for you.

[Amari's Mama]

Rachael - First off... how sure are you of your EDD? Do you know the date of ovulation are are calculating from there or are you going my LMP? Going by the date of ovulation, if known, might give you more time if you can convince your MW. Second... big hugs to you!! 38-42 weeks is AVERAGE... meaning that there are some mamas that fall outside that range. As long as things are healthy, I would still try for waiting and natural. Depending on where you live, your MW may not be allowed to care for you after 42 weeks, though... something to consider.

[CityChic]

Originally Posted by chayo

Hey CityChic,

I am also facing the possibility of induction. I know how you feel. My induction is scheduled 10 days after my EDD of April 16th, on April 26th. So I am trying everything to get things going....the teas, the oils, the exercises, etc. I hope the best for you.

I'm trying everything too. We were all really hoping that EPO would soften me up...not yet but I am still hoping.

Originally Posted by Amari's Mama

Rachael - First off... how sure are you of your EDD? Do you know the date of ovulation are are calculating from there or are you going my LMP? As long as things are healthy, I would still try for waiting and natural. Depending on where you live, your MW may not be allowed to care for you after 42 weeks, though... something to consider.

99% sure of my O date so we should be pretty close!

I didn't think about our state laws and treatment, that may be why indeed! Thanks for that thought!

[SashaBear]

Me! But we are going to try sweeping the membranes, then if necessary breaking my water before we hit pitocin. I haven't had a vaginal exam so if I get through the weekend then we'll do an exam on Monday and sweep the membranes. I'll be 41w2d on Monday. Dates are right on!

I picked up some evening primrose oil pills, castor oil, and black cohosh today to start trying. I inserted a epo pill just a bit ago and I'll do another tonight. Not sure when and if I'll try the other two.

[MommytoTwo]

I went realyl late with DD so I am paranoid about it, and I asked my mw what would happen at 42w and she said she has had really good luck with cottonroot bark... I did some research on it but never really read much on MDC about it... but you could look into it maybe. Also if you are facing chemical induction maybe you could get your membranes swept a couple times over teh weekend?

[CityChic]

Thanks for the thoughts ladies...I am on it!

[Bkwyrm]

I'm scheduled for an indution on the 26th if the baby doesn't decide to come on her own. I'd be happy to put it off, but there are medical concerns with letting her get much bigger than she is! I was due on the 17th, and about 99% sure of the date of ovulation.

[wisconsingirl]

HI! I'm from the May DDC and wanted to know if you've tried EPO to ripen your cervix? And I've used a small dose of castor oil to get my last two labors going so I recommend that just don't take too much. I think I used 2 tsps with 1/2 cup of OJ. That's way less then recommended but you don't want to end up with bowel issues! Have you tried nipple stimulation? You've got a couple days to get things moving. Also...sex...although at this point it sounds like more trouble than it's worth but sperm as protaglandins that can ripen your cervix too!

Just thought I'd throw some ideas at you!

Good luck!Pam

[Marcimama]

Two years ago at this time I was facing the EXACT same situation as you. I didn't want to be induced and I didn't want to give birth in the hospital (I wanted the birth center). They gave me the ultimatum too. I would DEMAND they try or you be allowed to try the following before ANY medical inducement:
Sweep membrains or cervical massage (this hurts, but I think it is what worked for me)
Accupucture (I haven't tried this, but will if I go over 41 weeks this time)
Castor oil
Break water

Perhaps trying all on the same day would help get you started? I would also take the castor oil during your "active" (when you normally have more Bh contrax) time of the day, for me that is early evening. I would stand your ground. They can't make you do any thing you don't want to do, you just may not be able to birth at the center, but that is better than being induced and end up with a section. Either way you would be at the hospital. Give it time and try not to fret. Hugs, I know how stressful that is!

Oh...with my 1st I decided that the next morning (before their ultimatum of being induced) that I would take castor oil. The night before that, I went into labor on my own. Thank goodness! Labor was good, and my baby was 8 lbs 1 oz and showed NO signs over being over due. She was just ready to come.

[CityChic]

I've been taking EPO for a little over a month. I have also been drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea twice a day. In addition I have had my membranes swept once and it didn't do anything.

I think you ladies are right though. I should really make sure they try EVERYTHING before drugs and IV's...aghhh!

[Anglyn]

Well Im 40wks3days and they arent pushing yet, but Im scheduled twice a week for the next two weeks for NST's and BPP's. Hopefully he will come by then, aftetr than, not sure if they will insist or not.

[CityChic]

Originally Posted by Anglyn

Well Im 40wks3days and they arent pushing yet, but Im scheduled twice a week for the next two weeks for NST's and BPP's. Hopefully he will come by then, aftetr than, not sure if they will insist or not.

Crossing my fingers and toes for you!! NST's are actually kind of fun ... DH likes watching the monitor

[roadfamily6now]

well I have never gone quite that long but personally as long as baby and I were fine, I would refuse any and all interventions. I would do some home remedies before anything.
Evening Primrose Oil, inserted vaginally
Red Raspberry leaf tea, drink 3 cups a day
Eat lots of fresh pineapple
Have sex often!
Nipple stimulation
Accupressure and massage
Walking, swimming.....stay active but light activies.......

[gardenmommy]

My second was 16 days late, by even my latest calculations. My midwife was really laid back, but did want to do an ultrasound and NST to check the condition of the baby/placenta/etc. I declined it all, knowing that she was ok (no scientific evidence to support that, I just *knew*, iykwim).

I did agree to let her sweep my membranes at my last appt., which was the 15th day postdates. My daughter was born the following morning. I am not one for unnecessary interventions, but at that point, I really felt that the baby and my body were ready. If I hadn't thought that, I wouldn't have consented. Also, I wouldn't have consented any earlier than that.

It's possible that your membranes were just swept too early to be effective. IMO, it's not really an effective way to initiate labor unless your body is already ready, or very close.

[myjulybabes]

Pardon me for butting in, but I just wanted to give my experience. With my last, I knew I was going to be induced early for pre-e, so I wanted to get my cervix ready to reduce my chances of a c-section. What worked for me was sex. Not a whole lot of fun at 36 wks pregnant and sick besides, but yeah. Act like you're ttc, and keep your rear end up in the air or on a pillow so the good stuff stays on your cervix. I went into full blown labor after just 1 dose of Cervadil, even though I was so early.

Best of luck to you, crossing my fingers the babe will be ready to come out soon!!!

[ipfree]

My heart is with all you laboring and wanting to get labor started. I went 42 weeks and waiting was interesting.

Sex worked for us, and also the day I got totally relaxed ... I started to have contractions and I was drinking lots of water. My MW said that drinking water kept the contractions coming ... and I also did the Evening Primrose Oil ... my water broke and labor started. I thank Heavens for our beautiful natural birth. I wish the same for you ladies.

Happy Labor ... may it be full of health and so much love. Nothing like meeting your baby for the first time!

[mclisa]

An induction can be what you make of it too. I just had one and I felt the whole experience to be very positive. I had excellent nurses who let me decide when I wanted to get in the tub, walk, move, etc. Yes, pitocin sucks. I won't lie to you, but if you end up being induced that day I just want you to know it isn't the end of the world. It can still have the same results that you want in the end: a beautiful baby of yours to hold.

[CityChic]

Originally Posted by mclisa

An induction can be what you make of it too. I just had one and I felt the whole experience to be very positive. I had excellent nurses who let me decide when I wanted to get in the tub, walk, move, etc. Yes, pitocin sucks. I won't lie to you, but if you end up being induced that day I just want you to know it isn't the end of the world. It can still have the same results that you want in the end: a beautiful baby of yours to hold.

Thank you! I think I really needed to hear this.

I have been walking today, went shopping and ran errands. I am not having more ctx but they are a bit stronger! Hopefully this is it!

[ladybug13]

(((Rachel)))

I'm really sorry your body is not cooperating! Sometimes induction is the best course of action to prevent things from going wrong. Our bodies are not machines and sometimes our bodies do not do what they're supposed to. At 42 weeks, your baby surely is ready and induction could very well be the safest route at this point. The risk of stillbirth, placental abruption and other complications rises greatly after 40 weeks. I know it's not the ideal birth experience but what's most important is getting your baby here safe and sound. I pray that you go into labor on your own this weekend! But, if not, I hope you do go forward with the induction and it is as pleasant and smooth as possible!

Sending you labor vibes.....