Stalling labor

[Goldiemom]

I have been having interminent contractions for the last 18 hours. I can tell that the baby is posterior, and if she is anything like her older sister she probably has a hand or foot up by her face... *sigh* This of course would make contractions somewhat painful but not all that effective. I have been trying to do the hands and knees position to get her to flip OA or LOA so that the contractions will start working better. I am also guessing that will help my body establish a regular pattern instead of contracting hard enough to wake me up once every 30 minutes or so.

I am also going to try sitting on my birth ball to see if that won't help open up my pelvis so that she can come down on my cervix better. Is there anything else that you all would recommend?

On a big plus side I now have everything that I will need for my UC I realized that I didn't have a bowl for my placenta or pads for after baby. So I got that taken care of this morning while trying to get labor going by walking.

Say, what are some good snack ideas? I am thinking I might stock up on a few more things so I can munch a bit during labor. I already have some yogurt nutragrain bars.

Wish me luck on getting baby earthside safely and soon.

[Willzmama]

Wow, this sounds like my labor with DS! I remember my doula suggesting that I do a modified child's pose (yoga), and spend time on all fours, like you're doing. And try to REST!

Snacks...I keep thinking chilled fruit would be great - organic strawberries, grapes, melon balls. I hope to have that stuff handy when it's my time.

Hang in there!

[crittersmom]

i'm munching on some strawberry newtons right now, they are great.I also had stocked up on chocolate pudding and jello last time even though I didn't have time to eat it.
Can't wait to hear your birth story!ELV vibes to you!

[Goldiemom]

Oh, pudding would be nice..... wonder why I didn't of that? I think I might have dh get me some pineapple too. I have heard that can help with labor if your body is ready.

This prodromal labor stuff is new to me, so I am praying for patience, and trusting that she will get where she needs to be when she needs to be there.

I will be posting updates.

[emiLy]

Why "and soon?" Just because you are having prodromal labor? How far along are you?

I hit Target today for some pads myself, and got some Balance protein nutrition bars. They were a $1 each - expensive!! - but have tons of stuff in them. I hope they don't taste like cardboard. LOL Sometimes I don't feel like eating, but I know I need to get protein into my body so I wanted to have a few of these around, also for right after delivery I know I'll be STARVING. I'm going to have some hard boiled eggs ready too I hope.

I was eyeing the plastic picnic-y buckets at Target for the placenta, but I am not planning on keeping mine around very long, so I'm just going to let it plop out wherever, do a quick inspection and wrap it in a chux pad if I need/want to move it.

[Goldiemom]

Oh, I am 37 wks 2 days right now. This is about the time my babies tend to come. Contracting every 4-5 minutes or so, so things are moving along though still managable. I can still talk through them.

I need to eat though, so off to snack.

[kdtmom2be]

Originally Posted by Willzmama

Snacks...I keep thinking chilled fruit would be great - organic strawberries, grapes, melon balls. I hope to have that stuff handy when it's my time.

I agree. Why can I NOT find a watermelon at this time of year!! I SO want a watermelon to snack on during labour!!!!:

[Doula Gina]

You could try resting in a tub (if you have a birth tub, this might be a good use for it!) laying on your side and try to sleep, or if you have a big enough one, put a pillow on one end and rest your head on it while you float, belly-down. This will be easier on your wrists and knees.

Also, if you are sick of regular hands and knees, elevate the birth ball (on a bed or couch) and lean on it. Put your knees down on the padded surface of the bed or couch, and rest your face on the ball and let your arms fall where they may. If you have couch cushions that can be removed or a whole ton of supportive pillows, you can make a nest shape on the floor and rest with your belly in the hole. Any of these will help your body (and especially the muscles that can constrict the lower uterine segment and keep a baby from turning to anterior) to RELAX and LET GO. If you wake up and feel refreshed, labor might be ready to go then, and you can feel better about it. Back labor blows. BTDT twice (and not with wee little dinky babies).

I'll be thinking of you tonight!

[Synchro246]

I didn't see this yesterday. . .I hope things are going well. . . I wanted to add that while you are in one of those positions sometimes an ice pack on the sacrum for a while can be enough to make the baby move, IYKWIM.

My guess is you don't need that tip now though

Thinking of you. . .