very frustrating appointment today

[FuzzyOne]

well, i am 41 weeks today and i had a midwife appointment. my dh wasn't able to come today because he is in training, so i had to be in charge of ds (no easy task right now - he is really into exploring, etc.). he HATES the doppler machine - the one where they detect the heartbeat. for some reason it completely terrifies him. well, i completely forgot that i was supposed to have an NST (non stress test) today. as soon as they hooked up that machine of course it started making all the sounds that ds hates - he completely melted down. i am sitting there laying on my back hooked up and he is melting down. so he comes to sit with me on the table and has to lay right on top of me (so hugely uncomfortable). that lasts about three minutes before he knocks the sensors off and proceeds to meltdown again. we all realize that the situation isn't working. so, the midwife comes back and does a quick cervix check - i have made NO PROGRESS. in fact, after having my membranes stripped last week i was dilated to 2 and now i am 1.5 - i have actually reversed in progress. and this is after two nights in a row of contractions. last night's were more painful than the night before. i felt for sure that i had made progress. she offered to strip my membranes again, but i declined right then because i was so dang tense and i knew it would just be too much. so, i go back this afternoon to have the NST done and to also have my membranes stripped. i really really hope this helps - i don't want to keep that hospital date that is looming over my head. i am going to be devastated if i don't get my VBAC because of my body not going into labor i am really starting to stress over this and i know that isn't helpful at all.

i am trying so hard to naturally induce this labor - sex, evening primrose oil, RRL tea, walking. i am starting to wonder about castor oil - i don't really want to do that, but as i draw closer to may 15, i am starting to wonder. does anyone know anything about black cohosh? any other suggestions?

[momto l&a]

I wouldn't do the cohoshs. My old mw said that if I choose to use them she would like to know she she could monitor the babies heart.

I used castor oil and loved it, would gladly use it again.



I have pasted my due date my mw said she isnt comfortable with mothers going over 42 weeks

I just have 4 more days till dh gets all his overtime then I can have the baby

[FuzzyOne]

Originally Posted by momto l&a

I have pasted my due date my mw said she isnt comfortable with mothers going over 42 weeks

this is exactly my problem - i won't be allowed to go past 42 weeks. but, i also can't be induced because my first pregnancy was a c-section. i feel so helpless in this situation. if i make it to may 15, they will try a foley balloon in my cervix to dilate it and break my water. but, if that doesn't work, it's off to surgery again i just can't express how badly i don't want surgery again. i am afraid of it but also, we really want more than two children and i don't think i can keep putting myself through surgery. i have to somehow not focus on the possibilities of surgery and focus on getting myself in labor.

i think i will talk to the midwife today about castor oil. i can't believe i am even thinking about that. but then again, i also never thought i would let someone strip my membranes. dh keeps reminding me that six days really is a long time in this situation (days to may 15) but it really doesn't feel like it right now.

[kdtmom2be]

My midwife gave me castor oil partway through my marathon labour last week in a strange concoction that actually didn't taste too bad. If you'd like the recipe I can dig it up if I can find it and post it here. It did help labour kick into high(er) gear but we knew that my body was already ready and working.

[FuzzyOne]

Originally Posted by kdtmom2be

My midwife gave me castor oil partway through my marathon labour last week in a strange concoction that actually didn't taste too bad. If you'd like the recipe I can dig it up if I can find it and post it here. It did help labour kick into high(er) gear but we knew that my body was already ready and working.

i would definitely like the recipe - thanks!

[momto l&a]

Mix castor oil into OJ or rootbeer.

I personally prefer drinking the castor oil then chasing down with OJ or rootbeer.

[NaturalMommaof3+1]

Awww! You Mommas are real TROOPERS!!! Hang in there! You have done such a wonderful job.

Have you tried a warm epson salt bath? Or how about reflexology, accupressure or the chiropractor? These things can all help to stimulate labor.
GL, we are thinking of you and sending ((((((((pain-free labor vibes)))))))))

[JanB]

Have you tried nipple stimulation? If you have access to a breast pump, I might give that a try. I did 15 minutes per side for about an hour total, the night before I went into labor with my son.

[chrissy]

BIG hugs your way mama!! Is acupuncture an option for you at all? It is very successful in getting labor going.

[cjanelles]

Originally Posted by NaturalMommaof3+1

Awww! You Mommas are real TROOPERS!!! Hang in there! You have done such a wonderful job.

Have you tried a warm epson salt bath? Or how about reflexology, accupressure or the chiropractor? These things can all help to stimulate labor.
GL, we are thinking of you and sending ((((((((pain-free labor vibes)))))))))

Epsom salt bath???

I've not heard of this stimulating labor. How's it work?

[Liquesce]

I don't have any advice, but did at least want to chime in with some positive labor vibes ... six days may not seem like long, but just focus on the fact that even zero dilation can turn into full on labor in virtually no time at all.

[mum4boys]

Hamg in there. big hugs

[rosie_plus_one]

I tried castor oil last Wednesday actually and it really got the contractions going, but they did fizzle out after about 8 hours. I think if I had continued walking, etc. I probably would have progressed.

I just mixed a TB of the oil in a bit of grapefruit juice and swallowed as quickly as possible. You may want to suck on some ice cubes after to get some of the oil residue out of your mouth. Some people take more than a TB at a time, but I didn't want to hurt myself. I did another dose after about an hour. I actually didn't have much bathroom action - just one good poop and that was it. Last pregnancy I had diarrhea for quite a while when I tried the castor oil.

[stacey0402]

Originally Posted by momto l&a

I personally prefer drinking the castor oil then chasing down with OJ or rootbeer.

that's what I did...I took the castor oil straight and immediately chased it with OJ. I'd do it again if I felt the need. I went into labor 4 hours later

[NaturalMommaof3+1]

The epson salts help to draw things down, plus they relax the muscles in your body and help you to have a better sleep and labor is more likely to start when you are at your most relaxed state, from my experience.

[Willzmama]

So do you just pour some epsom salts into a warm bath and soak awhile? Thanks for the tip. Not that I'm in need yet!

[darsmama]

Sounds very frustrating.
Personally I am very leery of castor oil and I have a few stories to tell but you know what - there are positive stories out there too, so pay attention to those.
I like blue / black cohosh homeopathics, breast pumps, walking, and sex to get things going.

[Sunflower223]

Hang in there mama, the stress definately won't help. I know a lot of people who used castor oil, only one person I know used it without it working. I haven't used it I was lucky last time and went into labor on my own right at 40 weeks after getting my membranes stripped once and doing some nipple stimulation that evening.

Good Luck!

[kdtmom2be]

Originally Posted by FuzzyOne

i would definitely like the recipe - thanks!

K, DH says it was

2c apricot nectar
2c water
2tbs castor oil
2tbs almond butter
5-8 drops lemon-something oil

I'll have to find the sheet to get the actual lemon-oil, but i don't think it was particularily important.