Suggestions to Bring on Labor?

[Ianthe]

Today is my EDD! What can I do to get things going? I KNOW that my EDD cannot be more than 3 days off. (I know what day this babe could have been conceived, because there was only ONE day it could have happened, and I had 2 very early u/s's at 5 weeks and then at 6 weeks.)

At my appt yesterday I am still only 1 cm and about 80% effaced. I've been taking EPO since week 36, I am up to 3000 mg daily and occasionally have been insterting them vaginally. My m/w gave me the OK to take castor oil, but I REALLY don't want to. I could go for a walk... what else? sex has done nothing either!

[amyleigh33]

Sorry, I don't have any tips for ya it seems like you know all that I do--hopefully some others will be able to help ya out. I was just wondering if you calculated your EDD based on a 28-day cycle, or based on a more accurate cycle (if 28-days is not accurate for you)? Cause I know we always read about how most women go a week or two over their EDD, and I can't help but wonder what percentage of that is because their EDD was calculated based on a 28-day cycle that they do not actually have... KWIM?

Good luck and hang in there. I'm not due for another week and I am sooo uncomfortable and unbelievably anxious to meet this baby, I bet you just can't wait either!!

[Ianthe]

My cycle was on average 28 days. Sometimes a little earlier and sometimes a little later.

I did read somewhere that 40 weeks is an under-estimate of gestation and on average first babies came a week later or so.

[sarabrynn82]

How about nipple stimulation? My mw has me using a breast pump twice a day for 30 minutes (well... so far I'm only finding time and energy for once, but I'm working on it) I'm only 37 weeks, so it hasn't sent me over the edge yet, but I definitely notice an increase in BH strength and regularity after I do it...

[chrissy]

acupuncture is very helpful in bringing on labor, but i'd still wait a while on that.

most babies- especially first babies- come closer to 42 weeks than 41. i know how tortuous these last few days and weeks are though.

for now, i'd try more sex (including orgasms) and as much walking as you can handle.

it'll be soon!!

[amyleigh33]

ack, sounds like you got your EDD as dead on as you're going to then. hang in there!!!

Originally Posted by chrissy

most babies- especially first babies- come closer to 42 weeks than 41. i know how tortuous these last few days and weeks are though.

42 weeks?! and I thought 41 was going to be torturous! will jumping up and down help?

[Munchkimo]

If you don't have any reason to try and get things going other than the fact that today is your due date, I would just hang in there a while longer.

With my son, I tried nipple stimulation at 5 days past my due date because my family was scheduled to go on vacation soon. I thought it was an old wives tale and that it wouldn't work. Well, it worked, but only well enough to give me contraction that were painful enough to keep me from sleeping for three days but not strong enough to help me dilate. Ultimately I wished I'd just let my body do it's thing when it was ready. I could have used those three days to rest up.

[PapayaMom]

yeah I have also read that 40w is an underestimate. I know it isn't what you want to hear. I wasn't what I wanted to hear either. DD #1 was 8 days late and it was a loooooong 8 days, ask DH i was a miserable wreck.

It sounds as though you are doing all the "right" things little man is just comfy in there I guess. Try to do some other things that you won't be able to do for a while. Go out for a nice dinner, see a movie enjoy your time with DH it will all be so different in a matter of days. I know it doesn't take the edge off what you are feeling but sometimes a distraction is good too.

Also you can rub the pressur epoints there is one about four fingers up from the inside of your ankle, you will know you hit it as it is a little more tender than the rest of the area, and the webbing in between your thumb and forefinger, these are both supposed to help with effacement dialation and contractions.

Good luck and hang in there.

[Ilana]

We treat EDDs like expiry dates here but it's just a number based on an average. It does NOT mean the baby is ready! In France your EDD is 42weeks from your LMP. Food for thought...

ILANA

[Eaglevoice]

I think the average for first time mamas in 10 days past your edd, I went 15 with dd. I'm past due this time, too. It's hard becuase you're just so consumed with thoughts of baby and labor. But really the best thing is to just wait it out and let your baby come naturally. It's the baby that releases the hormones which tell your body to start labor. So baby knows best when he/she is ready to come out.