I feel like I'm doing something wrong

[Therese's Mommy]

So, here I sit, several days past my dd. Nothing is telling me this is going to happen anytime soon. I have lost my plug and I have cxns, but nothing too significant. This is my second and I was induced with my first before any labor started : so I have no idea how I labor. My mom came in a week ago to take care of our 2yo dd, but she has to leave on Sat It is going to be a hassle if she leaves before the baby comes, not to mention the fact that she will have been here over a week and a half and won't get to see the baby.

So, I feel like I must be doing something wrong. I know there are "natural" things that I could use that could possibly get labor going, but to me if they aren't things I would normally do they feel unnatural to me. I don't want to go into labor before I am supposed to, but I want to go into labor soon! Basically the things we are trying are sex, walking, and sitting on a birth ball.

I am really just looking for some support. Luckily, I am not terribly uncomfortable. I would say I am as comfortable as a 4'11" woman who is 40 wks+ pg can be. And now the weather has cooled down so I am not sweating 24/7.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Beth

[sleet76]

What you describe sounds so much like me with my last birth. My first was induced before my labor ever started, so I had no idea what to expect. I know we're all different, and each birth is different, but I'll tell you about my second birth.

I really didn't want to go too late and be induced the 2nd time around, and my mom was here to watch my DD, as well. I had been having off-and-on contractions for a few weeks, but nothing that seemed like "real" labor. I had been having cervical checks with my midwife, and I was encouraged that my contractions were making some changes to my cervix. I know it doesn't mean anything, but it was emotionally helpful to me at the time. At about 40w4d I started losing my mucus plug. A few days later, I went out with DH to a nice (spicy!) dinner, walked laps around the mall, and had sex. Granted, I had done all these things in the past and when I was due with my first, and nothing had happened. So, it must have just been time. At 4:00am I woke to a "pop" sound/feeling, and thought my water had broken. However, it hadn't broken, but right then "real" contractions started. They were more intense than the others I'd had, and kept on going until the baby was born at 1:30 that afternoon. 40w6d.

I am sure your body will get in gear soon. I know it is stressful and hard to be waiting!

[WhiteWax]

I have no advice but I really feel for you!! And I want you to know I'm RIGHT there with you!!!! I was induced the first time have been having ctx all month off and on that just pitter out into nothingness. I hope things kick into gear and work out smoothly for you!!!!

At the very least try to get some rest while you have your mom there!

[mm72873]

I was induced for my last as well before anything ever happened....I was 43 weeks when this happened......I fear going that far an nothing happening again....so

I have chosen to get acupuncture at 40 weeks to get labor going....I do not know much about acupuncture but they say it can send you into labor...

baby is already cooked....so I don't feel bad....I'd rather avoid the trouble that comes with another 42+ baby......last time I ended with a c-section as well....so late is not good for me...


Mir

[Therese's Mommy]

Thanks for the support. I am still hanging on. Today has been a not so good day. My mom informed me that there is no chance of her staying past her scheduled flight out as she doesn't have any extra medication Nothing and I mean, nothing, is happening. I have contractions on and off but nothing strong. It does seem that perhaps the baby is lower, but it is so hard to tell as I was already carrying the baby on my thighs. Dh, DD, and my mom went out to the grocery store and to lunch and I just couldn't bring myself to go out and face the world. I am at one of those points where I just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, like I truly believe this baby will never be born I know that is absurd, but that is where I am.

Beth

[willoLevin]

Originally Posted by Therese's Mommy

I am at one of those points where I just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, like I truly believe this baby will never be born I know that is absurd, but that is where I am.

So sorry you are so miserable.

I only hope that your misery is one of those impending labor signs. Jilian sounded just that way and took a couple of days hiatus from the DDC just before her baby came.

Sending birthing vibes to you, and good wishes.

--willo

[RachelS]

HI Beth!! Just wanted to drop in with your ddc/post and let you know that I am thinking about you!!! Hang in there! Best wishes! I hope you are having your baby right now!!!

[brittneyscott]

I understand your anxiety and the feeling that the baby may never actually come out. I've been having prelabor off and on for the last week or two. Yesterday and last night it was much worse... nausea, low dull backache that wouldn't go away, menstrual like cramps, pressure in my pelvis and tail bone. I thought I was in early stages of labor but once again I woke up pregnant. I hope it happens for you soon.

[Therese's Mommy]

Thanks again for all of the well wishes. The baby is still waiting, for what I don't know. Last night I had what I thought would be the beginning of labor. We tried to help things along by getting a good dose of oxytocin , but all that did was making my contractions go away : What is up with that? I have an appt at 9:50 tomorrow. I am hoping that the internal will get things moving. My mom is leaving in a little less than 48 hrs. How bad will it be if she is here for over 10 days and never get to see the baby? It is going to be hot here tomorrow, so I hope that I am hanging out in the hospital AC. I hope to have some good news soon!

Beth

[Therese's Mommy]

Alright, so I got both good and bad news at the dr today. The good (actually great!) news is that the baby looks great! The baby passed the NST right away and I had ample fluid (a big deal because I have a 2 vessel cord). My bp was also great. So, the baby and I are very healthy. Also, I still have absolutely no swelling, which is a blessing. Because everything checked out so well my dr did not even mention induction except to say that they can't let me go past 42 weeks. I was not upset to hear that. I understand that they have to set limits and 42wks doesn't seem bad to me.

The bad news is that I am not more than 2cm dialated and not at all effaced. Last week I was about 1.5cm. This even had a touch of good news as he said that my cervix is *very* soft (he actually said that a couple of times). The baby is at -1 which isn't too bad.

So my mom leaves in about 24hrs I feel bad that she is not going to see the baby.

I go to L&D at 8AM on Mon for an NST and fluid check and then to discuss things with the on call dr (who btw, is very midwife/natural minded). At that time they will induce if things have gone south or schedule me for an induction next Fri. I so hope that I go before Fri, especially because my friend, who is our labor support, is having a bridal shower at her house the next day! I have alot of hope because my cervix is soft. I guess it will do what it needs to do quickly once those contractions start.

Thanks for listening.

Beth

[RachelS]

Thank you for the update!
I am SO glad that everything looks so wonderful for your baby! Great fluid index and your bp is down!!

So sorry that your Mother has to leave and not see the baby! I can understand that is upsetting!

How are you doing?

Thinking about you!! My next door neighbor that is over due left with her bags to go to the hospital this afternoon.... I really hope that you are on your way as well!

[momtokay]

awww, thinking of you. i may be in your shoes in about 10 days. my first two were born by 38 weeks so my mom was coming from 38 weeks to 41 weeks. i'm 39.5 weeks now and no baby. i hope things continue to go well for you and baby and that little one is in your arms soon.

[workinmama]

I've heard some good things about accupressure. If you put pressure on the muscular tissue between the index finger and the thumb for 5 minutes on both hands. I've heard it can bring on labour within 12 hours. It's something to try before your mother goes home and it's not too invasive.

[Therese's Mommy]

Originally Posted by workinmama

I've heard some good things about accupressure. If you put pressure on the muscular tissue between the index finger and the thumb for 5 minutes on both hands. I've heard it can bring on labour within 12 hours. It's something to try before your mother goes home and it's not too invasive.

Thanks for the suggestion. She left Sat at about 5PM. She won't be here for the birth or to take care of dd. But I have spoken with dd's godparents and they are thrilled with the idea of watching her. Also, my mom will likely be in Baltimore in the early part of July. So, since we only live 3 hrs from there we will go down and meet her so that she can see the baby. And at the rate we are going the baby won't be very old

I have been having crampy contractions pretty consistently since 5PM last night. I haven't been timing them as they aren't so strong that I have to concentrate on them, also I was able to sleep with them. So, hopefully soon! I am 41wks1d. I have alot to be grateful for, as I switched OB practices in the middle of this pregnancy because dh and I were very unhappy with my old practice. They were out of control. One of the screwy things they did was to change my due date from 6/2 to 5/24 (because of a stupid u/s that I shouldn't have had, but had to because they tried to find the hb when I thought it was too early to try) and they won't let patients go past 41 weeks. So if I had stayed there I would have been induced on the 31st. I am 100% certain of my due date. We use NFP and it is clear when I ovulated and there is no way I ovulated over a week earlier. So, not only did my new practice stay with the correct due date, but they are ok with me going to 42wks. So, even though things didn't turn out as planned I am still really grateful.

Beth