help prepping a friend for medically necessary induction

[hubris]

A friend of mine is almost 37 weeks pg and has just been diagnosed with cholestasis. It is in the best interest of the baby for him to be born sooner rather than later (really, I'm rather anti-induction but this is one time I can truly see the need) and her OB practice will probably induce mid-week next week - before 38 weeks, at any rate.

She has had two previous inductions, neither medically necessary, and had decided to have a midwife-assisted NCB, possibly waterbirth, this time around. So she has experience with induction but this is earlier than she's birthed before, and I want to help her prepare in order to make this process easier on her body and the baby.

I've suggested to her that she take EPO several times a day to help get her cervix as ripe as possible. What else would you suggest somebody try in order to prep them for a smooth induction?

[clintonhillmama]

semen is a great cervical ripener - so sex is it's medically appropriate. (i'm not familiar with cholestasis, so i don't know if it is....)

[bobandjess99]

As someone who went through the agony of the "to induce or not" cholestasis decision, i do understand. Honestly, if she has always went longer, and this induction is going to be earlier than all her previous deliveries, I'm just not sure anything at this point will "help" in any meaningful way. Perhaps you could have her look at options for inducing, like non-chemical vs. pitocin vs. cytotec, etc, and see if she can map out a plan that is best for her? Maybe she can re-evaluate her plan, and even though her birth might be induced, medicated, etc, she could just stick to some of her priorities re: aftre the birth, newborn procedures, etc. Talk to her docs about what sorts of things they might be wanting to do to the baby beyond normal newborn stuff and see what she might want to decline/delay/fight, etc.
I hope everything turns out okay.

[katsam]

I was induced for medical reasons too, and was able to do so by breaking my water and using an electric breast pump. My body was totally ready though, I was 42 weeks and one day. My midwife suggested this method though, and I was so happy it worked.

[channelofpeace]

I was induced for blood incompatibility and we used a foley catheter and breast pump. I never needed pit or anything chemical. Foley stretches and ripens the cervix and the breast pump started the contractions.