Need Advice *Update*

[shelley4]

as you guys might know, i've had some pretty horrible morning sickness through out this entire pregnancy. it's so bad that i've actually thrown out my back/pinched a nerve several times, just from the force of barfing. super fun, huh. luckily, i have an awesome chiro who has always been able to fix me up. unfortunately, he left on friday for a 2 week trip to india. he has left another chiro to sort of cover for him while he's gone, but he's only in the office a few hours a week (where as i was able to get emergency, late night appointments with regular chiro if necessary).

so last night, i had some major barfing again, totally hurt my back, with no chiro relief in sight until later this week. i finally got to sleep (thanks to gravol to stop the barfing), but i am left so completely exhausted and dehydrated. i woke up in the night with some contrax, but i'm not sure if they were really painful b-h's (due to dehydration?), or real, early labour contrax that just didn't go anywhere.

so i have a midwife appointment tomorrow, (i'll be 38 wks 5 days), and i'm debating on whether i should ask her to strip my membranes. i did this with my DD, and she was born within 24 hours. i just really don't think i'm going to stop barfing until the baby comes out. my midwives have said for the last few weeks that the baby's head is quite low, so i'm hoping that between that and stripping my membranes, labour can start.

i don't know what to do, it's still early, and when i'm not barfing, i feel great. i just don't think i can keep barfing and hurting my back and everything for another 2-4 weeks. i'm scared of going into labour with my back hurting like that, or hurting my back in labour.. the spot where it hurts is right between my shoulder blades, so even if i did go to the hosp. and get the epi, it wouldn't touch my back pain (we are planning a drug free home birth, like last time).

what do you think i should do? tough it out for a while longer, or get my membranes stripped?

[marisa]

I'm so sorry that you're dealing with that!! It sounds absolutely miserable!!!

I don't know many midwives who would strip membranes that early, and unfortunately, if your body isn't ready - it won't do anything and you'll still have to tough it out.

I really hope you find some relief soon!

[mommybytheWord]

I know a ton of mama's would not agree but... I would ask to be stripped. I HATE puking and if I were doing so till my back was out I would do ANYTHING to put a end to it! If your baby is not ready than you will not go into labor. It worked for me once but not the other two times.

Man I feel so bad for you! I hope your LONG road is soon to be over and you can enjoy the baby in your arms. Hang in there! I'll be praying for you this morning!

[aylaanne]

Personally, I'd go for the strip.

[GinaRae]

Honestly, I would ask to be stripped too. And try the other induction methods we have in a sticky here on the DDC. Good luck, mama, you sound just miserable!!

[sorteep]

can you go to another local chiro in your area??? I would , esp since it is mid back (easier to manage and less "delicate" than some low backs or necks)... many hugs... OH I would maybe get a nudge, barfing is horrible, often worse than the back pain.. hope you feel better soon

[HarperRose]

Have you been diagnosed w/ Hyperemesis Gravidarum? The meds you named, the forceful puking, and the constant nausea made me think HG. (I get it, too. I absolutely understand!!!!)

Ask for the strip. In your situation it is completely understandable.

[shelley4]

i'm not sure about the hyperemesis.. the thing is, when i'm puking, it's bad... BUT, it's not like i'm puking all day, or even everyday. it's more like every 2-3 days, and in between, i feel absolutely fabulous. like now, (other than being awake at 2:30 am!!), i feel great, like i could keep doing this for another week, or two.

but then i go back to barfing, and i feel awful. i'm thinking i'll ask my midwife to check me today, and if i'm dialating at all, even if it's just a cm or 2, then i'll go ahead and get my membranes stripped. but if i'm still all hard and closed up, then i'll give it at least a few more days. i'm not a big fan of trying to induce early (in normal circumstances), but i really want to stop the barfing! i just don't know how i would handle labour if i did start up after a round of throwing up and hurting my back.

i am looking into finding another chiro in my area, but it might be hard to find someone who will take a 39ish week PG woman, sight unseen, especially when i really want someone who would be willing to do the odd evening emergency visit. but i'm pulling out the phone book today!!

[aylaanne]

The puking could DEFINITELY send you into labor, so I hope you find yourself a chiro. If your cervix isn't open, and even if it is, you may want to start a round of Evening Primrose Oil, either orally or vaginally or both, to try and get it going. Many brands are made with gelatin, but I've heard of some that are vegan-friendly (I'm not vegan, so I didn't really pay attention). good luck, mama! KUP!

[shelley4]

Update

went to the midwife today. my cervix is still high, but it was 1 cm, soft and stretchy. she agreed that ending the barfing was in my best interests, so we went ahead with the stretch and sweep. baby's head is still quite low, so hopefully we'll have some contrax action in the next day or two. if nothing happens, we'll do it again next monday.

so for the rest of today, i'm going to be spending alot of time on my birth ball, and then try to get as good of a sleep as possible, and go for a nice long walk tomorrow.

[GinaRae]

Sounds like a plan, mama! Keep us posted.