Well, I've got one week

[Googy]

I just got back from (another) appointment--I've got one week one way or another to get this baby out. They will induce me (with pitocin and maybe a foley cath) on Friday the 30th if I haven't had the baby by then (I will be 42 weeks and 2 days).

I am so frustrated because although I am almost completely effaced, I am only dialated a centimeter and the baby has not fully descended. No progress at all from last week. I'm less upset about the dialation than the station--why won't the baby descend??? Does anyone know what could cause this???

She stripped my membranes, and we are trying EPO, cumin tea, etc. (stuff I was hesitant to try before) to try to encourage labor naturally. I have another appointment on Tuesday and I will have her strip me again if I haven't had the baby by them. I don't know what else to do.

I am upset because I am feeling like my body has failed me three times now. I lost my first baby, my second couldn't turn and I had to have a c-section, and now here I am with my third...I have been working so hard to have a natural VBAC, and my body doesn't seem to be cooperating. I am terrified of a pit induction (especially since my Bishop score stinks right now) and really don't want a repeat section, but I feel like my choices are getting more and more limited...

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Unless there is evidence that the baby is in distress why not just refuse induction? I know many mom's here choose to just let nature take its course without intervention as long as the baby is having no issues.

[Googy]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X

Unless there is evidence that the baby is in distress why not just refuse induction? I know many mom's here choose to just let nature take its course without intervention as long as the baby is having no issues.

Because I'm trying for a VBAC, and results for VBAC babies after 42 weeks are statistically very poor.

[chrysalis]

i have never heard of this. i would NOT do pit though...you really risk u/r if you induce/augment w/ a VBAC. i wish ob's and mw's would at least go to 43 wx. i really think its a conspiracy and only to cover their asses.

hang in there........trust that your baby will come this week.......my mw says more often than not we 2nd time mamas don't dilate til labor begins...i am not dilated either, and although soft as butter i'm not much effaced...

also, you could also 'accidentally miss' your appt on friday... giving you a little more time...then call on monday and reschedule...? what are they gonna do, drop you as a patient and leave you stranded? don't think so...just an idea...that is what i would do. as long as everything else has been looking fine, go for it mama. try to relax and talk with baby.

[Curlita]

Hang in there. You never know when labor will start. I'll be thinking of you and hoping your labor starts soon.

[renaissanceed]

I'm sorry to hear you are heading this way. My understanding is that it is pretty common for second or later babes not to descent until labour begins though.

Hoping to hear you go into labour in the next week.

[Lizzie9984]

Originally Posted by chrysalis

i have never heard of this. i would NOT do pit though...you really risk u/r if you induce/augment w/ a VBAC.

That's my understanding, too. I'm 42 weeks 1 day and damn sure not going to be induced PERIOD at this stage, the cons FAR outweigh the pros at this point. (I had an emergency C in the past)

[melissakc]

You could try listening to the Baby Come Out CD by Hypnobabies. You can buy it online. I listened to the Baby Stay In CD to get to 37 weeks this time and it worked. I just listened to it every night as I was falling asleep.

Talking to your baby helps a lot too. Mine did everything I asked her to do.

Good luck and lots of hugs!

[chrysalis]

Originally Posted by Lizzie9984

That's my understanding, too. I'm 42 weeks 1 day and damn sure not going to be induced PERIOD at this stage, the cons FAR outweigh the pros at this point. (I had an emergency C in the past)

lizzie, are you w/ a mw or ob? what are you going to do when they start talking induction/augmentation??? (btw, i notice your name is my name...well my family calls me lissie and also is that your dob? i am a virgo too. only a tad older than you...: i was born in 70)

hang in there googy and other mamas! we can have our VBACS!!! don't let the caregivers tell you when its past our ability to do this!

[Kontessa]

:::

It sounds like you have come to terms with a possible induction after having looked at the numbers in your case for VBAC. It sounds like a hard choice, but one you have made so I will not ask you to look at going 43 weeks as those numbers are not ones you are ok with. I get that. We each have to make that line in the sand some place. I respect yours. You have gotten this far and are a wonderful mama.

I hope baby comes for you. I remember racing the "water breaking" clock and making my line, against mid-wife and it seems most everyone. I did it though and wow was it hard. Going to 42 weeks and 2 days is pushing it for a VBAC for many as well.

Such hard choices and they do not get better when baby is here but at least we can SEE our little ones to then make choices for them. You will do this, it has to be ok.

Wishing you love, light, and peace.

Blessings,
Kimmy

[Barcino]

I understand the feeling that your body fails you. I would try for sure to keep positive and totally visualize that this baby is coming out tomorrow. Seriously. Do anything you can and try to really be positive. Chances are you are going to go into labor before then. Are they doing stress tests?
Hope this baby comes out really soon! (((HUGS)))

[GearGirl]

A week is a long time, I really think you will go into labor on your own by then!

[dcgrl]

Googy,
have you tried squatting to encourage the baby to descend? I have good luck squatting with the help of my birth ball. Also, sitting on the ball and circling your hips. Acupuncture?

hoping that little one moves on down pretty soon...

[wwisdomskr]

[GinaRae]

wow, I am so sorry you're going thru this stress. I can see why you would be desperate to start labor! Any news? Has the stripping worked???

[monocyte]

ugh, hugs...

So freaking frustrating, I'm sure.

No real advice, just lots of cyber support...

(ok, can you get some pineapples?? I SWEAR that's what helped me this time...)

[*Lindsey*]

[Momma Aimee]

try acupuncture -- started labor for me twice

try castor iol -- not not not as bad as every one acts like

a

[Googy]

Thanks so much to everyone who has sent their support and warm wishes!

I think I lost some of my mucous plug today, and I have been having a lot of contractions, though nothing too strong or regular. I'm rocking my RRL and cumin tea, taking EPO, and working out on our elliptical machine trying to get labor going. DH is too freaked about DTD now that I've lost some of my plug--he saw the bloody mucous and that was way too much for him...

I have another appointment on Tuesday and I'm hoping if I've at least made a lot of progress (if she drops more or I dialate more) and we both still look good maybe I can argue for a little more time, or maybe at this rate she'll come on her own this week.

Its just really frustrating because I've been working SOOOO hard for a natural, unmedicated VBAC. I've been doing everything "right," and I really want it to pay off, you know? However, I don't want to endanger my baby just to get the labor that I want. I'm trying to find that balance, which is hard because its such an emotional issue for me (See previous post about my body failing me in pregnancy). I've been doing lots and lots of research and am trying to make the best decisions I can.

Hurry baby, COME OUT!!!

[GooeyRN]

Loosing your plug is a good sign! It means you dilated atleast a little more! I really hope you go into labor soon!!!!!