Doctor is going to induce on Tuesday...help!

[wearefour]

I have a blood condition that can cause stillbirth and the chances greatly increase after 37 weeks. I'll be 37 weeks on Tuesday & my OB has scheduled me for an induction that morning.

I'm super scared about being induced because with DS I had complications following the epi and am not a candidate for one this time. That means if I have to have an emergency c/s, I'll be put under general anesthesia and won't be awake for the birth

At my appt today I was only 1cm dilated. What can I do this weekend to try to help things get thinned and dilated before Tuesday so that my induction will go quicker and smoother?

Thanks for any suggestions...DH and I plan on DTD a lot this weekend but what else can I do?

[sarahn4639]

I'm so sorry. That is a difficult position to be in Get yourself to a accupuncturist TODAY! I'd try to find someone that would possibly see you this weekend and definately on Monday as well. This will help prepare your body and increase the likelyhood of a successful induction. I would also work your pressurepoints all weekend. Search pressure points and labor induction and you should get some good info (sorry, DD is ready for a nap and I need to get off the computer or I'd look for you). Also, I'd get some evenig primrose oil and take it by mouth and also vaginally. Someone should know how much, I don't. Best of luck! I hope everything goes as smoothly as possible!!

[Selesai]

Originally Posted by wearefour

I'm super scared about being induced because with DS I had complications following the epi and am not a candidate for one this time. That means if I have to have an emergency c/s, I'll be put under general anesthesia and won't be awake for the birth

What about a spinal?
Why don't you think about what you want to happen if you have to have a c-section, write it out, and give it to your DH. This may make you feel more in control.

[mamabutterfly]

Hi,

Sorry to hear you are in this position! Here are a couple of my thoughts from several years as a doula:
There are definately ways to help encourage the best possible outcome. Since this is a few days away, I guess it might be too late to find a birth doula or a woman friend who knows a lot about birth to come with you for encouragement and support? Not having an epidural can actually help your chances of getting through the induction with a vaginal birth, but a ton of support will really help with comfort measures and encouraging you that you can really do it and be okay.

One thing to do now if you haven't yet is take Evening Primrose Oil to help ripen the cervix. You can find it in capsules nearly anywhere they sell vitamins. Take two vaginally and two orally between now and Tuesday, to help you efface. Sex will also help this. (Both dh's semen and your own nipple stimulation and orgasm can help, in different ways.)

For the induction, you have going for you that this is your 2nd and your first was vaginal. That helps increase your chance of everything going well and perhaps quickly! Pitocin is not fun but you may have much more endurance than you realize, and once you get past 4 you may go quickly. Since an epiduiral is not an option, I'd think about getting past at least 5cms before they break your water if you have a say in it, because once that happens it may be super intense but if you are far enough along it could go very fast to 10 cms too and then you can push your baby out!

Hope that makes sense, I was writing fast!

Good luck!!
~ mb

[lilyblossom]

I'm sorry to hear how anxious you are. There are options though.

TMI warning - Sex is great, be SURE you orgasm and that DH ejaculates deep inside. The sperm can help cause labor and orgasms help kick start contractions.

Castor oil. I THINK (and you HAVE to double check this) it's 1/2 a TBSP every few hours for 3 doses have been known to jumpstart labor. Don't try to take too much or it will give you terrible cramps and you'll be pooping your brains out while in labor, not fun!!

Walk, walk, walk, exercise, do what you can to be active. Did I mention sex? LOL!

EPO is also a good suggestion, start that right away, don't wait for the weekend, it can take some time to kick in.

Relax! Visualize your baby coming to you naturally. Positive affirmations are very powerful. Talk to your little one and encourage them to come to you.

: Keep us posted, Good thoughts are being sent your way! :

[wearefour]

Originally Posted by mamabutterfly

Hi,

Sorry to hear you are in this position! Here are a couple of my thoughts from several years as a doula:
There are definately ways to help encourage the best possible outcome. Since this is a few days away, I guess it might be too late to find a birth doula or a woman friend who knows a lot about birth to come with you for encouragement and support? Not having an epidural can actually help your chances of getting through the induction with a vaginal birth, but a ton of support will really help with comfort measures and encouraging you that you can really do it and be okay.

One thing to do now if you haven't yet is take Evening Primrose Oil to help ripen the cervix. You can find it in capsules nearly anywhere they sell vitamins. Take two vaginally and two orally between now and Tuesday, to help you efface. Sex will also help this. (Both dh's semen and your own nipple stimulation and orgasm can help, in different ways.)

For the induction, you have going for you that this is your 2nd and your first was vaginal. That helps increase your chance of everything going well and perhaps quickly! Pitocin is not fun but you may have much more endurance than you realize, and once you get past 4 you may go quickly. Since an epiduiral is not an option, I'd think about getting past at least 5cms before they break your water if you have a say in it, because once that happens it may be super intense but if you are far enough along it could go very fast to 10 cms too and then you can push your baby out!

Hope that makes sense, I was writing fast!

Good luck!!
~ mb

Thank you SO MUCH for your response! You've just relieved a lot of stress! I've been so scared that pitocin=pain=problems! To hear someone experienced say that an induced birth doesn't have to be too complicated feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I haven't been taking any EPO, but I'm planning on picking some up this afternoon.

Thanks again!

[sarahn4639]

I want to second the doula! Especially knowing you don't have the option of an epidural a doula could be your best "weapon". I'm sure if you make enough calls you will find someone able to help you.


I'd also avoid the castor oil at this point because you aren't actually trying to put yourself into labor (althought that would be nice) but get your body ready for an induction. Don't get me wrong, if you can avoid the induction I think that's great but castor oil with a not quite 37 week mom isn't likely to work and you'll feel yucky from the side effects. Just my opinion and I'm not a big fan of castor oil to begin with so there you go.

[mama_nym]

Reflexology:
Inside Heel. Press this point just inside the heel of each foot. You can’t mistake it when you have found the right spot because it should be quite tender.
Arch of the Foot. This point will also be tender, and it is located in the arch of the foot just in front of your heel. At no time should the pain be very intense, however. Your pressure should be firm, but apply less pressure at first if it hurts too much. You will no doubt find that as the tension releases, you can begin to apply more pressure and release deeper tension. This point is also very effective for dealing with the pain of intense contractions while you’re in the delivery room. Be sure your partner knows this one!
Between the Big and Second Toes. This point is about one finger-width below the space between your big toe and your second toe. Again, when you have found the right spot, it will be tender.
Thumb Point. This point is probably the most effective one for inducing labor. It affects the pituitary gland, which releases oxytocin, the natural hormone in your body which is responsible for uterine contractions. Press firmly on the center of the thumb for at least three minutes. Then, switch to your other thumb.

[Mama2-4]

I will also agree on the EPO capsules used vaginally with such short timing. With our last baby I saw my midwife on a Friday (I was 41+ weeks and they were threatening induction the following week) I was only 1-2 cm and not much going on. I used the EPO over the weekend, DH and I dtd as much as we could and by Monday when I went back I was a good 4 cm and on Tuesday my water broke and I went in to labor!

I also did a lot of walking, actually went hiking in the mountains! Another thought of something else I used was one of the cohosh's....cant remember if it is blue or black...I will check the bottle when I get downstairs. On the day my water broke I had been taking that in conjunction with doing a lot of walking and really focusing on going in to labor. I think so much of it is being mentally prepared for it, so also work on that!

Oh, one more thing is nipple stim. If you have a breast pump you could begin pumping to get contractions started, or just rubbing the nipples can do it too.

Good luck, keep us posted, and I will check on the cohosh, or maybe someone else knows.

I found this info cohosh

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/...Induction.html