Just talked to my midwife

[kathywiehl]

As I've said before, my midwife lives 2 hrs from me and my last labor was 2 hrs start to finish, but she does have an assistant who is perfectly capable of catching this baby and dealing with any problems that might arise and the assistant lives about 45 minutes from me. She's passing through town tomorrow on her way to a town about an hour south of me to meet with another midwife and she offered to stop by and check me for dilation and possibly strip my membranes if I look like I'm close to labor. The reasoning is that for most of the day she'll be only an hour instead of 2 hrs away from me and if I go into labor as a result of the membrane stripping and I won't have to labor and birth without her.

I'm torn on this though. On one hand, I'd like baby to come on his own time, but on the other hand if I'm pretty well dilated and just about ready to go into labor anyway, it would be better if I know she'll make it. Also, membrane stripping doesn't always work, so if baby and I aren't ready at all, then it make a difference anyway, right?

[lincap]

Tricky. My midwife swept my membranes Monday, and I am so not in labor yet. She did it because she is on call Wed and Thurs this week and *MOST* women go into labor within 48 hrs of the sweep. (not me it has been 50 hrs and she did a good sweep).

I personnally think it can't hurt. If you are not ready.. you are not ready (like me!)

[flapjack]

I had it done with Skye on the Monday (41 weeks) because I desperately wanted to avoid having her that Thursday, Alex's birthday. It worked, sort of- she was born on Saturday instead, though my prodromal labour got convincing enough that we still ended up having midwives at Alex's birthday party. I wouldn't- not if the only hesitation is whether the midwife gets to you on time or not, but I'm a newly fervent UCer, so I'm probably not the best person to ask.

[operamommy]

I think it sounds like a pretty good plan. I know (and completely understand) your nervousness about the logistics, since I'm in a similar boat myself! But you need to do what YOU are comfortable with - it's your body and baby - no one else's. *hugs*

[CalebsMama05]

I had my membranes swept with Jake and he was born 12hrs later. if my cervix weren't posterior still I'd have had them swept monday. grr.

[Gunter]

f you feel comfy with it, then go for it. you could also ask about other natural inductions like herbs/tinctures and homeopathy.