6 days overdue - they're talking induction - update

[slylives]

Hello,

I am pregnant with my first baby, and now 6 days overdue. So far I am only 1cm dilated and 6% effaced. My midwife has told me that this is perfectly normal, particularly for baby number one, but they want me to a have a non-stress test and an ultrasound on Friday (9 days over) and depending on the results of that, perhaps induce me. If the baby "passes" the tests, they will leave me until I am 14 days over and if baby hadn't made an appearance, they will want to induce.

I know that in certain cases induction is necessary, but I am just so crushed that my wonderful midwife-doula-natural birth may be turning into a medicalised procedure. Midwife said that they would use pitocin but could give me the mimimum dosage and "see how I get on from there". Of course, this would necessitate continuous foetal monitoring and being hooked up to the machine all the way through, which is absolutely not what I want at all. I have explicitly requested in my birth plan that I not be induced, and not have constant monitoring. And of course, I am trying not to think of the common outcome of pitocin-epidural-C-section (then I really would be upset).

Part of me thinks - there's time yet, don't panic, but the other part of me just wants to curl up on the floor and weep. I am also trying to do whatever I can to get things moving - sex, spicy foods, pineapple, walking - pretty much everything short of castor oil. I am actually going to see an acupuncturist tomorrow to see if that moves things along. My midwife unit is nationally renowned and about as crunchy as I think you can get in a hospital setting, but I am still concerned that the P word has been mentioned.

Has anyone out there had a positive experience with being induced? If so, please share it with me. And if anyone has a fool-proof way of getting Baby to make an appearance, please let me know...

Thanks.

Update - Baby girl arrived without induction on March 17 - all 9lbs 9oz of her! Born after 16 hours of back labour, vaginally, and without pain relief or intervention (despite the threat of vacuum pumps, pitocin and a C-section). Too exhausted to post the full story but I will at some point. Thanks for the suggestions - it was the sex that did it!

[New_Natural_Mom]

This is my first, so I don't have any direct experience, but if there is an acupuncturist in your area with fertility experience, he or she should be able to jump start labor.

[annakiss]

You can refuse induction. You will go into labor on your own. First babies are notoriously "late." 38-42 weeks is term. Is there anyway you can get your due date pushed back? You can do the NST, but I seriously doubt there's going to be a problem at all. If they're talking induction, talk them back. You do not want to induce. I don't care how sick you are of being pregnant. Induction is the first step to c/section. Stay AWAY.

If you are anxious to get things on the road on your own, drink red raspberry leaf tea (a few cups a day), have loads of sex, eat spicy foods, get lots of rest, and meditate on being ready for your baby. Make sure you clear out any fears or doubts you have. And be prepared for going to 42 weeks at least. It is NOT a big deal. Tell that midwife to BACK OFF.

[mytwogirls]

Both mine were induced and I had great, great great birth experiences. Yes, I did have them in a hospital (I worked as L&D RN) and yes I did have pitocin and an epidural but accordingly to me I had a great birth both times. No problems to speak of. I walked, squatted, sat in warm water and birthed them in the position I wanted to. I have nothing had to say about induced labor at all, but that is just me.

[Changed]

Induced birth isn't always bad and doesn't always go wrong but statistically, the risk of complications is increased with induction. The risk of c section also goes up with induction. It makes sense that if your body isn't ready, things will not go as smoothly as if it was.

[annakiss]

Also, by and large, great births do not come from induction. Can they? yes. But if it's not what you wanted, then don't start down that path.

[Benji'sMom]

OP basically you are describing exactly what happened to me with my first child (which ended in a c/s). Your midwife sounds exactly like any regular OB in any hospital. So I can't really give you a "positive experience" type of story.

But try using a breastpump, the stimulation can induce labor, it did for my second baby.

[merry-mary]

Things that can jumpstart labor:

* red raspberry leaf tea - drink 3 cups, minimum, per day. Let it steep for a long time.
* walk vigorously (or as vigorously as you can at 40+ weeks pregnant)
* clean your bathroom
* sex
* nipple stimulation
* eat spicy food
* drink a glass of red wine
* schedule a massage, manicure and pedicure appointment. This is kind of funny, but really, I know so many mamas whose babies have come the day before or day of their scheduled pampering day! And hey, if not, then you get to be pampered.

[lerlerler]

My u/s said I was due 14 days before my REAL due date (we charted for conception, I knew my conception date) I went "2 weeks overdue" according to my m/w and babe was born on the "right" day.

Have babe stay put... but if you are nervous, let them listen to the hb every day

[Mrsboyko]

I just have one tip. Before the NST on Friday (assuming you make it that long) drink a bottle of orange juice on your way there. You will pass in no time flat since baby will be all over the place.

What they are looking for is 3-5 heart decelerations followed by acceleration in a 20 min period. I think a decel is a decrease of at least 15 beats per min. Basically showing that the baby is active. If s/he is asleep, the heart rate will be consistently lower and they will start saying things like "oh, baby is in distress" No, just sleeping......

[nashvillemidwife]

Statistically, this baby is likely to come in the next few days without any intervention at all. I know your anxious, but there's really no need to be upset about it now.

[sapphire_chan]

If you do end up going in for an NST, keep your pants on, it's not like your dilation/effacement means anything as far as when labor will start. (This is my default advice to anyone at the end of pregnancy after reading a couple "oops, I broke your water without your permission" stories.)

[elanorh]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

If you do end up going in for an NST, keep your pants on, it's not like your dilation/effacement means anything as far as when labor will start. (This is my default advice to anyone at the end of pregnancy after reading a couple "oops, I broke your water without your permission" stories.)

YES. Tell them that you don't want to check effacement at this time, just do the NST.

Isn't the average 8 days past the due date for first time moms?

It's hard to ignore the pressure, but hold firm! Also, isn't a Bishop's Score a good thing to have done if they are continuing to pressure towards an induction?

And- you may want to bring the ACOG statement on fetal macrosemia not being a sufficient reason to induce (in case they start saying, "Oooh, s/he is also getting bigger and we're worried about that").

[DBZ]

Welcome to the club LOL. I'm 40 weeks and 4 days. Technically you are not overdue until 42 weeks. I consented to the NST. Definately have sugar in your body during it. I drank juice on the drive there and ate a piece of chocolate in the elevator. Worked like a charm. I also kept my clothes on. I was shocked when they offered me the choice of my clothes or gown.

I am refusing the ultrasound. If I'm still pregnant at 42 weeks, I'll probably consent to it then. It's your body. All these things they are suggesting you do are choices. You can pick and choose some, all, or none of them.

[ElkMtnsMama]

My dd (first birth, at home) was born 13 days past her due date, and I had tried all the reccomended measures to help things move along.

Finally resorted to the castor oil, which was no fun, but did work; I went into labor the following night, after having VERY loose bowels all day, then a spicy dinner. I was also using homeopathic caulophyllum, (the day I did the castor oil) 3 tablets under the tongue every half hour, to help my contractions become more regular.

Don't let anybody talk you into doing something you don't want regarding your birth choices! Six days is not that "late!"

[thefragile7393]

Let them talk! As long as you and your babe are healthy, let them talk all they want. You've already gotten some great suggestions so I won't go any further....except to say the above

[tireesix]

I allowed myseelf to be bullied into an unnecessary induction with DD1. She wasn't actually overdue, but no one listened to me, they based my pregnancy on a 28 day cycle instead of a 6 week cycle, they decided that on scans she was small for dates rather than the right size for her actual dates........ Anyway, I regret it.

2nd baby I refused to let anyone talk me into induction and went to nearly 43 weeks before labour started and I had a homebirth.

First babies generally don't arrive until T+10 but even that isn't 'overdue'....... Over due is like T+15.

Some people do have great births from induction, but you have to think about what you want and wheteher it is right for you at this point. I think some pf the problem with my first birth was the fact that I was bullied into the induction, it wasn't what I wanted and every fibree in my body fought it because it wasn't right, I knew it was unnecessary.

So, I reckon, until you are comfortable with the thought of it mentally etc, stay away from it. When you are sure you have tried everything else, then maybe look into it.

[Sage.Naissance]

EEk yah, stay away from induction until you are actually overdue(42 weeks) People are bullyed into inductions all the time and it drives me mad.
I was indeed just at a great induced birth. It can happen but, particularly if your cervix isnt ready it can be a recipe for caesarean.
Caulyfillum and Gelsymium homeopathics in alteration for several days gets the body ready to birth faster and can therefore induce in a very natural way.
If you are going to be at the hospital where you can have your BP monitored and you are needing to be induced I would see a herbalist about Blue & Black Cohoshes, noting that they are strong but a lot less bad than pit, and that they can affect BP.
If you are going in for induction get your cervix ready with evening primrose(on the cervix, NOT orally), I would do this at least for 24 hrs before the induction.
Anyways, dont let them tell you that if you go to 41 weeks that your baby is going to die or grow to big or something silly like that. Babies are made to be born not stay in there forever. They are worried about placenta deteriorating and stuff, but if you feel good, you feel lots of movement and your midwife hears that the heartrate is consistantly strong you are fine. Trust your intuition mama.
Best Wishes

[azzuranotte]

If you choose to have an ultrasound make sure you drink plenty of water. They'll measure the amount of amniotic fluid. If levels are low, they'll want to induce. My first was induced for this reason. I went for an ultrasound once a week for 4 weeks before my son was born and always drank plenty of water beforehand. Fluid levels were always normal.

[Turquesa]

Originally Posted by merry-mary

* schedule a massage, manicure and pedicure appointment. This is kind of funny, but really, I know so many mamas whose babies have come the day before or day of their scheduled pampering day! And hey, if not, then you get to be pampered.

Isn't there something else to this? I thought I heard something about pressure points on the feet triggering contractions. If it's true, make sure that pedicure includes a good foot massage!