Nipple Stimulation ???

[erica57401]

I know there was a post not too long ago on this...So Im 39+1 and 4cm diallated...having terrible achy cramps, have walked, done the deed, and last night DH and I started the nipple stimulation (I know its early...but I seriously feel like this baby is going to fall out of me...so I felt it was time). And IT WORKED! I had three contractions about 15 seconds...3-4 minutes apart...but then they just stopped...i was still doing the stimulation and they wouldn't start back up again.

Does it really work?? Should I try it again? Does the fact that they stopped mean that she's not ready and I should just back off trying to make her arrive...

I don't know...I'm worried that she's getting huge. I have short cycles normally and for some reason our OB doesn't take that into consideration...so when I calculate a dd then Im 40+5...I'm scared this poor little babe is going to be big!! ugh.

Trust me...I don't want an OB...but DH and I moved to SD not too long ago and since they just passed a bill that made home-attended birth with MW legal (went into effect 7/6/08)...there aren't any practicing midwives anywhere near us yet that have set up shop. Its kind of a pooey deal to say the least...so we have a doula and are planning on staying home as long as possible...just going to the hospital to push her out and that's all. haha...

okay I feel like I got off topic a bit....shutting up now.

[Kidzaplenty]

For me, NS only creates very strong b/h cx. But not necessarily productive cx.

And, like most things natural. It should not do anything if you are not ready. So continuing on may or may not have any good results. But is should not have any negative results.

And size, a few days is not going to make that much of a difference.

[prairieo]

Emily, I think your fears are totally natural, and that is the real part to address. I am going through similar feelings, and I have given birth three times! For you, since it's your first baby, it's totally understandable for you to be nervous about pushing out the baby, etc.

I agree with Kidzaplenty...if you aren't ready, it won't work. But you can't do any harm with NS, in my opinion. I know there's some controversy about it...but I don't understand why some people think it's safer to go get a pit drip at the hospital than to do nipple stimulation. To me, that just sounds like fear.

Unfortunately, I think we really are stuck with the reality that our babies are going to come when they are ready.

Let's try to work through our fears about it, huh?

Oh, and I don't think you need to explain to anyone why you're not having a homebirth. I mean, I know there is a lot of strong emotion around here attached to birth choices, but you need to do whatever you need to do, and don't apologize for it.

take care