recommendations for late-term pregnancy?

[pregomonster]

I'm 37 weeks pregnant and I currently drink red raspberry leaf, nettles and alfalfa tea. I'm about 4 cm dilated but no effacement and baby is really high. I've had to be induced with 3 other kids. I do have permission to use breast pump at 39 weeks as I read this will stimulate labor. This worked last time too but labor stopped once I got to hospital. Anyway, any recommendations for tea or herbs? First two babies I used black cohosh and evening primrose supplements a few weeks prior to due date but was still overdue and had to be induced. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Ruthla]

I'd suggest you have patience with your body, and find a care provider who won't bombard you with scary stories and pressure you into an induction for no medical reason.

Some women just naturally go to 41,42, or more weeks of gestation before going into labor. Their babies are fine- ok, the women are uncomfortable in late pregnancy, but it's not dangerous for mom or baby. Of course, there ARE specific complications that can arise in late pg, and sometimes induction is the best way to treat those specific conditions. But being past 40 weeks is not, all by itself, a reason to induce!

Did you have any complications in your other pregnancies, or were you induced just because of dates?

[guestmama9904]

the important thing to remember about due dates, and something that even birth professionals seem to forget, is that the due date is the middle point in 1 month where you could give birth. you should expect baby to come between 38 wks from lmp and 42 weeks from lmp. you aren't actually "overdue" medically speaking until you are at 42 weeks +1 day or greater. so really, doctors/midwives ect should not worry or do anything to start labour until you are actually over 42 weeks pregnant, unless of course there are other reasons.

[Mama Poot]

Three words-EVENING PRIMROSE OIL. This wonderful gift of nature helped me through two stalled labors. It will not fail you! You still have time though, I wouldn't apply it topically until you reach 40+ weeks. In the meantime, get some capsules or you can get it in the liquid dropper form and start taking it. If you pass 40 weeks and nothing is happening, start applying the oil directly to your cervix.

[pregomonster]

I'm really not too worried about going late. The breast pump thing really helps. I just wondered if there was anything I could take that would be natural that might also encourage things to happen. I tried the evening primrose before with pretty much no success. I will say my midwife is a bit of an alarmist but I tend to ignore that. This is my fourth and I've gotten pretty good at letting them know that I am the patient and I have rights etc. Thanks so much for your responses. No complications ever, so no medical reasons for inducement. My first two were 42 weeks and to the best of their knowledge, water seemed to be decreasing. Third time, using breast pump for nipple stimulation brought about contractions and water breaking but then things stopped. Anyway, thanks again for your help.