Natural... "Encouragment"

[sunshinestarr]

Okay... DH and I's first baby was stillborn at exactly 42 weeks (from LMP). There was no reason given, the only thing my midwife could tell me was that there wasn't a lot of amniotic fluid.. We didn't have any tests or anything but she is sure that it wasn't anything genetic, and the baby came out looking perfect.
FF to now.. :) We're 17 weeks preggers again! I am 100% all for babies choosing their own birthdays... I don't like the idea of inducing (although I was induced with #1 - we already knew that he was gone and I showed no signs of ever going into labour.. I, admittedly, was also uncomfortable just going back home and waiting since I knew he was gone). When I was induced the last time, the contractions came on SO STRONG - I know that most people feel pain with contractions, but I also know that pit really brings them on much stronger than they normally would be.
So.. I know I'm only 17 weeks now, but I get scared about going over that much again.. I know about castor oil (sorta).. But I don't think I'm going to want to do something that will, without a doubt, make me go into labour immediately.. I was thinking.. maybe I could naturally "encourage" baby to want to come out, around week 40 or so.
Am I crazy? Should I get over it? What do you gals think? What could I use for this???
TIA! :)

[nova22]

Given your situation, I would be all for natural "encouragement" as you put it. For DH and I, the only encouragement both our kids needed was, well, sperm. :shy Personally, I'd steer clear of castor oil and try other methods first.

[HomeBirthMommy]

I used Evening Primrose Oil for help #2. I used it both orally and as a vaginal supository. It was a little messy, but it worked within 12 hours for me. :thumb

[KittyKat]

(((HUGS))) to you!

I know all too well the pain of losing a much loved much wanted child.

Mine was due to "birth accident" not stillbirth. So I have the "closure" of knowing exactly (in far too great detail) "why" he died, and the heartache of knowing IF things had been different, been done different, been timed different... everything could have gone another direction. :shrug

I agree, I'd be feeling like doing all the natural "encouragement" I could be sure is safe. (In fact, I AM going to, as long as this kid stays head down :1praying: )

Sex does bring on contractions, and help with cervical ripening/dilation.

Someone recently mentioned on another board that she read somewhere that taking EPO orally can actually be counter-productive, because it increases your "resistance" to the prostaglandins??? I have been trying to find more info on this, but so far no luck. So, please take that with plenty of "salt" as total hearsay!

I have found in my own experience that Red Rapsberry Leaf herb is GREAT for helping the uterus labor effectively, and making for an easier recovery. You can take RRL all through pregnancy, but for getting good results you should BARE MINIMUM start taking 3 cups per day in the third trimester. There are other recommendations that list the amounts as 1 cup/day 1st tri, 2 cups/day 2nd tri, 3+ cups/day third tri. The highest amounts I've seen were 1 cup 3x/day during 1st tri, and going on up to 3 cups 3x/day third tri. Anyways, I am in my third trimester now, and I haven't been as consistent in drinking it as I was in previous PGs, but I am drinking 3 cups/day. It gives me mild BH, so I feel like it's "working."

I plan to start taking EPO at 35/36 weeks to ripen my cervix. Lots of "work" for DH and walking. IF I get past 41 weeks I may start some homeopathic stuff to see if that helps.

I am also thinking about using some "5W" herbal formula. There's more info about this on the http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives site.

Kathryn

[sunshinestarr]

Wise mommas, thank you! I am so glad I asked. I'm also interested in the EPO question.. KittyKat, are you planning on taking it orally or inserting it? HUGS back to you by the way!! I'm truly sorry that you had to go through losing your baby. It's awful.
Thanks again everyone.. (Still looking for more ideas, too!)
I'm so excited to have this lil one!! I can't wait. :D

[KittyKat]

Well, I've just spent a bit of time reading up on EPO, and I have found ZERO sources for the claim that taking EPO orally causes any problems, just the opposite, every single source I found said EPO works orally and topically.

So, I'll probably do some orally and some topically. I tend to use it topically when I don't get any prostaglandins from DH :wink and orally with meals.

Kathryn

[sunshinestarr]

Thank you KittyKat! I think I'll start this around week 39 or so.
:D

[sunshinestarr]

I thought I'd bump this thread up since I'm waaay closer to my due date now. :D
What does everyone think?

[mamamicky]

I do 5W, with this pregnancy and the last. However, I do go over typically. I am 40w 4 days as I type. I do a pregnancy blend tea, now I blend my own. I include RRL, oatstraw, nettles, rosehip, orange peel, peppermint, alfalfa, and maybe something else. If you google snowboard mommy or pregnancy tea there is a really page on making your own pregnancy tea and buying your own herbs. I have also been doing EPO orally since 35/36 weeks.

For what it's worth, my labors have always been short, but who know with this one. I didn't do anything like that with my first and she was born at 40 w 4 days, my second who I did some RRL tea, EPO, and 5w was 41 weeks, 4 days. I eventually used Black and Blue Cohosh and walking to get him out (and avoid medical intervention).

So, there are no guarntees, but I think all of those things help and make for an "optimum" environment for birth when it eventually happens.

I would also say stay active, exercise alot (I love the Fit Mama workout) and keep up the sexual activity!

Blessings,
micky

[sunshinestarr]

Thanks so much! What's 5W....?

[Fuamami]

I've used castor oil with both my children. The first time I took it with eggs right before I went to bed, never got sick and woke up at 5:00 a.m. because my water broke. My friend also had success with this method. The second time I took it during the day and got sick, but also got labor started. I wanted to be more patient the second time, but my grandmother was dying and my mom had to leave.

[Mama2 '05'06]

I was induced last time so I want to avoid medical induction thistime. ( If things continue the way they are, I will go fairly early with this babe.):thumb
Anyway, I am taking RRL (red raspberry leaves) in capsule form and started a type of labor prep formula- Sqawvine Herb, Blessed thistle,Black cohosh root, Pennyroyal, False Unicorn root, RRL and Lobelia herb- in capsules. I also am taking EPO orally 3000mg and 2000mg vaginally daily. I have Blue cohosh root and a Labor tincture that I bought in case I needed help getting started. You can ask about these things in your local health food store or go online- I think I got it on birthwithlove.org but there are many sites out there with info about these things. Good Luck!!:thumb