So I (sort of) worked out my maternity leave and that has helped with the chronic pain I've been having. But now I'm coming up on my due date and the doctor is quite eager to induce me. I'm due on Sunday and she said when I came in Monday she would schedule my induction then. I don't particularly want to go 42 weeks, either, and want to avoid pitocin at pretty much all costs. I've heard some good things and some really scary things about cytotec, and I've also heard that sweeping the membranes can be a way to jumpstart labor naturally. From those of you who have done this before, am I setting myself up for the whole barrage of interventions if I let her strip my membranes on Monday? Are there other alternatives I don't know about that I could bring up with her? What have been your experiences with these? These are the only 2 I'm aware of (other than the natural stuff). I *don't* want the pitocin & I want to labor naturally but I'm willing to try less invasive things to get it started, depending on their risks, of course. And of course I can always *wait* some mroe, but it's doubtful on how long she'll let me go.

You're not even DUE yet- relax :hug

I would not do ANYTHING to induce (including stripping membranes) without medical reason.

First pregnancies AVERAGE 41 weeks 2-3 days.

Average.

Don't let anyone pressure you. You can say no to everything.

-Angela

So I (sort of) worked out my maternity leave and that has helped with the chronic pain I've been having. But now I'm coming up on my due date and the doctor is quite eager to induce me. I'm due on Sunday and she said when I came in Monday she would schedule my induction then. I don't particularly want to go 42 weeks, either, and want to avoid pitocin at pretty much all costs. I've heard some good things and some really scary things about cytotec, and I've also heard that sweeping the membranes can be a way to jumpstart labor naturally. From those of you who have done this before, am I setting myself up for the whole barrage of interventions if I let her strip my membranes on Monday? Are there other alternatives I don't know about that I could bring up with her? What have been your experiences with these? These are the only 2 I'm aware of (other than the natural stuff). I *don't* want the pitocin & I want to labor naturally but I'm willing to try less invasive things to get it started, depending on their risks, of course. And of course I can always *wait* some mroe, but it's doubtful on how long she'll let me go.

What kind of chronic pain issues do you have?

In normal circumstances I would advise you tell your Dr to bite you and you don't need to be induced but I am curious about the pain you are having.

Is is causing you to have sleeping problems? Are you having trouble resting?

Can you give us more information?

yeah, I know I *can* say no, but they took me on at nearly 7 months pregnant and they are a big practice...they can give me the boot if I don't follow their "standards of care". She didn't even want to see my birth plan when I brought it in last week, now would she put it in my chart. She told me to just give it to someone at the hospital when I went into labor. Maybe I'm not assertive enough...sigh. It doesn't help that I'm "big as a minute" as my mom says and look about 13 yrs old. Maybe I should drag along my doula AND my mom for every appt....I bet they'd love that lol. :)

Is there a birth center in your area?

Would you be willing to say what city you are in so we can recommend something?

The pain....I pulled my round ligament on the job back when I was about 20-ish wks. The ER doc (quite correctly) told me that the ligament wouldn't be able to recover right until postpartum, so the pain would just increase until then, which it has. The last month or so I also developed what I think is sciatica pain.

There have been a couple of days where I literally couldn't move from my seat and almost didn't get to the bathroom in time because I couldn't bear to move and exacerbate the pain. I work with special needs children and did a lot of heavy lifting and pulling, restraining, etc up until 38 wks when I finally had to stop working. I'm sure that didn't help any but I tend to be a person that grits my teeth and works through the pain until it is absolutely unbearable, and that is what I did. I've been to a massage therapist a couple of times and she *says* I have a high pain tolerance, but I'm in a good bit of pain, so....

I'm in Virginia Beach. There is a sort-of birth center in Norfolk, which is close to me, but this group of doctors is the only one that would take me so late in the game, and they only practice at two hospitals (I picked the better one of the two, at least). The health insurance through my job didn't kick in til I was 6-7 months pregnant, thus the ensuing complications.

I'm in Virginia Beach. There is a sort-of birth center in Norfolk, which is close to me, but this group of doctors is the only one that would take me so late in the game, and they only practice at two hospitals (I picked the better one of the two, at least). The health insurance through my job didn't kick in til I was 6-7 months pregnant, thus the ensuing complications.

Call the birth center tomorrow, or go and visit, explain what is happening and what your Drs are saying and see what they say.

The Midwifery Center at DePaul
100 Kingsley Lane, 4th Floor
Norfolk, VA 23505
Tel: 757-889-3443
Fax: 757-423-4901
Contact: Neldara Dowell, CNM
Email: midwives@wccnorth.hrcoxmail.com
Website: www.bonsecourshamptonroads.com


I am sorry you are being pressured like this. :(

:hug

Honestly? I would run, not walk away from that doctor. Do anything you can to see if you can find a more understanding care provider. The fact that she won't "let" you go longer, (it's actually YOUR decision)! And the fact that she is not even interested in seeing a birth plan raise HUGE red flags for me.

As far as inducing, walk around (if you can), have sex if you can, eat some spicy food. But there is no reason for medical or even herbal induction methods at this point. (I understand it can be hard in late pg and you just want the baby to be born, and you mentioned that you have pain issues.... but seriously.... letting things take their course will be sooo much easier on you in the end, trust me!)

:Hug Hope it all works out and you have a great birth... hang in there.... the baby will come soon!

yeah, I know I *can* say no, but they took me on at nearly 7 months pregnant and they are a big practice...they can give me the boot if I don't follow their "standards of care". She didn't even want to see my birth plan when I brought it in last week, now would she put it in my chart. She told me to just give it to someone at the hospital when I went into labor. Maybe I'm not assertive enough...sigh. It doesn't help that I'm "big as a minute" as my mom says and look about 13 yrs old. Maybe I should drag along my doula AND my mom for every appt....I bet they'd love that lol. :)

NO- they can NOT dump you at this point.

I agree- run to a different practice.

-Angela

I don't do non-medical induction. Late pregnancy sucks, but so do all the things that flow from interventions. I would avoid them unless they became medically necessary (not just "you're past your due date, might as well have a baby" necessary).

I would not let them induce me for nonmedical reasons. I did with my first pregnancy, even though my body was not ready, it wasn't even my due date. Guess what????? My uterus started hypercontracting due to the Cervidil and my baby's heartrate went crazy. I ended up with a cesarean. If you are ok with possibly getting a Cesarean that could have well been prevented and you wont spend a bunch of time blaming yourself for not being more assertive, then induction is an option for you. But just be aware that it can all spiral out of control VERY quickly.

I'm maybe *slightly* more mainstream here than some folks - I would probably consent to sweeping your membranes at some point past your EDD if you're truly in miserable pain. But I would NOT consent to cervidil/pitocin/AROM anything other than sweeping membranes.

And you should ONLY consent to sweeping your membranes if YOU want to do this. Do not let your doctor pressure you into this! If it will help you stand your ground then yes, take your mom and/or doula into your appointment with you :)

If you get past 41 weeks and your doc gets antsy, offer to take a non-stress test every couple days to reassure both her (and you) that things are fine. If you go past 42 weeks (according to one of my OB friends "41 weeks is the new 42 weeks" - which is why they get so antsy at 41 weeks now) then you can start thinking about jumpstarting the process a bit more if you're not comfortable with letting things move on their own.

Chances are things will start on their own. Your doc cannot legally drop you this late in the game, so don't worry about that.

I found that a lot of medical care during pg was me balancing what I felt to be true and my OB's needs. It wasn't just managing care, but the relationship.

Let them schedule the induction as late as you can push it and don't worry about it. You may not need it. If you get to that date, renegotiate it. Do the stress test whatever to prove the babe is okay and keep pushing against their paradigm.

Your doc is not wanting to talk about induction just to induce, but to coordinate the logistics of care per the standards of care their practice subscribes to. So go along to get along, knowing that your agenda is different and what your next step is.

Go ahead and discuss induction. What meds do they use, what do you want to use etc..? Get your preferences communicated and hash out your differences just in case.

Until you're in the hospital with an IV in your arm, it's all just talk. Talk can't hurt you and talk doesn't mean you'll agree to an induction. But it does calm the doctor down and keep people from freaking out.

Your labor will go as it will, not as you or anyone else would have it.

Lastly, no I don't believe sweeping your membranes sets you up for more intervention. Except if it were to break your water--then you'd be kind of screwed.

Have had pitocin (for augmentation of a crappy labor) I would go for membrane sweeping and try everything I could before I consented to pitocin. Pitocin is what will set you up for more intervention.

Good luck!

V

What is the hurry? You aren't even at your due date yet.

As for your OB's "needs," and what he or she will "let" you do, bah on that. He/she will have completely forgotten you the day after your birth and will not be dealing with any possible long-term consequences of an induction gone badly. I wouldn't even discuss the induction at all at this point, OBs tend to be very good at sweet-talking and manipulating women when it suits their needs. There is NO NEED to negotiate or worry about what their "standards of care" are, this is your body and your life.

It would be illegal and against FEDERAL LAW for them to drop you at this point, for any reason.

P.S. Keep your clothes on until you know for sure what you want to do or you might end up with having your membranes swept whether you decide you want it to happen or not. I've even heard of doctors "accidentally" breaking your water during a sweep if they think you are going to be difficult about consenting to induction.

What is the hurry? You aren't even at your due date yet.

As for your OB's "needs," and what he or she will "let" you do, bah on that. He/she will have completely forgotten you the day after your birth and will not be dealing with any possible long-term consequences of an induction gone badly. I wouldn't even discuss the induction at all at this point, OBs tend to be very good at sweet-talking and manipulating women when it suits their needs. There is NO NEED to negotiate or worry about what their "standards of care" are, this is your body and your life.

It would be illegal and against FEDERAL LAW for them to drop you at this point, for any reason.

P.S. Keep your clothes on until you know for sure what you want to do or you might end up with having your membranes swept whether you decide you want it to happen or not. I've even heard of doctors "accidentally" breaking your water during a sweep if they think you are going to be difficult about consenting to induction.

:yeah:

I think bringing your doula and or mom with you to your next appointment is a great idea. They can't make medical decisions for you, but knowing they back you up may help you say no. The fact that she didn't even look at your birth plan realy is horrible. She has no respect for you or the kind of birth you want.

I think it's really early to sweep membranes. If your body isn't ready for labor, it's not going to jump start anything, it's just going to hurt. Call the birth center and tell them your story.


Best of luck :hug

Just to add... have you seen a chiropractor for the round ligament pain? I was (already) in bad pelvic pain a couple months ago (it plagued me throughout my 3rd tri with ds), and the chiro has helped me SO MUCH. Even if you only go a couple times before baby arrives, at least it might make you more comfortable.

Hang in there!! Baby will come when s/he's ready--don't rush it. There are also "natural" things you can try to get some action happening: EPO to ripen the cervix, sex, lots of walking/squatting, etc etc.

Stripping membranes makes you more vulnerable to PROM (water breaking before contractions start), which puts you on the clock and therefore more likely to end up with a cascade of interventions. I wouldn't do it either.

Chances are things will start on their own. Your doc cannot legally drop you this late in the game, so don't worry about that.

Thanks for letting me know of that...that eases my concerns a little bit. I heard a horror story of the doctor IN THE HOSPITAL threatening to walk out during labor because the mom (my mom, in labor with me!) wasn't "agreeing" with his protocol. And I was doing fine....he just had a power issue. Years later this same doctor got sued and banned here for malpractice and moved to Texas...but I digress :)

The law that covers this is EMTALA and wasn't passed until...1994, maybe? I don't remember.

Doctors still threaten to drop patients at the last minute, even during labor, if they won't consent to something. Either they just don't know that this is illegal, or they just don't care. They can't actually do it, or they are breaking federal law.

At my 40-wk appt the doc told me to schedule my 41-wk nonstress test and that typically, they like to induce the same day "if it is convenient". Convenient for who is pretty obvious.

anyway, I told her I'd schedule it, but of course I never did. Baby was born at 40wks 4 days, right on time and on HIS schedule. If I had gone beyond 41 wks I still would not have induced. Plenty of women went to 42 wks before OBs started micromanaging birth.

When I was pg with my first the midwife wanted to strip my membranes at my 39-wk appt. I declined and she basically told me that I would "be sorry when I have to come back next week for an induction". Whatever, I didn't let her bug me. My daughter decided to be born the next day.

Childbirth involves a delicate interplay of hormones from both mother and baby. The baby will start the process when s/he is ready to be born. Whenever that may be, if you choose a hospital birth, there WILL be a doctor available to catch your baby if that is what you want.

Show up to the hospital when contractions are so painful that you can't smile anymore. That means you're nearing transition and you will not have to sit (lay) at the hospital long (and set yourself up for some "helpful" interventions) before your baby is born.

Good luck! It is easy for me to say, but please try to relax. Your baby is getting ready and will come when s/he is ready.

I totally agree with the pp's who said that you should do what YOU want and not what the OB wants. I would definitely give that birthing center a call.

And here's the thing... when your birth is over, you will think about it FOREVER. If you're like most of the women I've talked to, you will remember specific things that were either wonderful or horrible. And if you're one of the women who didn't speak up for herself while there was still time (before you go into labor), there's a good chance you will deeply, deeply regret it. You cannot reverse it. And if you just LET yourself become passive about it for whatever reason - maybe you consider yourself not to be strong-willed - remember that you are still making a conscious choice to not change a situation that is already heading down a road you don't want to go down.

I don't mean to be harsh or scare you, but YOU are in the drivers' seat of your body and your birth and whomever is going to be assisting at your birth should be on board with you, not fighting against you.

Best of luck - and just so you know, my DS came 41 weeks and 3 days.

I totally agree with the pp's who said that you should do what YOU want and not what the OB wants. I would definitely give that birthing center a call.

And here's the thing... when your birth is over, you will think about it FOREVER. If you're like most of the women I've talked to, you will remember specific things that were either wonderful or horrible. And if you're one of the women who didn't speak up for herself while there was still time (before you go into labor), there's a good chance you will deeply, deeply regret it. You cannot reverse it. And if you just LET yourself become passive about it for whatever reason - maybe you consider yourself not to be strong-willed - remember that you are still making a conscious choice to not change a situation that is already heading down a road you don't want to go down.

I don't mean to be harsh or scare you, but YOU are in the drivers' seat of your body and your birth and whomever is going to be assisting at your birth should be on board with you, not fighting against you.

Best of luck - and just so you know, my DS came 41 weeks and 3 days.

Extremely and painfully true.

Please always act in your own best self-interest. Remember, you will live for the rest of your life with the decisions made FOR you at the birth, so make the decision that you can live with, because you will. And remember, this is only the beginning of eighteen years at least of doing just that for your dear child.

Your doctor, the nurses, and the hospital only get reimbursed for their time.

Childbirth involves a delicate interplay of hormones from both mother and baby. The baby will start the process when s/he is ready to be born. Whenever that may be, if you choose a hospital birth, there WILL be a doctor available to catch your baby if that is what you want.

Show up to the hospital when contractions are so painful that you can't smile anymore. That means you're nearing transition and you will not have to sit (lay) at the hospital long (and set yourself up for some "helpful" interventions) before your baby is born.

Good luck! It is easy for me to say, but please try to relax. Your baby is getting ready and will come when s/he is ready.

Great advice there.

This whole "induce on the due date" isn't evidence based medicine and if you question your doctor as to WHY there is a need to induce she will probably not be able to give you an answer. They know that even medical textbooks state that there is NO statistically increased risk in a pregnancy going to 42 weeks. Even medical textbooks state that anywhere from 38-42 weeks is the "normal" range for a pregnancy to last. If you aren't having medical problems that make an induction 100% necessary just say no, you want to wait until 42 weeks to even think about an induction. They cannot drop you from care or you can charge them with patient abandonment.

Stripping (not breaking) the membranes is probably the "best" of all induction methods (but shouldn't be done until 42 weeks and that is if you are SURE of your dates) because you can just go home and if nothing happens, nothing happens.

PLEASE do not allow them to use Cytotec. Mamas and babies have died from it, even the FDA put out an alert that it is NOT a drug that is intended for labor induction.

From: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/misoprostol/default.htm

This Patient Information Sheet is for pregnant women who may receive misoprostol to soften their cervix or induce contractions to begin labor. Misoprostol is sometimes used to decrease blood loss after delivery of a baby. These uses are not approved by the FDA. No company has sent the FDA scientific proof that misoprostol is safe and effective for these uses.

There can be serious side effects, including a torn uterus (womb), when misoprostol is used for labor and delivery. A torn uterus may result in severe bleeding, having the uterus removed (hysterectomy), and death of the mother or baby. These side effects are more likely in women who have had previous uterine surgery, a previous Cesarean delivery (C-section), or several previous births.

There are serious risks associated with induction. I would hate to be one of the women who have to look back and think that if I had just been patient and assertive with the Dr.s and let my baby come on its own time that nothing bad would have happened. :(

What everyone else said--don't let a doctor pressure you into doing something you aren't comfortable with!

I had sciatic pain in both pregnancies and chiropractic worked wonders.

Just to add... have you seen a chiropractor for the round ligament pain? I was (already) in bad pelvic pain a couple months ago (it plagued me throughout my 3rd tri with ds), and the chiro has helped me SO MUCH. Even if you only go a couple times before baby arrives, at least it might make you more comfortable.

I was going to ask the same thing. I had sciatica before I was even pregnant, despite being fit and healthy. I knew it would get worse during pregnancy, so I started seeing a chiropractor regularly, once a week, and 2-3 times per week toward the end. She kept me completely pain-free and I'm convinced that the chiropractic care, in my case, is what enabled ds to be properly positioned and labor to go relatively quickly.

It's definitely worth a try.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and advice. Happily I started labor on my own yesterday and now I'm just hoping the contractions progress a little quicker before I run out of steam. *Hopefully* I'll be in the hospital to push within the next few hours...hopefully. I'm thrilled...today is my due date; just in time!!!

YAY! :goodvibes::twothumbs

Remember, YOU are responsible for you and your baby (even though the hospital may try to tell you that they are). This may just be another Sunday night shift to them, but to you, it's one of the (if not THE) most amazing day of your life, so stick up for what you want for yourself and your baby! :) Once you see those beautiful eyes staring up at you, you'll know how important it was to protect your little angel.

Happy birthing - you're going to do great!!!

awesome mama!:D

the trick now is just to hang out at home as long as possible. eat and drink as needed/ wanted to keep up your strength, rest when you can, but alternate periods of rest w/ periods of activity....

:dust

so excited for you mama:love:birthday:

Yes, stay home, rest, eat, drink and prepare for the biggest day of your life! You will remember this forever. Giving birth is the most wonderful experience! You're going to do great!

Best of luck and sending good birthing energy your way!

Honestly? I would run, not walk away from that doctor.

Please do this.

This was my instinct, and I ignored it.

One traumatic birth resulting in a C/S later, and I cannot stress enough how much you MUST trust your instincts in this situation.

My $.02? You've got a ton of red flags with this practice (big group, aren't taking you seriously, eager to induce...). Seconding, thirding whatever the recommendation to give the birth center a call.

OOOPs - missed the update. GOOD LUCK!

I'm jumping in here just to say, I hope things went well--I'd love an update! I'm so glad that you ended up going into labor on your own--yay!