[filiadeluna]

MIL actually left two days ago (FINALLY). It took inviting my mom over to my house to get her to leave b/c we only have one guest bed. LOL. So my mom stayed one night, and she treated me to a manicure & pedicure, and even gave me a foot & leg massage (she used to be a massage therapist). It was really nice, but still no labor.<br><br>
Today will be my first day since last Friday that I will be completely by myself while DH is at work. Maybe that will help relax me a bit. I plan on trying to catch up on sleep, working w/my birth ball, and listening to a meditation CD. Who knows if it will help, but it's worth a try at least. A friend of mine pointed out to me that with tomorrow being the Spring Equinox, maybe the baby is waiting for that. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shrug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shrug">

 

[Multimomma]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>filiadeluna</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/13392772"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Today will be my first day since last Friday that I will be completely by myself while DH is at work. Maybe that will help relax me a bit. I plan on trying to catch up on sleep, working w/my birth ball, and listening to a meditation CD. Who knows if it will help, but it's worth a try at least. A friend of mine pointed out to me that with tomorrow being the Spring Equinox, maybe the baby is waiting for that. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shrug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shrug"></div>
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It's not really funny Luna, but i was thinking the same thing about equinox. I asked dh to stay home today, which we've never done. I've always called him from work when contractions were regular and 5 minutes apart, but I thought if he was home to help with kids I could just 'catch up on sleep, work with the birth ball and listen to my CD' <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dust.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="dust"> happy birthing vibes...

 

[nuwavemomma]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>filiadeluna</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/13392772"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">MIL actually left two days ago (FINALLY). It took inviting my mom over to my house to get her to leave b/c we only have one guest bed. LOL. So my mom stayed one night, and she treated me to a manicure & pedicure, and even gave me a foot & leg massage (she used to be a massage therapist). It was really nice, but still no labor.<br><br>
Today will be my first day since last Friday that I will be completely by myself while DH is at work. Maybe that will help relax me a bit. I plan on trying to catch up on sleep, working w/my birth ball, and listening to a meditation CD. Who knows if it will help, but it's worth a try at least. A friend of mine pointed out to me that with tomorrow being the Spring Equinox, maybe the baby is waiting for that. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shrug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shrug"></div>
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Luna, not having a private space to get down to work in could have delayed things for sure. My fingers are crossed for you. Besides the ball have you looked at other techniques for fetal positioning? That also came to mind. Do you know what position the baby is in? And as far as castor oil and puking, I haven't done castor oil, but I can tell you that puking opens one sphincter and frequently will open the others too, so I wouldn't fear puking - it might be helpful at this point.<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">

 

[filiadeluna]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Multimomma</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/13392952"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">It's not really funny Luna, but i was thinking the same thing about equinox. I asked dh to stay home today, which we've never done. I've always called him from work when contractions were regular and 5 minutes apart, but I thought if he was home to help with kids I could just 'catch up on sleep, work with the birth ball and listen to my CD' <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dust.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="dust"> happy birthing vibes...</div>
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Good luck to you, also! I know we had the same EDD, so I completely understand how you feel.<br><br><div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>nuwavemomma</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/13393086"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Luna, not having a private space to get down to work in could have delayed things for sure. My fingers are crossed for you. Besides the ball have you looked at other techniques for fetal positioning? That also came to mind. Do you know what position the baby is in? And as far as castor oil and puking, I haven't done castor oil, but I can tell you that puking opens one sphincter and frequently will open the others too, so I wouldn't fear puking - it might be helpful at this point.<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"></div>
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Actually, she is in perfect position now & has been for at least a week. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"> We had an ultrasound last Friday & she was head down, face down. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"> I don't know what's still holding her up.<br><br>
Anyway, had my second NST today, and things were fine as far as baby goes. I was still only 1cm today, and not effaced. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> My MW went ahead and stripped my membranes, and it didn't hurt nearly as bad as I thought it was. Maybe I just have a high pain tolerance, but I've had cramps worse than that before & all I did to get through it was just breathe. I am bleeding a little, but she said it's normal as long as I don't soak through a pad in an hour. She said it would be like a very light period. I wanted to go ahead and get my membranes stripped, even if nothing comes of it, simply because it's still less risky than the other non-natural induction methods.<br><br>
Worst case scenario, if I have to go in Saturday morning to be induced, they will start me off with the balloon catheter. I will be consenting to anything less invasive/risky than Pitocin before I go that route. That will be a last resort for me. They said if I have to get Pitocin, I'll need the continuous monitoring, thus won't be able to use the labor tub. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> At least they will still let me use the birth ball, though, and stand up, etc.

 

[Malva]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>filiadeluna</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/13395589"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">My MW went ahead and stripped my membranes, and it didn't hurt nearly as bad as I thought it was. Maybe I just have a high pain tolerance, but I've had cramps worse than that before & all I did to get through it was just breathe.</div>
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I never found sweeps to be much more painful than a regular internal exam. Discomfort, yes. But nothing I'd qualify as painful.<br><br>
I know you mentioned not wanting to go the castor oil route and thinking you'd just throw it up. I don't think it's a bad thing. I threw it up within a few minutes of taking it during my last pregnancy and went on to have my son that day. I had none of the nasty effects some women report and imo, it's still preferable than a hospital induction.<br><br>
I was induced with my first and the threat of induction was weighting on me very heavily with my second (had him two days before my scheduled induction, at 41w5d, thanks to the castor oil). I was basically ready to do anything to avoid being induced again. I got weekly sweeps starting at 37 weeks, started taking EPO vaginally at the same time and in the end castor oil did the trick.<br><br>
HTH!

 

[Multimomma]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>filiadeluna</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/13395589"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">My MW went ahead and stripped my membranes, and it didn't hurt nearly as bad as I thought it was.</div>
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I'm such a chicken, that instead of a sweep, I asked for a vigorous cervical massage.

 

[Devaskyla]

Luna, just out of curiousity, how long did your mom & grandma's pregnancies go? Some women just got a bit longer. Also, average first time mom's have a pregnancy length of 41 weeks 3 days. I wish medical providers weren't so paranoid & freaked out over something that's not even really overdue. They shouldn't even be thinking of NST's and stuff until after 42 weeks. *sigh* I know that doesn't really help you, but it bugs me how many women are stressed by this stuff for no reason.<br><br>
Stress can contribute to you not going into labour. Personally, I'd go have a nice long bath/shower (whichever you prefer), spend some time relaxing & talking to your baby, let her know that it's safe to come out and you really want to meet her.

 

[filiadeluna]

<b>Malva</b> - yeah, still not sure about the castor oil, but I will consider it.<br><br><b>Multimomma</b> - isn't that the same thing? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/headscratch.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headscratch"><br><br><b>Devaskyla</b> - I have no idea about my grandma's pregnancies. She passed away several years ago, and my mom wouldn't know either. As for my mom, I am her only child & I was born <i>3 days</i> late. This baby is already <i><span style="text-decoration:underline;">12</span> days</i> late. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/bigeyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="bigeyes"><br><br>
Well, I've had some cramping and contractions since the sweep, but nothing entirely consistent yet. It seems they mostly happen when I'm lying down on my side. I have a feeling it might just do the trick, though.

 

[Multimomma]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>filiadeluna</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/13397078"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;"><b>Multimomma</b> - isn't that the same thing? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/headscratch.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headscratch"><br></div>
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Nope, with a sweep they actually insert a finger between the uterus and bag of waters, with a cervical massage, they just stick to rubbing the cervix and trying to flatten it out some. Which was enough for me <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"><br><br>
However, I was getting online to post that I had some bright red blood, so that's a positive sign. Irregular contractions, which is better than none at all...right?<br><br>
My mom AND my MIL both had early, tiny babies (like less than seven lbs, so i guess not too tiny, but my smallest was 7.5, and my biggest 11lbs), so I have no idea where these late, big babies come from. It's ridiculous that baby #8 is 12 days past my due date.

 

[UhOhWhatNow]

My DD isn't until Sunday, but I feel the pressure already- if he's not out by 42 weeks, I have to get an IV and be induced! UGH! I am SO scared of that.<br><br>
I really hope you go into labor tonight! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> I'll be sending good vibes!

 

[filiadeluna]

<b>Multimomma</b> - Ah, ok. Interesting. Well I hope it helps you! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> That does seem odd that after so many babies, this one would choose to hang out this long. I guess every mom/baby/situation is different though. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shrug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shrug"><br><br><b>UhOhWhatNow</b> - thanks! I hope you don't have to get induced, either. It's not a fun thing to go through from what I hear.<br><br>
I am starting to feel like I still have a chance, even with less than 2 days left. I've had some cramps and contractions every couple of hours when I'm lying on my side. Also, I lost some of my mucus plug just now! Woohoo! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/joy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="joy">:

 

[Multimomma]

Yay! Luna...what if we birth at the same time?! I'll totally be thinking of you all night! yay for equinox! 6:45 am in my time zone!

 

[herins]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>filiadeluna</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/13397801"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I am starting to feel like I still have a chance, even with less than 2 days left. I've had some cramps and contractions every couple of hours when I'm lying on my side. Also, I lost some of my mucus plug just now! Woohoo! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/joy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="joy">:</div>
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That sounds promising! Good luck!!!

 

[filiadeluna]

<b>Multimomma</b> - hope you're having better luck than I am! I had contractions yesterday, but none throughout the night or this morning. I am very upset.<br><br><b>herins</b> - thanks. I guess I got too excited. I now only have 24 hours to go into labor on my own. I will be absolutely devastated if the balloon catheter, etc, don't work and I end up needing Pitocin. If I have to take that it means more pain, no birth pool, and more restrictions on movement. I wanted a natural birth SO badly. It's not fair. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/gloomy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Gloomy">:

 

[She2dancer]

Luna, I am wishing you all the best!!! My DS waited until 42w5d to come along and that last week was the absolute hardest part of my entire pregnancy...<br><br>
My midwife suggested kiwi fruit and coconut water (not coconut milk)...so after she performed a sweep on Thursday (42w3d), I ate lots of kiwi (like 6 or 7) and a few cartons of coconut water on Thursday night...the next day I took one dose of blue and black cohosh (ate more kiwi and coconut water) and saw the acupuncturist...DS was born within 13 hours....<br><br>
I am pretty positive it was the acupuncture that actively got labor started (I had been having contractions daily for over a week and a half), but who knows....<br><br>
In regards to the mother/grandmother/late babies...my mom went to 44wks with one of my brothers and 46weeks (!!!) with another (her 3rd and 4th)...my sister went to 43w1d with my youngest niece (her 5th child)...so I happen to agree with the runs in the family thing <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"><br><br>
Good luck - I am sending you good labor vibes!!!! (can you go for a nice vigorous walk??? with some squatting involved? When my contractions started getting 10-15mins apart, I went shopping and purposely squatted to look on the bottom shelves at things...it seemed to really help get things moving...<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">)

 

[UhOhWhatNow]

There's always a chance! The plug and the contractions/cramps are a great sign hon!! I'm sending all the labor vibes I can!

 

[herins]

I'll be sending you all my labour vibes today!!!

 

[filiadeluna]

Thanks again, ladies! I ran some last-minute errands today: dropped off DVDs, picked up contacts, bought snacks for the hospital, etc. I picked up some castor oil, too, but it says to take on an empty stomach.<br><br>
I guess I'll have to wait a few hours, b/c I ate a big chicken salad around an hour ago. I really, really am not looking forward to drinking it, but anything is better than induction, so I'll grin & bare it. I am desperate. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"><br><br>
I DTD with DH this morning. Hoping that will help some, but who knows. Still losing a lot of mucus, but no more contractions today. Just a little bit of very mild cramps at times. I went into the nursery this morning, and reorganized some of her clothes. I talked to baby asking her to please come on her own (and ASAP), but she doesn't seem to be listening. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="roll">

 

[Multimomma]

Luna<br><br>
Here's hoping that you went into labor overnight and you had a beautiful birth today!

 

[mom2tatum]

hoping you are going to meet your baby soon, Luna! Thinking of you and hoping you get a birth somewhat close to what you want.