How can I can start my labor and get this baby to move out??

Question

I am 37 weeks and I am sooooo tired of being pregnant. How can I get the labor to start? I'm not willing to try castor oil because it's not safe. I have been walking around and being as active as possible but my doctor hasn't even looked to see if I am dilated at all. So anything else I can do besides have sex? I can't stand the thought of being pregnant another 20 whole days..

Answer 1

Some doctors will induce early, a social induction, we have plenty of them at our hospital because of the patient population. Those last few weeks are really important as far as baby's readiness to out in the world. Just because their lungs are mature and they are over 6-7 lbs doesn't mean they are ready to be born. I am a postpartum nurse and I notice a significant difference between 36-38 weekers and babies that are 38-40 weeks, 40 weeks being the best of all. They are better, more efficient feeders, have better eating/sleeping patterns, they feel sturdier, their vital signs including temperatures are stable, they are calmer and happier to be in the world.

I know it's hard, believe me I know - my first two came early naturally (34 and 37 wks) but then I had a 40 wk 9 lb baby for my third child and he dropped so low I could barely walk or sleep that last week, I was miserable and huge. But he was by far the fattest, happiest baby and a good, efficient, content nurser. I feel it's worth it if you can hang in there.

Do NOT try castor oil - yes, it can work - but it works by stimulating bowel movements which release prostaglandins and can cause uterine contractions but you will have horrid cramps and spend time on the toilet. Plus, I actually had a woman whose baby had to go the NICU because he got septic due to fecal bacteria going up the birth canal - this woman had used castor oil to induce labor. Maybe a coincidence - but why take a chance!

Answer 2

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RE:
How can I can start my labor and get this baby to move out??
I am 37 weeks and I am sooooo tired of being pregnant. How can I get the labor to start? I'm not willing to try castor oil because it's not safe. I have been walking around and being as active as possible but my doctor hasn't even looked to see if I am dilated at all. So anything else...

Answer 3

With my first I was 11 days late. I knew he was going to end up a Halloween baby, but I was determined to see if I could get him to show up before that. My doctor tried to induce labor 5 times. And when that didn't work, I mowed the lawn. Pushing a mower around the yard probably wasn't the best idea in the world, so I wouldn't recommend it. Three days later, I went into labor at 2am on Halloween. All I can say is, you're gonna have to wait it out. Mike was almost 10lbs at birth, so I feel your pain. It sucks having to carry around that much weight for so long. After walking come home put your feet up, and make sure you drink lots of water. You need to stay hydrated. Good luck to you!

Answer 4

Be patient! I'll be 40 weeks on friday and still only 1-2 cent. dialated! I'm not progressing either and they said that if i don't have my little angel by 41 and a half weeks I get to have another c-section! Horray :-( (not) I know it doesn't answer your question but hey I'm going through the same thing so just wait it out! The baby will come when it's ready and if you try to force that baby out you can really hurt it!! P.S.- Sex and walking don't work! I've been doing that almost everyday! So what does that tell ya??

Answer 5

i have been a labor and delivery nurse for 12 years, and i have seen it all. believe me, there is nothing that will put you into labor until your body is good and ready. i have seen women walk all day for two days and get nothing but tired. and castor oil will give you horrible runs. semen does have a small amount of prostaglandin (which is one agent that can stimulate labor) in it, but my experience is that none of the things people tell you to do work unless your body was just about there anyway.

that said, you have my sympathy. i had been a labor and delivery nurse for five years before i got pregnant. i think i started crying at about 35 weeks and i didn't stop too much until i delivered-- 8 days late. in retrospect, the best advice i can give you is like a lot of what is above. take care of yourself. get lots of rest, drink lots of fluids, eat good food. try to distract yourself with anything that works. shopping (if you are up to it), tv, crafts, visiting with friends, whatever. try to keep yourself as comfortable as possible. i know that it can be a very daunting prospect to be facing three weeks when you don't know how you are going to make it through the next 12 hours. but you are stronger than you think. you will make it. just remember who you are doing it for.

good luck.

Answer 6

what i did was went to Wal-Mart (you can use any 24 hour store)
and walked for as long as i could stand it (i walked 9 hours)
come home take a warm bath shave your legs, wash your hair (in the tub) get out dry off and dress
(while you were at the store you should buy a ball like a soccer or basket ball)
after the bath and dressing squat down and bounce on the ball for about 15 min at at time then just sit on it for 5 then bounce again for about 5-6 times.
within 24 hours you should go into labor!
after you bounce if you want to add some extra help to it you can get on your and and knees and scrub the floors with a brush and rag.
(i had all 3 of my boys at 37-38 weeks)(they were all happy and healthy) (the nurses all said they were the best babys they had had in a long time)

Answer 7

I did Castor oil with all three of my boys at 38 weeks because they were large babies it worked great for me besides my diarrhea all was good and within 6hours I was in Labor. My Doctor told me to do it with my 1st child and then I just did with my other 2 because it works I took 4tbs mixed with 2ounces of orange juice. I think the only Harm in it for me Was I should have been closer to the hospital for my last one , After the Castor oil he was born 3 hours later

Answer 8

You know what... I tried a lot of things too... I walked and walked! I wasnt willing to try castor oil either. I was too scared. The only other thing I can tell you is next week is ask your doctor to strip your membranes and in the mean time have sex. I know its hard at the end but it does make you dilate faster. It did for me. But I had to get my membranes stripped a couple of times before it worked with the second child... and with my first it only took one time... the next day my water was leaking! Thats my personal experience... I know it sucks.

Answer 9

Don't do anything to start labor your only 37 weeks. Although its quite safe for your baby to be born at this stage your better of just leaving nature to take its course.

Answer 10

I had a friend who went clubbing, danced the night away, went home to a night of lovin' w/ her husband and had the baby the next day. Another friend went running around the block until she couldn't do it anymore. She had the baby a few hours later. Whatever you do, be careful. Enjoy the little time you have left. Once the baby is here, you will have middle of the night feedings, teething, crying, nosy relatives that know everyting, etc... Good luck!