I really need some help please, I dont know how much longer i can take this......?

Question

Ok, first off I am 37 weeks but my baby measures full term. Every dr I have seen has said he is a big boy!

For the past 4 days i have been having contractions. I woke up the first morning and they were 15 minutes apart by the time I wen to sleep they were 4-5 minutes apart. I woke up the next morning and my contractions started all over again about 15 minutes apart. that has been happening for the last 4 days. My nights are getting harder and harder to sleep through becasue my contractions are more painful now. I am extremely exauhsted from one the pain and two not getting good enough sleep. I have been drinking lots and lots of water eating atleast every two hours.......

What do i do to have this baby, I cant go get my membranes stripped because i am only 37 weeks, I will NOT take castor oil and I have been doing tons and tons of walking and this baby still has not come..............

any other ideas?

these are NOT braxton hicks, and for those of you who misunderstood they intensify as my day goes on through my sleep but by 6 or so in the morning they start over at aroiund 15 minutes again.

And for those of you who are curious. I will be induced on march 30th......
And I know they are not braxton hicks becasue they are regular contractions, my dr said I am in the first stage of labor.......that being the contractions and dialtion. i am already dialated 2 cm.

Answer 1

if the baby measures full term, he may be ready to be delivered. some babies develop faster than others. i am also 37 weeks and my baby is full term. i am being induced next friday if i do not go into labor by then. so the growth thing is perfectly normal.


as far as the contractions go... if this is your first baby, you may be in the early stage of labor where your cervix thins out and dilates to three centimeters. this process may take hours to days to happen. some people walk around dilated 3 centimeters for a week. early labor can stop and then start again a few days later. i know that it is frustrating, but it is all the process of birth. its not fun and at times it can be aggravating. if this goes on for another day or two, i would call the doctor and speak to him about your options. if he wont strip your membranes at 37 weeks, i dont know why. babies are considered full term at 37 weeks. if the pain gets that bad, i would bypass your doctor and go to the hospital and tell maternity what is going on and see what they think. your doctor may not always be right and if you feel that you need to go, then go. your body is good for giving you signals as to when it is time. your doctor cannot tell you what you feel when you feel it. he can only go by what he learned from experience and in school.

to try to put yourself in active labor what you can try to do is have sex.. i know a lot of people say castor oil, but i agree with you 100%. it is not good for you or the baby. all that does is give you diahhrea. when your bowels are irritated, it irritates your uterus and causes it to contract. but it can also make the baby pass his meconium in utero which can make him very sick if he swallows it. i would take a hot shower, make love to your spouse, walk, take another shower and keep on your feet. this will help the baby move down more and cause your contractions to come more frequent. he will come when he is ready, and if nothing works, like i said before, if it is that bothersome, go to the hospital. maybe the doctor there may have some better advice for you.

I hope this helps you at all. Good Luck and Congrats on your little one!

Answer 2

Have sex!!! I never thought that this would work but when I was one week until my due date and miserable as all get out, I was absolutely desperate. I didn't even want to be touched, let alone in "that" way, but I toughened up and my boyfriend and I did the deed. A couple hours later, my water broke. Other things you could try is go for a ride down a bumpy road in the car, this worked for my mother in law. Or... and I know this sounds weird, but I've read that it works and NOT to do it until you're full term, stimulate your nipples... do it every day and often... it makes the uterus contract. Other than that.. maybe you can talk to your doctor about inducing you... I really do understand... that last month of pregnancy really really sucks. But... I can assure you that once your son is born it will all seem like a haze and nothing but being with him will matter. You'll soon forget how horrible you feel right now. So.. good luck, and don't worry, it'll all be over soon!

Answer 3

I am very sorry you are so terribly uncomfortable, I know we all sympathize. Unfortunately, you just have to keep toughing it out. There really isn't anything you can do to make him come out. Your little boy is just going to do this on his own schedule no matter what you do. Many people will swear by walking, but my doctor said they only tell women this to keep them busy and to get them to change positions during labor. I use to believe in the sex thing until they recently published a bunch of articles discrediting the theory. There is supposedly a chemical in the male sperm that is also found in what doctors give you to induce labor, but now they have found that there is not enough of this chemical in sperm to do any good. The other thing is having an orgasm, this is suppose to stimulate contractions, but you are already having them so I don't know how this would help. Sorry to be a downer, but I just don't think there is anything to do but wait.
Good luck and I truly hope you are holding your son soon.

Answer 4

At 37 weeks they can and sometimes will induce labor, especially if the baby is big or if the Mom is having complications. Have you talked to your Dr. about inducing labor? When your contractions are about 4 - 5 minutes apart, show up at the hospital where you plan to have your baby. Tell them you are having contractions and they will hook you up to a monitor. Maybe that is one way you can get admitted to the hospital. If they don't admit you, ask one of the maternity nurses what you can do, they are often the best source of information. Good Luck.

Answer 5

First, have you called your doctor or Labor and Delivery dept to get recommendations? Delivering at 37 weeks isn't something terrible. I am 28 weeks now, and I have to call the doctor/L&D Dept for everything because I am showing signs of Pre-eclamsia.

My OB always said that once the contractions hit the 4-5 min range to call in, maybe you can "cheat" and call in to inform them when they actually are 4-5 min apart as opposed to when they are 15 min. They are more likely to think you are in full blown labor initially. If you aren't progressing they may end up administering Oxytocin (Pitocin) to help strengthen your contractions. Also, have you checked the whole "Fetal Movement" count? Meaning is the baby moving at least 10 times in 2 hours?

Answer 6

Thats the way it starts. It could be a day or 2 or you may still have a week or more the best thing to do is to just let nature take its course. I have heard and seen what happens when you induce labor yourself it comes on HARD and PAINFUL!!! I dont suggest trying anything to help it along except for walking. Good Luck!!

Answer 7

I hate to tell you this, but the baby will come when he/she is ready. I know you feel miserable (I've been there!), but it's best for the baby to stay in as close to 40 weeks as possible. Walking didn't work for me, and neither did spicy foods and all the other "tips" people tried to tell me. Just hang in there and try to relax! I know it's easier said than done, but you've got plenty of work cut out for you after the baby comes!!



How do you know they are not Braxton Hicks??

Answer 8

i think you may be having Braxton Hicks contractions since they seem to quiet down in the evening and return when you wake up. Stop trying so hard to have this baby....the more running around you do, the harder the BH contractions will be...try taking the day off of work and resting for a day or two. I dont think this is 'real labor' yet. try and save your energy for THAT!

Answer 9

When you are having consistent, strong contractions, try this.
My doctor swore by it.
Just make sure some one is close by, in case.

When contracting, take a HOT SHOWER.
Aim the water at your lower back and all over your chest, in particular.
He said it intensifies and speeds up contractions to kick start labor (if thats what you want).

Answer 10

My contractions didn't come until the end of my pregancy - bad pains...have you tried the breathing (panting like a dog), did help me...good luck! Wish that I had better answer for you - LOL