I am 37 weeks pregnant and have been having off and on contractions for the past 2 weeks. I'm on bedrest unitl I deliver, and was told that if and when I do go into labor the doctors will not try to stop it, since they tried and nothing happened. This has been very frustrating for me. I only dilated 1cm so far. Is there anything I can do to help speed this along? Anything other than castor oil?
2007-03-12 15:46:37 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
hello! contractions on and off... dilating slowly... you sound very familiar... like you are in labor.. or what some term pre-labor, latent labor..... so relax... you are there... ! :)
I can relate to where you are... been there many times over....
I was put on bedrest the last five weeks of my first pregnancy... the last eight weeks of my second.. I lost my third (twins so fourth too) premature labor.... the fifth they tried.... I was very defiant by then and only stayed as long as the baby needed to grow (at 37 I went off!)..... It had taken all those pregnancies to realize something key to me...and a few others... you might fall into this category;
I labor slow and stupid... lol... I feel like i am at some sort of recovery meeting here.... ;)
but it is true.. my body does go into the preterm, on again off again contractions.... and it is important to know the limits.. I listened to my doctors the first pregnancies because I did not know safety-wise when the baby would be "ready" and my doctors always stopped my labor....
at some point they realized and I had already realized.. but being the "mommy" as opposed to expert listened to them... "they" would know better.. right? naw.. not always.... so.... here is what I can tell you....
go ahead and walk around if you are allowed.. as long as the baby is out of danger and the drs are saying you are term, they won't stop labor? you are good to go.... I found for me that when the baby was ready, with keeping to cleaning, cooking, walking around, and soaking in the tub for two to three hours a day (nice hot as you are allowed ones... ) it took one week of the stupid on/off/on/off/on contractions before it kicked into full blown active!
activity and relaxation those are key... non-stress... biggest! which is why the walking, soaking... sex even if you are comfortable... all good ones... worrying about "when, how soon, how much longer" those are the hinderers.... those actually have the tendency to stall you out... believe it or not.. stressing, worrying can stop a labor just as easily as it can a period from happening... remember that and breathe next time you feel yourself tensing.... and remember we hold the stress even if we do not realize it... which is why it is always good to do some focusing and relaxation techniques..... I know how difficult it is.... but just think about that perfect little angel you will hold soon.... yes, soon... remind yourself if you have to... look thru the books on babies you have... go check the nursery and make sure it is just "right" or your room... if like me, that is where the little ones go... anything that keeps you from "dwelling" and you will soon feel those contractions... and know that even if it takes another three weeks of iritating pain? (it is not intense... just crampy... and more painful feeling as we get cranky... and tired of them... ) they are doing something.. even if it takes longer then it does for others......
like other answerers I am begging you... do NOT try the oil... oh... you know what? I have not had it in years but I can still taste it! and it did nothing... each time I tried it (two pregnancies it was suggested so I did) all that happened was a lot of pain... and intestinals.... eww... and it was upwards of three weeks before I held a baby for that.... not worth it....
your baby will come when he or she is ready... not one darned minute before.... how do I know?
I have taken castor oil.... I have even taken the cohoshes.... and others... I have stood on my head.. walked miles on end... and had sex so much the last month of pregnancy I thought I might end up pregnant on top of it! lol... ok.. no.. I knew I couldn't... just a joke there... ;>
I will go one further and tell you activity is good.. don't go overboard.... my mom, grandmother, aunts all had me convinced that the harder I worked at the on the feet bit, scrubbing floors... oh, spicy foods... they help.. in moderation... just like in the indulging in our favorites is "moderation" to keep the weight off... do not go and tire yourself...
I scrubbed floors, cleaned out fridges, cupboards, cabinets, closets, rooms, storage areas and a garage the first pregnancy from the day the dr said ok.. we won't stop the labor if it starts again you can be off rest.... you are due... guess what? I did all that the first week... I did NOT have a baby to hold for two and a half more weeks.... I was in tears.... every night... even thought for almost fifteen years that something was wrong with my body... I did not dilate... and spent more time crying than laughing.... well... I do dilate... my body just does what others call braxton hicks and what some refer to as false labor to get from zero to three (or three and a half) then? well clear the room... cause it is fast! like within an hour or two I will be at seven.. and then it is a mere five minutes or less before the head crowns... my sixth I did not push.. I did everything to keep from pushing.. the vessels in his eyes ALL burst from the pressure at how fast he came out.... nope.. not cause of how many... cause I had no meds this time... so I was even faster...lol.. go figure.... anyway....
go by your own knowledge of you.... I get the burst to nest in my first and second trimester.. and then a clean it all disinfect at the end.... that does not mean everyone does... what I am suggesting is pay attention to anything "extra" you want to do.. feel the need to do.... even things you just did, or normally would just not with that "right now" attitude... those are your key...
I know it is soon (and by soon I mean last two days) cause I want to eat everything.. I could not eat enough.. and I tried to only eat a little.... but, the times I did that? I hindered labor...did not know I personally need it for the energy/double time work my body does..... listened to the don't eat whatever you do....
the last day I knew this time when I woke up... there was no pain the quiet before the storm... it had been weeks of contractions, aches, pains.. but? not a one... first time I had not been induced on my due date... so that part I was not prepared for.... and for two hours... after that I had an urge to get on my knees right before the first contraction came.. felt the same as the others.. a little more intense... it had stepped up to active.. an hour later? I was at the hospital.... it took three weeks to get there.... week 37-40... my due date was 11/22/05 I had my son on 11/25/05 (day after thanksgiving) on thanksgiving I was two and half centimeters and effaced/thinned.... I spent part of the night in the tub... and did light cleaning... and felt tired.... but calm inside.... not a bundle of nerves....
just look for your own cues.. they are there.... not the same as anyone elses....
I told you a lot of personal I know... I did that cause I know how frustrating it is.... and well.. maybe it will help if you have a fuller picture of how you do not need to do anything drastic... you are getting there... everyone has a different number (centimeter) that kicks to active from latent.... and there is nothing to get frustrated for.. really.....
you are doing great! everything (even the frustration!) is all part of labor....
all you have to do is rest, relax, prepare inside and out.. cause very soon that day will be here when your strength is needed....
just breathe and smile...
thank you for reading/listening to my longwinded answer...
I hope it has been of some assistance for you
good luck
breathe ;)
smile
2007-03-12 17:34:13 · answer #1 · answered by elusive_001 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Definitely stay away from the oil. You don't want diarrhea while giving birth. EEEHWW!
Here's what worked for me. I was 39 and 6, dilated at a 3 and 70% efaced. My husband rubbed my nipples the night before my due date and, literally, my water broke right there. Something about oxcytocin releasing.
Take it easy and let your body do as it wants. Nature really does do it best. No castor oil or anything crazy like that. Best of luck and hope it happens soon for you.
2007-03-12 22:56:50 · answer #2 · answered by sushishishi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the others. Don't bother with the orange juice/castor oil. It just gives you really a bad case of the runs. Unless you're over 41 weeks, your membranes have ruptured or you have pre-eclampsia, please don't try and rush your baby into the world. Your obstetrician obviously isn't too concerned or he would have booked you in for a ceasar by now. Good Luck!
2007-03-12 22:56:11 · answer #3 · answered by I Love My Job 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please do not take castor oil to speed up your labor. There is no approved method for speeding up labor. Your baby will come when s/he is ready, and not a moment before. I know it's hard, I've been there, but please be patient! Before you know it, your baby will be crawling all over the place. Good luck!
2007-03-12 22:49:52 · answer #4 · answered by Veruca Salt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well they say walkin helps..but they put you on bedrest for a reason..to keep that baby in there a little longer...try maybe having a hot bath or sex...
2007-03-12 23:12:33 · answer #5 · answered by BaZ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my kids mom was the same time as u are now... it was feb 13 and we wanted to have a valentine day baby... so i gently.. no porno style sex its dsngerous, but gently have long sex and than take a warm shower.. i promise it ll happen
2007-03-16 21:23:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I heard someone say eating lots of pineapple helps. Maybe you should look into that?
2007-03-13 00:07:03 · answer #7 · answered by Just Bianca 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know its frustrating but theres not really anything you can do besides being induced. Sorry.
2007-03-12 22:51:29 · answer #8 · answered by GAjen 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sex...Might be uncomfortable at a time like this, but it really works!
2007-03-12 22:50:41 · answer #9 · answered by Punkie Brewster 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sex
2007-03-12 23:03:51 · answer #10 · answered by ஐ♥Julian'sMommy♥ஐ 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋