Need help going into labor!!!?

Question

I am just over 40 weeks with my 2nd and am scheduled to be induced tommorrow night, however I was hoping to avoid that whole ordeal. I am 3cm dilated (although she said that she can open me to a 5 on exam) and completely thinned. I have been having some contractions (like 1-2 per hour) for the last few days but can't get them to come on strong. I have literally tried everything that I can think of to being on labor and was wondering if there are any other ideas out there that I had not heard of. These are the ones that I have tried...Sex (and lots of it since that is the one everyone says works the best), Nipple stimulation (every 10 min till contraction starts for an hour and using a breast pump), Castor oil, fleets enema, lots of walking, eggplant parmigiana, spicy food warm baths and showers, going for a bumpy car ride, watching a funny movie and I have had my membranes stripped 3 times. I need more ideas - as you can see I am pretty much willing to try anything!!!

The doctor said that she wants to induce b/c she is afraid that they baby is too large for me to deliver and that is the reason I have not gone into labor on my own - that if we try an induction and that doesn't work she will know to do a c-section. NOt sure if that is for real or just an excuse. She let me go over a week past with my first, but we also knew he was small from the u/s. This u/s indicates she could be quite large.

Answer 1

I notice nobody has suggested this, and I cant say if it works or not, but you can try! I got a pregnancy massage a few weeks ago and the girl told me that she couldn't rub my ankles because they were a natural reflexology point to induce labor... apparently massaging your ankles around the bones stimulates contractions... it could be worth looking up online... Anything helps, right??

Answer 2

I tried pretty much everything you have, but I also tried acupuncture (I lost my plug after it but didn't go into labor). My chiropractor did it, and he said normally he had 100% success rate. Guess my baby just wasn't ready yet! The BEST BEST BEST advice I could give you is to refuse the induction. It sounds like your body is ready, and it is generally safe to wait until 42 weeks to go into labor, it is safer than putting your baby through the stress of an induction. I refused my induction, and after thinking I would never go into labor, I did 7 days after my due date. Refusing it was the best decision I made, of course I cried every day because I wanted to have the baby but I didn't want them to make me go into labor with drugs, know what I mean? I honestly think it will be very soon for you. Yeah, and sex does help speed things up... But just think of it as enjoying your last bit of pregnancy, it will be a while after the baby before that happens again, and when it did, my son would always start screaming as soon as my husband and I started kissing.

Research: I did a lot of this when I went "overdue". ACOG as an organization does not see induction as necessary in most cases. In reality, OB makes more money on an induction, it is more convenient for them, and liability drives much of the practice these days. Here are some statements from ACOG's pamphlet on induction.
"If keeping a pregnancy going is more of a risk than delivering the baby, then labor may be induced." Do you have any risks? If not, you are better off waiting.
They also say induction may be indicated if "Your pregnancy is postterm (more than 42 weeks)." You're not postterm yet girl! You are not required to consent to any treatment that you are uncomfortable with.

Answer 3

If you're really having your doubts, get a second opinion. I probably would in this situation. You can also still change doctors.

This does seem suspect though because if you can't deliver it now because of the size, then you won't be able to deliever it in a few days because of the size, so why induce? If there is no danger to you or the baby by waiting, and you would prefer to wait, then you should wait.

Good Luck to you, this is a tough situation. I do wish you a good labor and delivery no matter what you decide.

Answer 4

Looks like you have tried everything. Unfortunately the baby will come when he or she is ready and only then, unless induced. My doctor highly recommends that a women goes into labor on her own and has said that she would let me go until 42 weeks. if you really want to do this on your own then talk to your doctor about giving you some more time. GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

Get into a warm bath tub and try the nipple stimulation for as long as you can stand to. That worked for me. Dont stop just cus the contractions get closer, keep going for at least 30 minutes. And an orgasm will help the process out too. Good luck

Answer 6

When my cousin was pregnant and she was only 3cm I had driven to VA for my goddaughter's birth. I was determined to see my goddaughter before I left. I took my cousin to the mall and walked her as much as I could. Even when she felt tired I made her walk. I parked at the very end of the parking lot and we walked. I made her walk up and down stairs. In between we took car rides. We started at about 9:00am and by 6:00am the next morning my goddaughter was here.

Answer 7

wow...it really seems like ur baby is not ready to come out. Why are they inducing you?? U know that u can refuse induction. Just wait til ur baby comes naturally. It can't be too much longer. Hang in there.

Answer 8

Looks like you've got most of them. I've also heard that fennel works. Also try raspberry tea- not raspberry FLAVORED tea, the real stuff.

Good luck- hopefully, you'll be on your way to the hospital in no time!

Answer 9

I've heard that Raspberry herbal tea sometimes does the trick...apparently it has a chemical in it that helps the uterus to contract...it has to be real raspberry tea....not flavored, I don't know for sure if it works as I never had to try it myself.

Answer 10

Sounds like you (and baby) are ready. If you don't go in labor on your own by tomorrow night, I don't think it's going to take much intervention.
Good luck!
P~