Dont Want a 3Rd Induction!

No doubt!!! Pitocin is AWFUL. I was 9.5 centimeters and expected in the next half hour (my nurse was pissed that she was going to miss the birth while she was on her lunch) when a relief nurse came in and shot me up without my knowing. 8 hours later...my gawd...I've been tortured by professionals...and it's hard for me to decide which was more painful. Ugh. There's a reason why the uterus is supposed to squeeze DOWN and not from every direction until AFTER the baby is born and nursing. Ouch.

The only suggestion I have is this: Why not wait? You have at LEAST 2 more weeks, and in all honesty...4 weeks. I know a ton of Mum's who've delivered at 41-42 weeks. And they all had little'uns...6-8 pounds.

I mean...is there a medical reason not to wait until the normal time...or is your OB just antsy or likes to "schedule"?

Well, I have two suggestions. Switch to a healthcare provider that respects your body more than their schedule and second wait.
At almost 38 weeks you may be considered full term, but still more than 2 weeks away from your due date. I would not even consider an induction until 42 weeks (unless there are any true medical indications).
It's ok to keep on walking and other kinds of natural stimulation (acupuncture, yoga...) - those methods are not meant to be instant, but will help get you ready for labor.
Good luck!

Who is doing your care? WHY did they induce before? Induction can be really really dangerous and often leads to other interventions( complications)

Did you know first off that the average length of gestation is more like 42 weeks when you leave it alone? ( this is including those folks like me who usually have theirs @ 38 or so, so many women go longer)

Also the weeks are figured by most practicioners based on menstual cycles, thing is this is figuring that the mom ovulates @ 12-14 days. Many women ovulate more like day 21 or even 30 or more. This of course messes up the timing.

The biggest problem with induction ( when it works ) is that baby is a whole month early, when they are off that is usually by how much.

With that said there are a # of things that can help baby not be " postdate"

One is that often baby does not come since baby wants to be in a better position first, in fact much prodomal labor ( non progressing labor) is actually mom's body attempting ( and it is often successful) to help move baby into a better position. Of course @ this point often women are induced for lack of progress and then forced to birth with baby in a less than optimal position.

To remedy the positioning issue there are several things that can help. - Do hands and knees pelvic rocks, at least 100 3 times a day.- go to a craniosacral therapist and have them encourage a good postion for baby. Do not sit with your knees above your hips and do not lay down that way either. Some Chiropractors also are trained to do the Webster tech. which helps encourage a good position for baby.

Look on line for diagrams, there are pressure points that help stimulate labor on your hands and ankles. So does thumb sucking, and some of the things you mentioned, sex, nipple stimulation and so on. These things will not work however if the issue is baby needs more time. The last few weeks each day makes a huge difference in development and bottom line is some babies just need the extra time to be the healthiest. Make sure you are getting a minimum of 80 grams of protein a day to help baby have enough.

You also might visualize the date you want baby to come, talk to you body and you baby about it. Work out any fears and have things you need for baby ready so that you are not holding back emotionally, that can make a real difference.

I would also read more about induction in the book "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" Another book that has ideas about getting labor going is " Spiritual Midwifery"

Avoiding induction may be as simple as saying "no thank you" to it. You have other options even if it means changing care.

There are lots of other options too depending on how interventive you want things to be. Mostly I think being patient is the best policy.

Hope some of this helps. You can also email me if you want to know more ( I used to be a childbirth educator) ____@____.com

( YOu are due 1 week before me!)

Hopefully you have had or are in the process of having lil baby. If not, I am studying to become a midwife. Your best bet is to walk. alot. just keep walking. I was in laboe for three weeks with my third. i would start and then not get anywhere. they would just keep giving me morphine and sending me home finally two days before my due date i went in and that was that they broke my water and i started moving along by myself. You could possible ask to have your membranes stripped or ask for them to brake your water. /usually once your water is broken things progress. slowly at times but a start is a start. good luck! the third i think is the easiest!!!!

You can try acupuncture! I have no personal experience, but there is information out there. It's worth looking into.

I agree with Ina. You aren't even close to needing an induction, so don't even rush it. I went almost 2 weeks past my due date to avoid an induction, and I'm glad I did. It's hard not to want to get that baby outta there, but let it be--she'll come out when she's good and ready. Recent studies show that babies not allowed to go to 40 full weeks have weaker lungs. Treat yourself to something nice while you can (well, as much as you can with a 2 yo running around).

Best,

AMD