40 weeks, 5 days

Brownie_222

Here I am!

I was induced with #1 at 41 weeks.  I have until 42 to go into labor naturally before my birth center/CNMs refer me to their cooperating OB.  At 41(ish) weeks they will start talking about castor oil, which I would like to avoid.

This week has featured: sex, membrane sweep, bouncing on birth ball, Indian food, Scalini's famous eggplant parmesan, Mexican food, EPO vaginally, RRL tea, walking, baby come out MP3, driving over railroad tracks, pineapple and cowbell (per Christopher Walken). I may be forgetting some other things but that covers the bulk of it.  Have had some contractions on and off but nothing timeable or very intense.

If I make it to my 41 week appt on Tuesday I'm going to ask about using my breast pump.  Does anyone know what the standard protocol is there?  One side or both, how long, etc?  I know you can overstimulate so I am just wondering what is safe to do. 

This will be a post and run because DS is down for a nap and I am going to use the time "wisely."  

ETA:  Have also done chiro and acupuncture.  Moxa scheduled for Tuesday. 

nicoleanderic

Well it sounds like you are doing about everything!  Talking about using your breast pump have you just tried manual nipple stimulation??  Sometimes these LO's just are on there own schedule!!!  Good luck!!

lostaspen

Sounds like me when I was pregnant with DS!  I tried everything.  Maybe you just bake babies longer than most :-)  Hope he comes out on his own before next week!   GL!

Brownie_222

nicoleanderic:

have you just tried manual nipple stimulation??  

Just what comes with sex, with maybe some extra attention.  I'm not sure how long to do it for and that sort of thing?

Thanks to you both for the good vibes! 

nosoup4u

Holy cow, I think you have it covered . I was going to suggest acupuncture, but it looks like you've tried it, too. You still have a week, maybe hold off on castor oil until the veeeery last minute? The breast pump sounds like a good plan. Good luck and sending you "baby come out!" vibes!!

cchill01

This is my worst fear, since I had my induction at 42wks.  I'm wishing you loads of labor dust.

Brownie_222

cchill01:

This is my worst fear, since I had my induction at 42wks.  I'm wishing you loads of labor dust.

You know, I am feeling pretty okay about things (right now).  I know that if I make it there and we induce, it wasn't because I left a stone unturned.  I didn't do most of this stuff with my first, so I had some lingering doubt about things I "could" have done.  I don't think I'll have the same "could haves" this time if I have a similar outcome.  My CNMs have been so caring and supportive and encouraging my whole pregnancy...and continue to be, and that alone has made this a better experience for me.  I will definitely be disappointed if I don't have a spontaneous labor, and I think I'd be pretty bummed if I didn't get to VBAC, but at the end of the day I'll know I did everything I could.  All that said, I really hope that baby decides he/she's ready and gets things going in the next week.   

Harper'smom

I've been keeping an eye out for an update from you. It sounds like you are in a good place mentally right now, don't let the waiting game wear you down. I am sending you lots of "baby come soon" vibes.

BlinkingLight1

I did nipple stimulation at home starting around 41 weeks. I would do about 5 minutes on each side and then take a break. I would get contractions while I was pumping and then they'd go away

When I went to the hospital for induction (at 42w5d) they let me use the breast pump first to see if it would put me into labor. There, I used a double pump 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for 8 hours. Looking back, I don't think I would have gone that long and frequently if I'd been home, but they were monitoring the baby so I felt better about it.

I hope you go into labor soon!!! 

BlinkingLight1

Brownie_222:

cchill01:

This is my worst fear, since I had my induction at 42wks.  I'm wishing you loads of labor dust.

You know, I am feeling pretty okay about things (right now).  I know that if I make it there and we induce, it wasn't because I left a stone unturned.  I didn't do most of this stuff with my first, so I had some lingering doubt about things I "could" have done.  I don't think I'll have the same "could haves" this time if I have a similar outcome.  My CNMs have been so caring and supportive and encouraging my whole pregnancy...and continue to be, and that alone has made this a better experience for me.  I will definitely be disappointed if I don't have a spontaneous labor, and I think I'd be pretty bummed if I didn't get to VBAC, but at the end of the day I'll know I did everything I could.  All that said, I really hope that baby decides he/she's ready and gets things going in the next week.   

You have an amazing attitude!! You've got this girl

iris427

I did nipple stim for a few evenings before I had my VBAC.  I did 30 minutes--15 on each side.