natural birth mommas wwyd? (xp on nat birth bd) UPDATE

Erica92

So here's my situation. This is my 3rd pg (4th child since 1st pg was twins). My first was a c-section b/c baby A was breech. Delivery was pretty straight forward, water broke, went to hospital had section.

2nd pg I had a med-free VBAC which was awesome. Midwife stripped my membranes at my 38 week appt and I was in labor 24 hours later. Labored at home for about 5 hours before going to hospital and was 6cm. Stalled at 6/7cm for a few hours when they broke my water and a few hours later he was born'

Now Im 37 weeks with my 3rd pg and I have been in early labor for A WEEK. Was up ALL night last night and many other nights with ctx 2-3 min apart but never SO intense that I felt we shoould go to the hospital. I also had lots of bloody show and diareah.

Went to midwife this morning and I am 5cm dilated, 100% effaced and baby is 0 almost +1 station. She said I could continue to labor slowly like this for days-weeks OR I could come in tonight and she'll break my water.

Now my goal of course is a med-free birth and so the idea of an early intervention scares me BUT the idea of no sleep and constant ctx that hurt doesn't appeal to me either especially with twin 4 year olds and a 2.5 year old to take care of.

In addition the past 2 weeks I have lost 4 lbs (only gained about 15 lbs this pg and I was at a healthy weight to begin with) and my fundal height measured 34cm on Fri and only 30cm today. Now alot of that is probably b/c her head is so low but they are also a bit worried abut IUGR.

Would LOVE to hear opinions from other natural birth mommas on what they would do.

Mrs.Greeko

That's a really tough one.  Because if she breaks your water you HAVE to deliver at some point and what if it doesn't put you into active labor?  Then you are stuck with pitocin and potential C-section again.  There's a good chance it could put you into active labor, but there's also that chance that it won't.

That's crazy that you are at 5cm and not in active labor already though!!

I'm right there with you on not sleeping though.  I think I've gotten maybe 2-3 hours each night the past two nights between the cramping and heartburn and my older kids crying out in their sleep.  It's tough. 

If it was me making this decision I would probably wait it out, as much as it could potentially suck.  I'm pretty low intervention though.  I'll consent to membrane sweeps, but that's about it.  It doesn't sound like it will really be all that much longer for you anyway. 

MommaErica

I would not let anyone break my water at 37 weeks.  Once that's done, you HAVE to deliver within about a day, naturally or by c section.  If your baby isn't ready, she isn't ready.  Even though 37 weeks is considered term, there is still the risk of breathing problems.  If your due date is off, by even a day or two, you are NOT in fact even 37 weeks.  I get that it seems like labor is progressing but, there may be some very good reasons why it isn't progressing quickly.  It's irresponsible to force a baby to come at 37 weeks for no other reason than you are uncomfortable. ACOG would not approve and I'm surprised your midwife even offered.  Also, your odds of a natural med free birth experience go down significantly.  Sometimes labor is slow to progress, guess what, that's a NATURAL birth.  Once you force the process, you've bailed off "natural."

The smaller measurement is almost certainly due to the baby's low position.  However, if my care provider wasn't confident that was the reason and even raised the idea that IUGR was on her radar, I would demand a growth ultra sound to be sure.  Since your baby could be delivered now, I would not play wait and see with a problem potentially that serious.  I would want an answer.

Being well rested is super important.  Perhaps she can give you something to help you sleep for a night or two.  There are a number of things you can take, some natural some less natural, that won't pose a risk to your baby at this stage of the game, especially when you're looking at one or two nights. 

jkanyugi

If it were me, I would let her break the waters.  ONLY because you are already 5 cm dilated and I would guess that things would progress pretty quickly for you.  If you can stand waiting a few more days, go for it-but if you reached what you can tolerate that I would say go for it.  Your body is already progressing-its not like your cervix is closed.