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Natural Birth
LadyXaverian
member
XP: Baby's eviction date :(
LadyXaverian
member
At my hospital, they won't let you go past 41 weeks without getting baby out. Today was my 39 week appointment, and sadly, I'm still showing NO signs of anything. My cervix is still high, posterior, hard/thick, and closed. Bummer. So, we put a tenative date for a c-section on the calendar for the last minute.
Thursday, April 14th.
I'll be 40 weeks, 6 days.
Of course, if my cervix softens, drops, opens at all between now and then but baby still doesn't come on her own, we'll induce instead of having a c-section.
The absolute best case scenario is that I will go into labor on my own.
Anyone else have doctors making them feel like a freak for showing no progress at this point?
Any BTDT Moms have some encouraging words about having an 'unfavorable' cervix late in the game but still going into labor on their own?
I could use a pep talk because I'm feeling a little down about having a "c-section" scheduled when it's the absolute, complete opposite of the birth experience I was hoping for.
Our sweet girl is 3!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: XP: Baby's eviction date :(
April Fools as in am I playing a joke or April Fools maybe baby will surprise us all?
I assure you I am not kidding, but maybe the joke will be on my doctor if I go into labor in the next hour and a half. lol
Wedding 6.18.04 Cole 11.20.06 Gavin 3.31.08 Parker 07.15.10 Logan 04.03.12
I guess I'm worried because my doctor has me a little psyched out. He is acting like with the condition of my cervix, even at this point, that the probability of me going into labor on my own is slim. I know that it is still possible, so I posted this in hopes of hearing stories from 2nd time moms who had a similar experience i.e. were showing no signs of progress at 39 weeks but still went into labor on their own.
The scheduled c-section is "penciled in" for my hospital's "will not go past" date (41 weeks). It will only happen if I make no progress between now and then. I guess I could have put off putting it on the calendar until my 40 week appointment, but I didn't really think it made much difference. Either way, it's scheduled for the last possible minute.
ETA: Also, I posted it here on this board because I've been preparing for a natural birth with Hypnobirthing. I realize how silly it seems to have these concerns with 2 weeks to go. I guess I'm just letting my doctor get in my head a little too much.
He knows my natural birth plan and is good with it. All of the precautionary planning is just getting to me, I suppose.
Wedding 6.18.04 Cole 11.20.06 Gavin 3.31.08 Parker 07.15.10 Logan 04.03.12
Tenatively c-section because my Bishop scale score is a flat zero. From all I've been able to gather through my reading and from what he tells me, an induction with a high, hard, closed cervix is highly likely to end in an emergency c-section in the end.
I suppose I need to weigh the pros and cons of attempting an induction if my cervix is still at a zero when I hit 41 weeks. Does anyone have any thoughts/feelings about this? Would you attempt an induction knowing the odds of success are slim? Am I wrong that the odds of success would be slim?
Maybe he has pulled the wool over my eyes. We've talked about natural birth at great length and he has been very supportive of all my preferences. He continues to say things like, "I hope these plans are unnecessary" and "I hope you get the natural birth you've been planning for".
Maybe I just need to sleep on it. I do have a week before my next appointment, and anything could happen between now and then.
Thanks.
Wedding 6.18.04 Cole 11.20.06 Gavin 3.31.08 Parker 07.15.10 Logan 04.03.12
Sorry you're going through this and already feeling helpless and anxiety ridden.
Not sure about specifics, but I know there are some exercises, stretches etc that can help to bring baby down and induce labor naturally.
I also believe sex, and nipple stimulation can bring on labor.
What about acupuncture? Seems like quite a few women here resort to that for natural induction. And lots of walking, too.
Good luck and I hope your LO decides to come out soon on their own!
Sorry my answers are a bit vague, but its just what Ive learned from reading other posts here, so I dont want to give any mis-information.
I think it is crazy to schedule a c-section NOW. Your body can do amazing things and dilation/effacement don't mean much now. Why not wait until you're actually past 40 weeks to worry about it? I've heard of women walking around 4 cm for weeks and others being closed up tight and going into labor that night. I would refuse internals until you are past your due date. I didn't get a single one until I was in labor. What's the point if it's going to f with your mind like this?
A lot can happen in two weeks but it seems by your doctor bringing that up he is setting you up for negativity/doubt in your body (obviously you are feeling that) and in no way helping you out. I get the Bishop score reasoning, I really do, but I would always (personally) at least try an induction before doing a c-section. Even if I had only a 10% chance of it working. With a scheduled c-section you have 0% chance of a vaginal birth. If that doesn't bother you, that's cool- but it doesn't sound like your wish.
Ditto PP- have lots of sex, exercise, think positive thoughts and stop worrying about it. Also they cannot force you to be induced/sectioned automatically at 41 weeks. You can just not show up or ask for a few more days.
I hope you get the experience you want and try to stay positive.
Loss #6 2014 Loss #7 (chemical) 2014
~DS Born! 2009~
~DD Born! 2013~
Positive story: I went in to my OB's office where I was seeing a CNM when I was pregnant with my daughter. At 38 and 39 weeks I was 'fingertip' dilated and 75% effaced, which wasn't much. I had my baby on time, spontaneous labor.
Especially with your first baby, a week before your EDD it's normal to have no real progress. Also, remember that things like dilation are subjective: a fingertip to one person is more to another depending on the size of their hand. My point being: it really and truly means nothing. If *I* were *you* I would cancel my c/s and tell the OB that IF you get to 41 weeks you'll discuss whether you want to try an induction or opt for a c/s. The c/s on the books, so to speak, would totally stress me out.
I just want to say I totally understand your concern. I just found out I have gestational diabetes which probably means an induction at 40 weeks if I don't go into labor on my own. That is 9 weeks away and I am already freaked!
As for a positive story, I know that when my mom was pregnant with me, she went to the doctor, they told her she had at least another week (don't know the details) and her water broke that night and she had me by that afternoon. I think they gave her pit or something to bring on contractions, but she had me naturally.
Good luck and keep us posted!!
Ugh, Sarah, I'm sorry you are going through this stress. I can't believe they won't let you go past 41 weeks. Most first babies are born a few days past that! This is one of those things that drive me nuts about medicalized birth.
I bet you anything your Bishop score won't be zero at 41 weeks. I agree with pp that EPO is a good idea, it can't hurt.
Personally, I would try the induction. I would regret not giving it a try, I think.
ok, wait a sec...
your bishop is zero because it is not time for your baby to be born yet. i would expect a zero score at this point. well actually, i wouldn't even check a woman at 39 weeks. the info gained from the exam is useless.
they will not let you go past 41 weeks at that hosp? can you find a hosp that will? i would run screaming from a dr that scheduled a c/s for me at my 39 week appt. that is totally absurd. what is his/her rationale for having a c/s? why not induce, like other pp's have said? RED FLAG! are you having a VBAC? this person does not sound natural birth friendly at all! i'm sorry that they tricked you into thinking that they were.
please please please think this over very carefully. i would make a list of questions and go back in to talk to your dr. do not have a c/s for no reason.
did you know all along that this particular dr schedules c/s for women who are not ripe at 39 weeks? also, did you know that they don't allow anyone to go past 41 weeks?
get on EPO, i would be breaking the capsules and inserting them vaginally. also get on some cell salts, go to health food store and ask them to show you. make an appt for a chiro and acupunture, if you can. i would do everything possible to not have a c/s.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ROLL OVER AND ACCEPT THIS! STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN AND FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS!
I agree with this. Beg him to give you until 42 weeks and then insist on a trial induction.
And start googling doulas in your area. Maybe look for someone a little bit bitchy, because I wouldn't trust this guy.
I meant that I agree with the previous post. Wish I knew how to paste in comments with the little box.
Have you called doulas yet? You're going to need the support. You don't seem like the pushy type. Neither am I.
Under the post you want to quote, click the quote button (instead of reply). It will create a reply box with the post you want to quote pasted in. Leave the lines with [xxxxx], but you can edit the quote text itself. :-)
OP, I'm closing on 41w now,... we're doing all kinds of things.... vaginal EPO or sex (sort of funny, we take a poll as we head up to bed on which we'll do that night), nipple stimulation (you can think of it as learning to use your breast pump), spicy food (doesn't seem to do anything, but tastes good), eggplant (who knows where that one came from, but what can it hurt), walks (uphill and a little faster than my body wants to really go), I spend a lot of time on a yoga/balance ball to move the baby lower, I get on all-fours to help baby's head rotate/get into position (maybe check out spinningbabies.com for suggestions), and I even rode my bike yesterday (which I am sure is not recommended, but whatever). Can you garden yet where you live?
I don't know what to say about your doc, cuz we're on the homebirth plan so our strategy is a lot different. If we go to 42w, we'll start natural induction methods (MW is a fan of castor oil, which sounds gross, but at that point I probably won't care).
GL!
There's a lot of women I know that had elective c/s and c/s after labor had started. Those that went in electively (no labor) tended to have an easier recover than those that went through laboring. And you don't risk stress on the baby so much with pit if it's got a very minimal chance of working. But like a pp said, ZERO chance for vaginal birth and the complications for mom and baby that could go along with having surgery and none of the events in the baby that happen during labor to prepare LO for the outside world.
I'd also start some techniques to move things along if possible, especially the EPO as mentioned previously, sexin' it up, acupuncture/pressure etc. In addition, I'd talk with your OB and give some pushback on his recommendations. His recommendations aren't the Word of the Lord. You have enough power in this situation to make your own calls on your care. If you want to try for the induction (if that comes to pass), let him know you still want to go that route, even if "chances are slim" IHO. Stripping membranes, even some of the other cervical ripeners he has at his disposal that might work given the time and opportunity for them to work.
I'd also ask him why both he and and the hospital are going against ACOG guidelines that specify postterm as 42 completed weeks. No reason for baby to come out earlier unless there is evidence of mom or baby not tolerating things well. Why the itch for 41 weeks, especially when they're not in a position to refuse you medical care if you show up in labor at, say, 41.5 weeks.
the average pregnancy for a first time mom without intervention is 41 weeks 3 days. you still have time. that said, once you reach 40 weeks you might want to consider clary sage or other methods.
and ditto pps on the induction. if you are that far along, you will likely respond to induction. you could potentially even avoid pitocin.
You all have given me a lot to think about. I am meeting this afternoon with a doula who I almost hired earlier in my pregnancy for a 'pep talk' and to formulate a list of questions.
To the poster who asked if I knew he'd want to put an intervention on the calendar at 39 weeks, no I didn't. Did I know that the "do not go past" date was 41 weeks, yes, but I learned that a long time ago and didn't really consider that it might end up being a factor.
I am going to try a lot of things that can help with cervix ripening etc.. and try not to think about it too much after my meeting with my doula friend today.
At my 40 week appointment, I will have my questions lined up about possibly being allowed to go to 42 weeks. I need to consider all of the factors regarding induction in unfavorable conditions before making that decision, but again, I'm going to try not to think about that this week because things could easily change.
Thank you for all of your encouragement!
First of all, no one can force you to have your baby before 41 weeks. No one is going to come to your house and drag you to the hospital for an induction or section.
Anything can happen in the next 2 weeks. I was the otherside of the coin. I was 3 cm dilated for 3 weeks and never went into labo on my own.
I hope that you go into labor on your own. I would tell your dr as others stated that you want to take this in stages and not jump right to c section.
I have a cerclage (stitch on my cervix) and it very well could be possible that my cervix will stay closed but they know my plan and are respecting it.
1. I want no drugs and to try to go into labor on my own
2. If I have to be induced I will accept that but not till I have to be induced.
3. If I need an epidural I will but I want to wait it out as long as I possibly can.
4. If a c section is warranted for the safety of my baby or myself then I will just have to do it but only as a last resort emergency situation....
state your plan to your dr and when you check into the hospital you really want to make sure that you read the release paperwork very well. If you need to request it in advance. this way if there is something you do not agree with you can address it ASAP...
tons of spicy food these next two weeks hell I would be doing every wivestale I could to get everything going.
good luck
Thanks again, everyone!! No worries to the poster who called April Fools lol. I realize I didn't explain myself very well at first.
I met with my doula friend today, and she helped me formulate a list of questions for my appointment this coming Friday. Number 1 on the list is "If baby and I are doing ok, is there any medical reason why I can't put of any interventions until week 42?"
Then, I'm going to ask him to take the c-section off the calendar and schedule me for an induction if something *must* be on the calendar for the last possible minute. I'm 99% sure that I've decided I would rather attempt induction first, even if conditions don't seem "favorable".
I'm also listening to my Hypnobirthing affirmations and reminding myself that everything could change overnight and that it really is silly to be worrying about this at 39 weeks.
why won't they induce you anyways? cervadil to soften your cervix or whatever?
a LOT can happen in two weeks, maybe consider taking EPO?
R.E. EPO and sex as 'help' for ripening your cervix and maybe getting some contractions to happen: try them together. Break an EPO capsule and use it as lubrication. It stinks to high heaven, but it's a great two-for-one. We used it for the last 2 weeks of my pregnancy, and it could be pure luck but my cervix was very ripe at almost 40 weeks and my labor ended up being very quick.
GOOD LUCK!!
FWIW, with both kids I had zero signs of impending labour at my (turned out to be) last doctor's office visit. No dilation, no softening, nothing. Both times I went into labour on my own within days. 2 fast, easy, natural births.
I clearly remember my doctor saying "no indication that anything is going to happen anytime soon" and booking my next appt for the following week. 3 days later I was holding my first born son.
Wow. I would be running away from that OB who would schedule a c/s when so many things can and WILL change by then. I know not all OBs are like this, but it makes me so mad when they try to calculate and predict everything and think they know so much. Who are THEY to say what YOUR BODY will do or not do? Are you like the next woman? Is she like the woman after that? NO! Every woman is different and birth is NOT an exact science! Can he predict the hormonal changes that YOUR BODY will go through? NO! He's probably the same kind of OB who would say, sorry, this labor isn't working after 8 hours, you need a section and off you go.
He would be getting an earful from me, a refusal to schedule and a possible records transfer request to another care provider! I can't believe him.
Ok as a labor and delivery nurse and a person that believes in natural birth and letting your body do things when it is ready I just have to say a couple things...
First of all your hospital's 41 week policy is crazy. They cannot make you come in at 41 weeks to have your baby. You can tell them and your doctor no. You can agree to NSTs to ensure you baby is doing okay. But going past 41 weeks is very common especially with your first baby.
Second ask your doctor about ripening your cervix with cervidal before inducing with pitocin. It will help soften your cervix and make it more receptive to pitocin and give you a better chance of delivering vaginally.
Stand up for yourself and your baby, don't just do something because your doctor or hospital says you should with out doing your research and being informed.
Good luck!
I have seen many first time moms get induced with low bishop scores deliver vaginally it can happen
Sex + Walking a ton + EPO = baby born
Do all of these every day.
I'm aghast that a doctor would schedule an c-section before an induction when there isn't a specific medical reason.
Off to the beach
DS 7/18/2010
Handy 2.0 Due Early August
2011/2012 Races
12/17/2011 Christmas Caper 10K
2/11/2012 Have a Heart 5K
3/17/2012 DC RNR Half Marathon
4/22/2012 10M Parkway Classic
10/28/2012 Marine Corps Marathon
AHH no way!! That's awesome!!
I'm so sorry your doctor is stressing you out like this. If I were you I would first of all watch The Business of Being Born on youtube... they have 6 different videos in order and it really puts things into perspective on how OB's and hospitals do things. This way you will be prepared to truly stand up for what you want and do the right thing for you and baby.
Second of all.. with the first baby having an unfavorable cervix at 39 weeks is SO normal. I totally agree with everyone else, 41 weeks is their timeline but it doesn't have to be yours. It is your baby, your body, your timeline. I would not schedule a c-section at all and then be induced at 41 weeks exactly or even after. I would also ask to come in the night before to get the pill that softens your cervix before they start pitocin... IF you need to be induced. If it was me I would wait until 41 weeks 3 or 4 days before I did anything and honestly, it's very doubtful you will need to be induced. It's so normal to go overdue with your first baby. Have lots of sex and let the semen sit on your cervix for a while- this softens your cervix- and try all the natural induction methods you can. Also once you dilate a little bit ask to have your membranes stripped before trying induction. By all means do not schedule a c-section if that is not what you want. Don't let them scare you into it. I would try an induction for a long long time no matter what my bishops score was before I would LET them do a c-section. It is your decision, not theirs.
GL! Keep us updated on how you are doing!