MW told me to start labor inducing activities at 37 weeks...is she nuts?

cookierlr1 · May 2011

At my last appointment my MW told that the baby is at zero station, but I am not at all dialated. She said to have start walking and having regular sex. But then told me that if we do have sex DH will be hitting the baby in the head with his penis, which I find disturbing so I can't bring myself to do it (this is also as she is tapping my poor baby on the head to try and drive home how low he is...I got it, thanks...) Anyway I keep reading all these posts flaming women about inducing early, so I am confused as to why my doctor would tell me to start doing this at 37 weeks. Perhaps she isn't trying to get me to go into labor soon, but just ripen my cervix a bit because he is so low? Thoughts?

thatgirl84 · May 2011

Sex can definitely start labor, and start it soon. I just had a conversation with my OB about this. My FI will not have sex w/me b/c I am not yet at 39 weeks, so I brought it up at my appt.

First of all, you should trust your instincts. If it doesn't sound right, then it probably isn't. You can help ripen the cervix (I would wait until 38 or 39 weeks) by taking evening primrose . You can walk more. Sit on your exercise ball. I'm sure if you google it you will find tons more suggestions. I, myself, would not try and induce at 37 weeks. It is considered full term, but every baby is different. There is still some development going on. I just read my 38 week updates, and they all said baby's lungs are still maturing.

I hope this helps.

cookierlr1 · May 2011

Yeah it doesn't feel right to me either. I realize that she is a trained medical professional and I do respect her opinion, but I felt like that was advice better given for someone at 40 weeks, not 37. I have been taking short walks, but I already do yoga twice a week so I am not sure how effective they will be at this point anyway. The sex however is just not happening lol I asked to see another doctor in the practice this week so I will see what they have to say. Thanks for the input : )

march2008 · May 2011

I'm not trying to induce labor, but I do have to say that I walk a good 5 out of the 7 days a week for several miles at a time and I'm barely dilated! My doctor told me last Thurs. that the baby's head is extremely low too, but I honestly can't even think of having sex because I feel totally swollen down below so I'm just going to trust that my body is going to do what it's supposed to do whenever it's ready!

catherine225 · May 2011

I've read a lot about getting your body ready for labor. Ina May Gaskin cites sex as the best workout you can give your body for labor. I don't believe that it will throw you into labor if your baby is not ready to come out. If you feel uncomfortable with it, that's one thing... and it sounds like your baby will come out just fine without the sex. But as far as working the muscles down there, and providing your cervix with the prostaglandins-- sex is where it's at!

redfish08 · May 2011

Everything I've read is that sex will only bring on labor if your body was already ready to be there.

Follow your instincts, but if you want to have sex, have it. If you don't, well then join the club.

babyduejune · May 2011

catherine225:
I've read a lot about getting your body ready for labor. Ina May Gaskin cites sex as the best workout you can give your body for labor. I don't believe that it will throw you into labor if your baby is not ready to come out. If you feel uncomfortable with it, that's one thing... and it sounds like your baby will come out just fine without the sex. But as far as working the muscles down there, and providing your cervix with the prostaglandins-- sex is where it's at!

This. What your MW realizes is that the things she is suggesting will not just automatically induce labor, just help prep your body for it. No amount of supplements, sex, walking etc will bring an unwilling baby!! Yesterday I walked, sat on the birth ball, drank my tea, took EPO, & had sex!! Guess what, nothing more than some BH cntxns. The point for me is not to bring on labor, I'm just doing whatever in my power to help my body get ready, give me an easier labor, reduce my chance of induction. Even with all this if baby isn't ready til my due date or beyond he won't come anyway & I'm ok with that too! Do what you feel comfortable with, but sex is no magic bullet by any means & I think she's just making suggestions for ways to move things along, it's not like she gave you cervidil to stick up there.

musiscout · May 2011

I think what your MW is saying is getting things progressing towards labor. It can easily take 3 weeks. My friend said she was 3 cm dilated and 60% effaced for 3 weeks.Walking is really good. I was working all of last week, walking in a big building. So now I'm going to make an effort to still get up and around.

Turtle143 · May 2011

It doesn't sound too outrageous to me that she'd recommend walking and sex.

Neither is particularly proven to induce labor or we all might as well be on bedrest or pelvic rest for the entire duration of pregnancy. Plus, she said these to you at 37 weeks which for the longest time is what has been considered "full term." The greater medical community is rethinking that though with new findings that the baby really can benefit more by cooking for a week or two more.

lil_shocker · May 2011

I don't think she's telling you to induce labor, but to start preparing your body for labor. The more physical activity you are doing, the easier your labor will be because your muscles are toned, warm, and stretched. Plus, it may help you to begin dilating, but you can be dilated for quite some time before you go into labor.

I think what the drama with inducing is about it actively trying to have your baby at an earlier stage, not doing activities for prepping your body for what it goes through during labor.

supermom83 · May 2011

If it were that simple I would have had my baby by now. My doctor recommended sex starting 35 weeks to ripen the cervix. Sex is not an "automatic send you into labor" button you can just push at any time or else we'd all be on pelvic rest! It helps ripen the cervix, but if a mom is close to ready it could trigger labor but could is the key word! So could walking for that matter! Enjoy the last few weeks you have before baby comes! You'll be on pelvic rest for at least 6 weeks post-pregnancy so might as well enjoy your husband now while you guys can! :0)

LexGator · May 2011

I agree with others -- she is just suggesting things that will move you closer to labor. It's unlikely going on a walk or having sex means you're going to be in L&D later this afternoon. I have been walking -- I figure it's good for me anyway, and if it gets baby lower or helps the cervix out, so be it.

monkeysmama62 · May 2011

I am having no problem dilating but my cervix is taking it's time thinning so my doctor stripped my membranes at 37 weeks. So no I don't think your MW is nuts at all.

stampygarrett · May 2011

I've been having sexy time - not a crazy amount but once a week - last time being a few hours ago. Not because I am trying to induce myself but more so because I know it will be at least 4-6 weeks after the baby is born until we can engage in the activity again.

Let me tell you - I agree that if the baby is not ready the baby will not come! I am not dilated, not effaced, and even my BH contractions have slowed to pretty much a complete halt!

Want a personalized experience?

MW told me to start labor inducing activities at 37 weeks...is she nuts?

Re: MW told me to start labor inducing activities at 37 weeks...is she nuts?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards