Need positive stories, please.

Ster1106 · November 2014

I'll start with this: I initially joined this group when I found out I was pregnant back in March, but I stopped checking in because there were a lot of nasty, negative people. Hopefully, I won't get that right now, because it isn't what I need.

I'm 41 weeks today and am currently a fingertip dilated and 0% effaced. My NST today showed that the placenta is still functioning well, there's plenty of fluid, and good movement with baby girl, so the doctor is willing to hold out for now. He wants to see me Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to do additional checks. Induction isn't an option right now, because he wants me at least 1.5cm dilated so as not to result in a c-section. Even with induction, there's the possible cascade of intense contractions leading to an epidural which can slow down labor which can lead to a c-section. However, if there's still no change by 42 weeks, c-section will be the next option. This is something I definitely don't want. I would like to go as unmedicated as possible, as I'm sure many mommies do.

As a FTM, it's hard not to find this information disheartening, so I'm just looking for positive stories of people that have possibly been in my position before and have had a spontaneous delivery before the 42 week mark. Thank y'all in advance for any help. It's greatly appreciated.

howin23 · November 2014

Hi,

First off, I do want to say that I've been an active part of this board for a while and while there can occasionally be some snarky remarks, most of the women on the board are incredibly supportive of each other and of reasonable newbies. I've found it to be a great community and would consider many of the women here to be friends.

In terms of induction, there are a lot of women here who are past due, and as a FTM I wouldn't give up yet at 41 weeks, particularly because it seems like you don't have complications. I'm a little confused by your comment about c-section at 42 weeks -- that would be only if an induction failed, right? My docs will try to induce before considering a c-section even if I'm not at all dilated (cervidil to dilate followed by pitocin for contractions). Most of the women who have had to be induced have had successful inductions, without c-sections.

I'm at 39+2, not effaced or dilated at all, and have high fluid so won't be allowed to go until 42 weeks. They've scheduled my induction for 41+2 and I'm in the same boat as you, hoping to go into labor naturally before that. I can't get an epidural for medical reasons, so an induction is particularly concerning to me.

I understand you're anxious about the possibility of induction or c-section. Have you and the docs tried alternatives? Walking, sex, raspberry leaf tea, EPO? At what point would they consider stripping your membranes? I think asking about these would make sense and might assuage some of your nervousness.

Ster1106 · November 2014

The doc said he'd gladly strip my membranes once I become dilated enough to do so. Being "barely" fingertip, though, he said it's not an option quite yet. As far as things I'm currently trying: sex daily, walking two miles daily, raspberry leaf tea every morning, EPO (both orally and vaginally) nightly, exercise ball, spicy food, bumpy car rides, nipple stimulation. You name it, and I've done it. The concern about attempting induction before I'm 1.5cm dilated is the increased risk of c-section because the cervix hasn't started preparing for labor. Perhaps Cervidil would be enough to soften everything up.

It's just hard not to be down about it. It's stupid, but it makes you wonder what in the heck is wrong with your body. I know it can go from zero to 10cm in a matter of hours, so that's what I'm hoping and praying for. Having a constant barrage of texts from well-meaning family and friends isn't helping, either. My SIL texted earlier: "Waiting, waiting, waiting..." And I'm not??

Thank you for your kind response. I'll just keep up the same attempts and pray she decides she's ready before 42 weeks.

Ster1106 · November 2014

Yeah, that's not making me very happy at all. In hindsight, I wish I'd gone to a birthing center, dang it.

meeshybee · November 2014

I also don't understand why they're going straight to c-sec instead of at least trying induction if you have no medical reason not to. Makes no sense to me. Worst case scenario, they try induction and you end up needing a c-sec anyway. Why not give it a shot if there's even the possibility of avoiding surgery?

And I know epidurals can slow labor for some people, but they didn't for me. Things actually picked up for me AFTER I had my epi with my first. Maybe I'm a fluke, but just saying it's not guaranteed to slow things down.

hiketheworld · November 2014

I'm in the same boat as you. It's hard not to get down about it. But, it is highly likely you will go into labor within the next week. That's what I keep telling myself!!

howin23 · November 2014

@Ster1106 Regarding all the texts and emails about waiting, this is one reason we've referred to our LO as "Godot" from the beginning. In case you aren't familiar with the play, it's "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett. In short, they wait and wait and wait and Godot never comes. So whenever someone says "still waiting?" we just say "umm yeah, waiting for Godot." It's a fun way to tell them to shut up

.

Ster1106 · November 2014

Ha! I love it!

Dimples0101 · November 2014

I mentioned in another post recently (can't remember which one) that I was induced with my first early due to pre-e. I was zero effaced and zero dilated. Once they started the pitocin I was in labor for 27 hrs, but I had a successful vaginal delivery. My doctor also only spoke of a cs in the week before I delivered once I was diagnosed with pre-e. I finally asked, if it had to be a cs or if we could try induction and she said that we could. Hoping for a similar experience for you!

smboswell1 · November 2014

I wasn't dilated and they induced me! It was a 24 hour long labor, but everything went great!

Ster1106 · November 2014

Y'all are SERIOUSLY making me feel better. I would say you have no idea, but I'm pretty sure you do.

scarlet3egonias · November 2014

I was induced In a semi-emergency situation. My dr was planning on a csection but I asked to try induction and we did it successfully. My dr felt that my cervix was unfavorable for induction (completely closed and far back) but after 2 rounds of Cytotec and some pitocin my body took over the labor in its own. I had my baby girl within 24 hours from being admitted.

Sarahbeth612 · November 2014

I'm sure its discouraging that your body hasn't progressed much yet, but that is very normal with it being your first. FX that things pick up for you as naturally and smoothly as possible!

Ster1106 · November 2014

Thank you!! I'm crossing everything, too... except my legs.

jlove253 · November 2014

It's a bummer that bad comments scared you away early on. I feel like as time passed community really developed. Anyways, I too induced with my first when in a unfavorable position for induction (maybe .5 cm, not effaced). My dr stripped my membranes the day before and labor took a long time (24 hrs) but I didn't need a c-section.

I bet you'll end up going into labor on your own

if not, certainly talk to your dr about inducing before a section. At least ask why they won't try. That would really upset me if it was my dr's position.

jess123456 · November 2014

I was in a similar situation last week. I was barely dilated and they wanted to induce due to my history. I started getting cervical ripening starting on my due date. It unfortunately wasn't very effective so we ended up taking a couple days off and seeing what happened on its own. I came back in and sure enough I was 1.5 cm and 50 percent effaced (still not great but something). They then started me on pitocin and my body was able to take over after that without pitocin. My son was born at 41 weeks 1 day and I was getting to the point where I thought he was never going to come. While inductions can lead to c sections it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. I ended up have a very long 24+ hour labor and ended up delivering vaginally. Starting from barely dilated to 10 cm can be a long road but know that you aren't alone and that it's very typical for your first too. Your baby will be here soon!

Ster1106 · November 2014

Thank you for that! I'm definitely feeling like she'll never get here. I'm not a negative person, but dang, it's starting to feel that way. It's hard to be positive when I feel like I'll NEVER get to meet her. I know that's dumb, because no one's been pregnant forever. Right???

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