Trying to postpone labor

doknow · December 2014

I know that the most important thing is that the baby and I are healthy...but I get 14 weeks of maternity leave if I deliver Jan. 1 or later, and only 6 weeks if I delivery before Jan. 1 (due to a change in policy at my workplace). I'm currently at 38 weeks and 1 cm dilated (as of yesterday), and really want to have this baby after Jan. 1! (This is my first biological child and I'm due Jan. 5.) I've been doing stretching and breathing that are supposed to help me prepare for a natural labor & delivery, but is there a chance that they're (at the the stretching) are causing me to dilate? What should I do to try and prevent this baby from coming sooner rather than later?

misslizzy82 · December 2014

doknow said:

I know that the most important thing is that the baby and I are healthy...but I get 14 weeks of maternity leave if I deliver Jan. 1 or later, and only 6 weeks if I delivery before Jan. 1 (due to a change in policy at my workplace). I'm currently at 38 weeks and 1 cm dilated (as of yesterday), and really want to have this baby after Jan. 1! (This is my first biological child and I'm due Jan. 5.) I've been doing stretching and breathing that are supposed to help me prepare for a natural labor & delivery, but is there a chance that they're (at the the stretching) are causing me to dilate? What should I do to try and prevent this baby from coming sooner rather than later?

Baby will come when baby wants to come, sorry!

sanbry · December 2014

Being dilated already doesn't necessarily mean you will deliver early. But regardless there really isn't much you can do to postpone anything if baby is ready.

Mrs_Bennett · December 2014

If you go into active labor at this point, there isn't really anything you can do to stop it.
That being said, I wouldn't worry much about it. You're only one centimeter, which isn't much at all--some women walk around at four for weeks before delivery! You've only got a week to go until the first, and two weeks until your EDD. No matter when your LO arrives, it will be perfect for him/her. Enjoy these last few weeks of pregnancy!

doknow · December 2014

Thanks, all!

southernyankeegirl · December 2014

Only thing you could try is staying off your feet. But it isn't going to do any good if your body decides it's time, it just will keep some pressure off your cervix.

That policy really sucks and is really really unfair. Good luck!

lavet22 · December 2014

Mrs_Bennett said:

If you go into active labor at this point, there isn't really anything you can do to stop it. That being said, I wouldn't worry much about it. You're only one centimeter, which isn't much at all--some women walk around at four for weeks before delivery! You've only got a week to go until the first, and two weeks until your EDD. No matter when your LO arrives, it will be perfect for him/her. Enjoy these last few weeks of pregnancy!

I am one of these women. With DS3 I was 3-4cm for 3wks before I had him on my due date. I seriously wouldn't be worried. But as pp have stated, baby will come when ready and there is not much you can do to delay it.

kc192 · December 2014

Haha, I'm trying to talk baby into coming BEFORE the 1st to avoid paying another huge insurance deductible and to save on taxes.

but like everyone said, they seem to come when they want to come and how far you're dilated doesn't mean anything. Id try maybe laying around and resting as much as you can? People say walking progresses labor so... Maybe the opposite? Plus it doesn't hurt to stay rested! Good luck!

elleswarth · December 2014

I've been 2-3cm dilated for 3 weeks now, and 80% effaced and baby is still inside. You're likely dilated because you're 38 weeks pregnant, not because of some stretching you did.

eleolin8 · December 2014

I also would like to postpone labor, but only because my Dr. will be out of town from 12/29 to 1/5. It makes me nervous she will be back 6 days before my due date. I don't think there's much we can do except take it easy. I am also 1cm but other than that, I don't feel any labor action yet...it must be my BH contractions.

llambrose · December 2014

I would say just try to relax as much as possible and get plenty of rest. I don't think there is much you can do. Good luck! I hope it works out.

doknow · December 2014

Thanks, all! @excitedmamam2, you're right that it has to do with the benefits that begin on Jan. 1. I've been with my company for less than a year, so I'm not under FMLA, which means that if I delivery before Jan. 1, I'll only get 6 weeks for disability, and not the extra 6 weeks for FMLA. It doesn't matter if I take vacation of sick time until Jan. 1. @eleonline8, my midwife will actually be on vacation from Jan. 3-11, so if I don't give birth on Jan. 1 or 2, I'm hoping that it's on the 12th (or later, but I also don't want to be induced). Yeah, I do realize that none of this is under my control, and that all that matters is that I have a healthy baby.

eleolin8 · December 2014

@doknow, looks like you only have 3 days left to get the longer leave which will be so good for you and baby! I live in a very rural town, so if I happen to go into labor, we have decided to drive to nearest city (90miles ~2 hrs) to avoid this other Dr who had her medical license revoked in South Carolina (has it back now) from court case.

Maebb · January 2015

@doknow, have you had the baby yet? Just a few more hours, and you'll be in 2015 with the longer maternity leave. Hopefully you made it! Or if not, congrats on your baby!