@babybluu & @EmmyMommy123 I've had friends take castor oil for home births while being monitored by their doulas/MWs - to each her own. Things like castor oil, waist trainers, etc etc etc warrant opinions on both ends of the spectrum. I mean - if you read about induction in medical journals a lot of doctors advise against it, including pitocon, cervadil, membrane sweeping, etc. No answer is the right answer because there are so many options & methods for so many different ideologies and plans.... Who's to say.
For those who have already had a baby before, I've heard that real contractions wrap from your back to your front like a wave. Does this happen over your whole uterus or does the wrapping sensation happen only in the lower part?
The wrapping around for my contractions was in the lower part of my uterus.
@amargaret24 the midwives and acupuncturist were both firmly against castor oil on its on but for castor oil in the cocktail, specifically with the lemon verbena. I like to do research and haven't found a clear scientific reason why the mix could be better than the castor oil on its on, but from the one study they provided me there were zero negative outcomes. They explain the lemon verbena redirects the stimulation of the castor oil from the bowels to uterus - again - I have found no science for this.
I still don't love the idea of it to begin with, but to play devils advocate - the risk of meconium will already be heightened because of my post term status and pitocin has seemingly as many negative potential outcomes. Trust me - I don't want to have to get to the point of making the decision between trying the cocktail or going for induction. I feel like there's too much potential for negative outcome with either option.
@EmmyMommy123 that was my midwifes reasoning for doing castor oil. She said by the time you're far enough along to do castor oil, the risk of baby passing meconium on its own is so much higher anyways, but people attribute the meconium to the castor oil instead of a late term gestation. I haven't had the hankering to actually research that on my own because I'm not desperate enough to try it honestly lol
So almost every night for the past few days I have been tricked! Contractions 3 to 5 minutes apart sometimes two and they last for so many hours with intense back pain that is consistent even when there are no contractions. So much lightening and cramps. This back pain is seriously no joke. I'm hoping he makes his arrival soon. 39+3 as I get closer to my due date the more I'm discouraged as silly as that sounds. I feel like I may end up having to be induced but I know patience is key and once those contractions become unbearable it's time to go in
FTM felt a tug and a pop in upper abdomin. Initially felt (and saw) an increase in discharge but after changing undergarments and putting a pad on nothing. Could it have been my water and my baby is being a cork? BLAH pregnancy why?
Had our 38 week appointment today. 3cm dilated and 75% effaced. Not that it means she will, but doctor thinks there's a good chance baby could make her grand entrance this week. Fingers crossed! :-)
@sarahbeara25 L&D can tell you for sure, but it doesn't sound like it. When you change positions do you get more discharge? Your water can refill every 3 hours so you should still be getting some coming out even if baby is a cork.
Married DW 08.2013; AI 2x; IUI 6x; IUI #7 05.2015; DD born 2.2016 ; Reciprocal IVF FET #1 on 11.18.2020
Thanks @claireloSC we did end up going in (mostly because I am strep B positive so they want me in as soon as I can for antibiotics) and all was well, no amniotic fluids. So I'm thinking it was probably a joint popping that I didn't feel and baby kicking weird. L+D nurses are always so nice though, they totally get the whole worrying thing so I left not as embarrassed about it as I could have
@cameronreed She determined it through three separate ultrasounds! It was noted on my growth ultrasound, put on liquids for a day and had another, then another a week later!
I've been having contractions all day, starting at 15 minute intervals. I couldn't feel the LO move so we went for an NST and everything was fine. After we got home, I passed my plug and contractions have been about 10 min apart since then. Because I'm neurotic at this point I've been keeping a spreadsheet of the contraction times and for the last hour they've been between 5-7 minutes. Is that considered close enough to go into L&D? I feel like I'm crying wolf if I go in too early.
I've been having contractions all day, starting at 15 minute intervals. I couldn't feel the LO move so we went for an NST and everything was fine. After we got home, I passed my plug and contractions have been about 10 min apart since then. Because I'm neurotic at this point I've been keeping a spreadsheet of the contraction times and for the last hour they've been between 5-7 minutes. Is that considered close enough to go into L&D? I feel like I'm crying wolf if I go in too early.
5-7 minutes apart is when my doctor advises heading to labor and delivery. At the very least they'll just examine you and send you home if they don't think you're ready to be admitted. Good luck!
I've been having contractions all day, starting at 15 minute intervals. I couldn't feel the LO move so we went for an NST and everything was fine. After we got home, I passed my plug and contractions have been about 10 min apart since then. Because I'm neurotic at this point I've been keeping a spreadsheet of the contraction times and for the last hour they've been between 5-7 minutes. Is that considered close enough to go into L&D? I feel like I'm crying wolf if I go in too early.
I think it would depend on how long the contractions are lasting themselves? I was having contractions lasting 30-40 seconds every 3.5 min for 8 hours and went in, they were beginning to space out so it wasn't actually labor. My doctor told me I should come in if they last 1 minute every 4 minutes for an hour and a half.
Has anyone had a stretch and sweep? What was your experience? I'm going to be offered a stretch and sweep tomorrow by my midwife, and currently undecided if I want one or not.
I had a cervical exam Friday, and then I had a bloody show around 1130pm Saturday night after napping on and off all day. After the show, I had the urge to clean all the floors in my house and then I went to the bathroom at midnight, and my water broke. And te fluid kept coming . And is still coming. I started having contractions, and we went to the hospital. They checked me and said I was 3cm and the baby was very low and they admitted me. I just got my epidural around 4cm so now I'm trying to get some rest before show time!
@jencook25 I've had two now...how far along are you?
My first was at 40+6 and my midwife explained she would check my cervix and if it was favourable for a sweep (she could easily reach in and do it) she would, but if not she wouldn't force it. I liked this plan as I didn't want to force anything. My cervix was midline and 1 cm open so she went ahead. It felt like getting a PAP smear or a period...nothing too bad. I had no bleeding or anything just felt off the rest of the day.
My second was Friday at 41+1. My cervix was slightly more open (1.5-2 cm) and forward but not too much, and this one was done by a different midwife. This one hurt more and it felt like she was agitating it more. This one I bled during and on and off after for the rest of the day. I had some cramping and contractions but nothing that progressed. I had no bleeding all night and then Saturday morning had what I believed to be the bloody show (dark brown clump of mucous...I lost my mucous plug last weekend in several large clumps with no blood) and several times throughout the day there was more show (light brown mucous).
Here I am Sunday morning still pregnant, however. The midwives explained they usually hear from the clients by the next morning if the sweep has worked, if they haven't heard from you then your body wasn't ready for it to have an effect. Other sources I've found say it can take up to 48 hours to have an effect. In any case I'm going for another one tomorrow at 41+4 hoping to beat medical induction. I don't find them completely unbearable and they seem to make some difference, but at the very least make me feel like I'm at least trying to move things along!!
Feeling a little sick today- so far just nausea and maybe a little bloated. I know it's fairly common to have the runs before labor to "clear out" but what about nausea and vomitting? I'm hoping this is related to pregnancy/ labor and not a bug. I just hate feeling queasy but if it's related to pregnancy at least that should mean no one else in my family will get sick
@Mommyduclos Nausea and vomiting can be a sign of labor.
Thanks! I wasn't totally sure but thought it made sense. My bought of nausea has passed so I'm thinking it definitely wasn't the result of a bug, but not necessarily labor. Ugh my body is such a tease and I'm so ready! I'm sure many of you can relate
@andimegie325 There's a really great app I'e been using called "Full Term" ... you can time your contractions and it measures the time between each one and average length overall....you can also count kicks with it to. It's really quite useful and the stop watch bit is the my fav. part.
@andimegie325 There's a really great app I'e been using called "Full Term" ... you can time your contractions and it measures the time between each one and average length overall....you can also count kicks with it to. It's really quite useful and the stop watch bit is the my fav. part.
@maddisonwallace yeah it's totally simple and it's nice that you can delete contractions and start over (which I literally do every single night haha).
37w2d. I swear baby moved up even higher and is hanging on to my ribs. Lol. Ugh.
Woke up every hour last night to pee.
FOR REAL!! little girl is all up in my ribs all of the sudden and she hasn't been at all the whole pregnancy. I feel like she isn't getting the memo that she is supposed to go the other way!
Decided it would be a good idea do so a little easy workout last night then had a good run of an hour of Braxton Hicks every 5-8 minutes. Chugged some water and laid down and they quickly slowed and stopped. First time they've been so consistent for so long for me, but I'm glad they stopped because DH is still a 6 hour drive away at work!!
I'm 36+2 and pretty frustrated that I haven't lost my mucus plug yet. When did you guys lose yours?
With DS1 I never lost mine. At least not that I noticed.
I never noticed losing my with my first either. But my water broke as the first signs of labor at 37 weeks. Tomorrow I'm 38 weeks with pregnancy number 2. some mild contractions but nothing that seems real yet.
Lost mine at 39w last pregnancy and had baby 2 days later. This time I've just been losing bits for weeks and never all at once. 39w1day today and no baby yet.
39+5. I started losing the baby cork (mucus plug) today, and definitely feeling crampy. I only lost it after a membrane sweep last pregnancy. If baby boy doesn't show on his own, I'll be having a membrane sweep Wednesday! But I am feeling encouraged it's happening on its own right now!
Has anyone had any luck inducing labor by bouncing on an exercise ball?
I was just on mine. But I got tired. Lol. I have been having contractions all day. But they are all over the place. So I started bouncing and rolling my hips. It didn't do much.
Has anyone had any luck inducing labor by bouncing on an exercise ball?
I was just on mine. But I got tired. Lol. I have been having contractions all day. But they are all over the place. So I started bouncing and rolling my hips. It didn't do much.
I've been on mine going on 2 hours... I'm going to bounce myself insane.
New rule guys!! No more having your babies before me!
But seriously... It's starting to get painful to see all the birth announcements! So here's another way to induce labor! Let me know if it works for any of you!
New rule guys!! No more having your babies before me!
But seriously... It's starting to get painful to see all the birth announcements! So here's another way to induce labor! Let me know if it works for any of you!
I know there was a thread commenting on this recently, but have you guys found cervical exams to be painful? Are they comparable to the pelvic exams they usually do after a pap? First one today and I'm nervous.
I know there was a thread commenting on this recently, but have you guys found cervical exams to be painful? Are they comparable to the pelvic exams they usually do after a pap? First one today and I'm nervous.
My exams have always included a sweep, so up until the sweep portion they have felt quite similar to a PAP to me. The sweep is more intense and feels like bad period pains to me (but I've always had painful periods).
Re: Official Labor Watch Thread (L&D questions, concerns, and announcements)
I still don't love the idea of it to begin with, but to play devils advocate - the risk of meconium will already be heightened because of my post term status and pitocin has seemingly as many negative potential outcomes. Trust me - I don't want to have to get to the point of making the decision between trying the cocktail or going for induction. I feel like there's too much potential for negative outcome with either option.
My first was at 40+6 and my midwife explained she would check my cervix and if it was favourable for a sweep (she could easily reach in and do it) she would, but if not she wouldn't force it. I liked this plan as I didn't want to force anything. My cervix was midline and 1 cm open so she went ahead. It felt like getting a PAP smear or a period...nothing too bad. I had no bleeding or anything just felt off the rest of the day.
My second was Friday at 41+1. My cervix was slightly more open (1.5-2 cm) and forward but not too much, and this one was done by a different midwife. This one hurt more and it felt like she was agitating it more. This one I bled during and on and off after for the rest of the day. I had some cramping and contractions but nothing that progressed. I had no bleeding all night and then Saturday morning had what I believed to be the bloody show (dark brown clump of mucous...I lost my mucous plug last weekend in several large clumps with no blood) and several times throughout the day there was more show (light brown mucous).
Here I am Sunday morning still pregnant, however. The midwives explained they usually hear from the clients by the next morning if the sweep has worked, if they haven't heard from you then your body wasn't ready for it to have an effect. Other sources I've found say it can take up to 48 hours to have an effect. In any case I'm going for another one tomorrow at 41+4 hoping to beat medical induction. I don't find them completely unbearable and they seem to make some difference, but at the very least make me feel like I'm at least trying to move things along!!
Woke up every hour last night to pee.
FOR REAL!! little girl is all up in my ribs all of the sudden and she hasn't been at all the whole pregnancy. I feel like she isn't getting the memo that she is supposed to go the other way!
I have been having contractions all day. But they are all over the place. So I started bouncing and rolling my hips. It didn't do much.
I've been on mine going on 2 hours... I'm going to bounce myself insane.
But seriously... It's starting to get painful to see all the birth announcements! So here's another way to induce labor! Let me know if it works for any of you!
https://www.facebook.com/entoutetranquillite/videos/1541026869542939/
Low progesterone
Baby boy born 01/2016
Currently: NTNP