Posted on 08/17/2005 12:03:45 PM PDT by rampage8
I realize this isn't a typical question on FR, but I am looking for any advice I can get. I was due to have my 3rd baby on August 12, and as of yet, she is a no-show. I was wondering if anyone knows of any safe ways to bring on labor. I bought a bottle of castor oil today, but that will be my last resort. If you've tried this, did it work? I've heard mixed reviews on it.
Any info/advice/stories would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!
What worked for me was GO for a WALK( with someone else of course), in case you need an assist!
The pressure of the baby will do wonders to bring things on - I walked around a pond in our park. It was uncomfortable but it had results the next morning.... The next day I started labor.
Also, just the "threat" of inducing labor by my OBGYN on a certain date worked for me too - I would start labor before the deadline.
I always had to have pitocin though - my kids never wanted to leave (ha)
EPIDURALS are a blessing from God!
Babys are notorious for their free will...they come when they are ready! Don't play God...there is a good reason why she hasn't made her appearance yet!
If the doctor believes it is time, they will induce!
I was 3 weeks past due with my daughter...scheduled to be induced on January 11th...I went into labor at 3 am on the 11th and had her by 12:45 the same day!
1. She cooked a month's worth of food ahead of time and froze it in preparation for the first month after childbirth. And she thinks the cooking helped her start labor because she was on her feet a lot.
2. This won't induce labor, but night make it easier since you can't have an epidural : Typically a dad who is coaching will watch the monitor and help his wife by saying things like :
Here comes another contraction! The line's going up really steep this time! It's a BIG ONE! Can you FEEL IT YET!!! WOW! This one is HUGE!!!! IT MUST REALLY HURT!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah, Can I help you with your breathing exercises?"
My wife found that what really worked was for me not to say anything. Not to tell her when a contraction is starting. And when she felt it, she concentrated on the TV and thought and said "Wow!, Ford has a new Minivan coming out!" (or whatever she saw on TV). This distraction really worked for her so I thought I'd pass it on.
Best of luck to you! And . . . Lord, please let Rampage8 have a WONDERFULLY GREAT labor and birth experience. AMEN!!!
My wife found out that slapping, clawing, and biting me made her feel a whole lot better.
My husband liked your advice... it'd probably be in his best interest not to take it though!!! :)
No baby yet. Tomorrow is a full moon so maybe that'll do it. I did try a few things yesterday that people suggested... eggplant parmagiana for dinner, bloody Mary mix (no vodka unfortunately) with extra pepper and horseradish, lots of standing and walking, etc. Now my back is sore and I had indigestion, but no baby. Uggh!
The castor oil bottle is still staring at me (so is my mother in law who's staying with us until the baby comes!!). I'm scheduled to be induced on Monday if all else fails. Thanks for your prayers! I'll keep you posted.
My gosh, that must have been hard. I spent some time with my gran the day before she died, but her funeral was in New York while I was in the hospital in Michigan. You did the right thing, though. I am a firm believer in the "mortality trigger." Five months would have been exceedingly premature.
I have a friend whose daughter does homebirths, and she used castor oil with her last one, which was her 3rd. Said it worked fine, labor was 4hours.
Becky
Put away that castor oil. This is what I did as all of mine were mega overdue (after running it by my obgyn): Get some wild rasberry leaves if you have any near you and make some decaf tea with them and whatever decaf tea you like. Drink tankards of it every day and eat some sechuan chinese food - the hotter the better and take nice looonnnggg walks and then go home and put your feet up.
....especially since it was forty years ago, the had no idea how to save preemies.
It's Wednesday the 24th now and you haven't posted anything since the 18th . . . . and we're all pacing around in this virtual waiting room . . . . waiting for word . . . .
*****************
First, congratulations on the coming birth of your child!
Second, please be very careful. Best of luck to you, and update us when you can.
I meant to post sooner.....
Our little girl, Sophie, arrived one week late, on August 19, weighing in at a whopping 8 lb 14 oz. We arrived at the hospital room at 1:35 AM and she was born at 2:01. No drugs for me, so her speediness was appreciated.
I learned that no matter what I tried to do to speed up her arrival, nothing mattered except her timetable. I tried spicy food, walking, the deed that got her there in the first place, a super secret method suggested by "Alisasny", bloody Mary mix (no vodka), eggplant parm, you name it. She came when she was good and ready. I am glad I didn't rush her by getting induced. She is perfectly gorgeous and healthy.
I don't know how to post this to the whole group, so if you can find a way to do that, I'd really appreciate it. It was so nice to have the support and prayers of fellow freepers. I got quite a few laughs from this thread too. Maybe we'll share that super secret method eventually, but I'll leave that up to "alisasny"!! :)
Congrats to you and welcome to your new little FReeper, Sophie!
Ping.
Congratulations on your new addition to the family.
With our daughter, the doc told my (then) wife to go home and do a lot of housework. By golly, 10 hours later Eileen was born.
Congratulations! Now go get some sleep!
Congratulations!! Post a picture when you can!!
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