[davejag]

So I went to the Dr this morning and because I have been in so much pain for the last 4 weeks, he is thinking maybe we should induce next week. He did ask me to try to induce myself naturally or speed things up over the next few days, does anyone have any suggestions on how? I have tried walking, sex, drinking lots of water but nothing is working. I am 38 weeks and 3days pregnant.

[J_9]

Walking, sex, nipple stimulation produces oxytocin, so that can start labor. Did the doctor not give you any suggestions? If not, I would suggest to just stick to what you have already done and add nipple stimulation. Anything else could be potentially harmful to you and/or baby.

Hun, we know you have been in pain, but again, what's best for the baby is to stay in there as long as possible. There is a light at the end of the tunnel... and it's not a train. LOL

[davejag]

I know I agree I don't think he should induce me at all, but because of urine problem and the bit of bleeding the Dr isn't very happy. He did say the babies head was partly in pelvis( what does that mean) but again he never checked me. I think I might just walk and hope that this baby knows what he or she is going to do. Should I just tell him next week to hold of another week?

[J_9]

Many hospitals will not induce prior to 39 weeks at the earliest, some wait until 40 weeks exactly for liability purposes.

The baby's head is partially in the pelvis means that the baby is lightening (dropping). Lightening usually occurs approximately 2 weeks prior to delivery.

[simoneaugie]

Being induced is extremely painful, not to mention unnatural. I'd wait until the baby says that it's time.

The baby's head, all the way in the pelvis is also called "engaged." That means that it (the head) is against the cervix and helps it to open.

Do not let the doctor's frustration bother you. If you go all the way to forty weeks, that's best for the baby. That is less than 2 weeks away.

[davejag]

Okay I'll tell him next week just to wait and see what happens, because I have a hard time urinating that can't hurt the baby right?

[DoulaLC]

A few things that might help, but keep in mind, nothing will work well if your body isn't ready for it. A medical induction will not go smoothly if your body is not ready for it to happen. As was said, Nipple stimulation, (it often has to be for a fair amount of time)... one side first, than move onto both, if you start getting some contractions, they should not come on too strongly or last longer than a minute. If you happen to have a breastpump that can work as well.
The frequent sex may help as semen has prostaglandins in it. Walking may, but tends to work better to augment labor... won't hurt... a mall can be good as it is safe, you can sit down if you need to, there are bathrooms available, you can get a drink, etc.. (just make sure one lap is walking before you start to shop! ) There are several, but two pressure points I have used that can work for some women... hoku is between the forefinger and your thumb in the webbed area... the other is spleen 6... about 4 fingers width up from your ankle bone on the inside of your leg. Both might be more helpful if someone does this for you... press firmly, it should be a bit tender, with your thumb and hold for 30-60 seconds... let about 15 minutes go by and repeat, continue the pattern. These tend to work better while in labor, but may help get things going for some women.
Personally, I would use these only as a means to try to avoid a medical induction... otherwise best to let baby stay put as everyone else has said. Inductions should only be used when medically warranted, and unfortunately, sorry to say, being uncomfortable doesn't fall into that category!
The bit of bleeding may be from the cervix starting to thin out... if he was more concerned, he would do an exam.
What is the urine problem? Difficulty with urinating? Possible UTI? Frequency but not much voiding?

[passmeby]

I agree with Simone, being induced is very painful. I had to do it twice. It is fast, scary and seemed to be more agonizing than my one labor that occurred naturally. My Drs also asked me, or suggested, things to do to try to induce myself. Of course, you should call your Dr and check before trying anything, but I will give you the suggestions that my Dr gave me. Raspberry leaf tea... find it at health food stores. Not plain old raspberry tea, it has to be raspberry LEAF tea. Take a dose of castor oil. Now, that will be unpleasant. I don't know if you've ever taken castor oil before, if you have then you'll know what I mean. Try to find the flavorless, odorless kind... the regular stuff is way nasty. You'll want to do it when you can be home for 24 hrs straight, because it will make you POOP!! And poop a lot, your system will basically flush. You will have basically watery stool after the first time or two you go to the bathroom. You may become dehydrated taking castor oil, so drink extra, extra water and of course, eat normally. But please, please you must give your Dr office a call before ingesting anything, you might have a condition that would be aggrivated by either of the things I listed to try. My Dr told me to do these things, as well as what you have already tried... the walking and the sex.

[DoulaLC]

As passmeby mentioned, the red raspberry leaf tea works well for some women, but it is not really for inducing, it is for "toning" the uterus with the idea of helping contractions become more efficient... particularily in second stage. This is often suggested to be started in the third trimester. Some feel it helped, others feel it made no difference, but it is a commonly used supplement. Also possibly helpful with preventing excessive postpartum bleeding and giving a boost to milk supply when breastfeeding.
Castor oil does work for some women, but for others it only causes them to have painful cramps and spending time on the toilet. There is concern about possibly stressing baby and causing baby to have a bowel movement which then becomes another issue. For this reason, some will suggest this as a last resort or to avoid altogether. You have to decide the possibility of which is the lesser of two potential evils... meconium in the amniotic fluid or being on pitocin from an induction for an extended time.
There are herbal supplements some midwives may use, but most doctors are not experienced with them so they would not be comfortable with their use.
Many midwives, and some doctors, may also do a membrane sweep before anything else in the attempt to cause a release of prostaglandins. Some women will have a few over the course of several days. Gets things going for some, not for others.
Again, nothing will work if your body is not ready and unless you have a medical reason to be induced (which there are very few true medical reasons for), let nature take its course... you have far less chance of any extra risks being involved... and why take them if it isn't necessary.

[davejag]

Well ladies I don't think I need to speed things up, I have not slept all night because of discomfort. When I went to Walmart this morning I had sharp pains in my lower abdomen but not worth timing, when I got home I had a very lose bowel movement. An hour later I had to pee and I saw streaks of blood. I have had discharge for two weeks now and the doctor said the baby had dropped and partly engaged. So maybe today or tomorrow all be a mom what you ladies think?

[J_9]

Could very well be this weekend. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[davejag]

Thanks J_9 I am keeping then crossed to.