When Your Two Weeks Overdue and Counting...Naturally Induced Labor Is it for you?
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Two weeks overdue and counting
Being pregnant
with my first child
is one memory I cherish....
But having to wait for him to
be born drove me crazy.
It seemed like forever waiting
for his birth.I had to do something.
After two weeks I took advice from
those around me. some of the following I tried
Online Forum Advice
Let's see.. what brings on labor... General known remedies are castor oil [really nasty but it does seem to work!], sex [yes, what got you in this situation can also help finish it], nipple stimulation [releases hormones that cause contractions], walking , *really* spicy food [mexican, italian and chinese], and most of all... RELAX! Take a warm bath. Give her a massage. Don't worry about the baby or when he/she is going to arrive. Just relax and let nature take it's course.
well from what I know to naturally induce labor is the following... castrol oil 2 ozs mixed with juice or pop however it may cause your baby to have a bowel movement which could lead to bigger problems so I would not try it myself. The other one is evening primerose oil which won't cause contractions but will help for a easier birth because it helps to rippen the cervics, raspberry leaf tea also helps to strengthen the womb (tonic) And of course lots of sex nipple stimulation, and long walks cans also sometimes do the trick providing your body is ready for labor anyways. There are other things such as herbs but I won't list simply beacuse I really don't know how safe they are. Finally you should always check with your doctor before trying to induce labor and also the baby will be born when its ready. Hopefully this helps and good luck.
Warning:The nipple stimulation is not recommended to be done at home because it releases large amounts of hormones that can distress the baby. They like to monitor the baby while this is being done.
Other good ideas that have some basis of fact, or as close as you can get ... are:
walking - If you have already begun to drop/dialate, then gravity will move the baby downwards and put pressure on your cervix. This is only effective if your body is "ready".
sex - There is something in sperm that naturally softens and dialates your cervix. But this too only works if your body is ready.
Mayo Clinic Advice
Overdue pregnancy: What to do when baby's overdue
Date updated: July 26, 2007Content provided by MayoClinic.com
Your due date has come and gone - and you're still pregnant. What's going on?
Probably nothing unusual. Although your due date may seem to have magical qualities, it's simply an educated guess about when your baby is most likely to arrive. It's perfectly normal to give birth one to two weeks before - or after - your due date. In fact, your pregnancy must continue two weeks past your due date to earn the official label of overdue pregnancy.
Enough already!
By this point, you're probably tired of being pregnant. Your back may ache, and your ankles may be swollen. You may be struggling with heartburn and varicose veins. You may have trouble sleeping because you simply can't get comfortable - or anxiety about childbirth may keep you awake.
Rest assured, an overdue pregnancy won't last forever. Labor may begin anytime.
Keeping an eye on your pregnancy
As your pregnancy continues, your health care provider will closely monitor you and your baby. He or she may check your cervix to see if it's begun to thin and dilate in preparation for labor. If you're more than one week past your due date, your health care provider may track your baby's heartbeat with an electronic fetal monitor or use ultrasound to observe your baby's movements and measure the amount of amniotic fluid.
Giving baby a nudge
Sometimes, it's better to deliver sooner rather than later - particularly if your health care provider is concerned about your health or your baby's health or your pregnancy continues more than two weeks past your due date.
Why the concern about two weeks? The longer your pregnancy continues, the larger your baby is likely to be - which may complicate a vaginal delivery. In a few cases, aging of the placenta may compromise your baby's ability to thrive in the womb. An overdue baby is also more likely to inhale fecal waste (meconium) during childbirth, which can cause a lung disease.
If you and your health care provider decide to induce your labor, you may be given medication to help your cervix soften and open. If your amniotic sac is still intact, an opening may be created with a thin plastic hook. It doesn't hurt, but you may feel a warm gush of fluid when the sac breaks open.
Often, these steps are accompanied by medication to kick-start your contractions. The most common choice is Pitocin, a synthetic version of oxytocin - a hormone your body produces at low levels throughout pregnancy and in higher levels during active labor. The dosage may be adjusted to regulate the strength and frequency of your contractions.
Hang in there
You're in the homestretch! Whether your health care provider suggests a wait-and-see approach or schedules an induction, do your best to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.
- Accept your emotions. It's OK to feel frustrated or disappointed. You probably didn't bargain for more than 40 weeks of pregnancy.
- Take advantage of the extra time. Sleep in while you can. Put the finishing touches on the nursery. Stock your freezer with extra meals. Address birth announcements and thank you cards.
- Make plans. Your health care provider may want you to stay close to home, but that's no reason to miss a new movie, go out to dinner or take a walk in the park. Don't be afraid to make plans just because you may need to cancel at the last minute.
- Put your answering machine or voice mail to work. To keep well-meaning friends and loved ones up-to-date, consider recording a greeting with the latest on the pregnancy front. "We're patiently waiting for the big day!" may be enough to handle the inquiries that are sure to test your patience.
- Treat home remedies with a dose of caution. A simple Internet search will yield countless results for "natural" ways to trigger labor, such as eating spicy food or having sex. Some tactics are relaxing, others silly - and a few may do more harm than good. Get your health care provider's OK before trying any home remedies, herbal supplements or alternative treatments.
- Stay in touch with your health care provider. You'll need frequent checkups until your baby is born. If you think you're in labor, call your health care provider right away.
Soon you'll hold your baby in your arms - and the long wait will no longer matter.
©1998-2007 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER)Wave of The Century
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My Experience
I followed advice that was similar above.
But I feel he decided to relinquish control once I put the headphones on my extremely large over-sized belly. I had recorded my singing "quite off key" and voice telling him how if he would just come out I would love ,hold and keep him safe always.He eventually that day was born and I have loved , held "when ever he needs it" and keeping him safe ever since.The love for your child is always there. The hugs are to when you see them.
The Labor is hard, but what you have labored so long for is life's Greatest Gift from God.
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Comments
Thank you for sweet comment. Being a Women does have its perks.
I had to be induced for my second baby - he was 1 week late and they found I had pre-eclampsia. He also refused to engage so the method of breaking my water was extremely painful and rather degrading. It may labour an agony (not that it's pleasant anyway) and all my hard fought dreams of a quiet home birth vanished. That said I have two beautiful boys and although I never want to go through labour again (or my miserable pregnancys) I would not swap them for the world!
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highwaystar says:
2 years ago
Glad you're a woman...excellent personal advice and this hot-pot is always a family favorite, cheers!