If you used your pump for nipple stimulation prior to labor, how frequently and how long did you pump? What did you do with the colostrum? I only did a few min per side but stopped because I wasn't sure what to do with it. My book said an hour 3x a day which seems intense.
Have you had your membranes swept? My first I did nothing to really induce labor. I was 6 days overdue, never had a regular contraction, and I had a C-section.
baby #2 I did lots of walking, pumped, ate pineapple, had sex, did nipple stimulation, had my membranes swept, the whole 9. I was able to have a vbac.
No I was dilated at my last appt, we will see today! I have an adjustment and acu today, acu and an induction massage on Friday. I am thinking this baby is nice and cozy though! I'm giving myself one week to try everything then I'm going to enjoy Christmas and accept the c section on 12/28.
Post by pinkpeony08 on Dec 14, 2015 8:24:08 GMT -5
I used it for my last baby, trying to induce labor. I heard mixed recs... I think 20-30 Minutes, break 5-10 then repeat. Lube the flanges with nipple cream. Also try.... (Was also desperately avoiding induction) -acupuncture -chiropractor(only time I've ever been- went into labor that night)- supposed to help with positioning - someone with a lot of experience with pregnant moms -sex -walking -strip membranes
Just coming in to say good luck and that I definitely would NOT dump anything you get! Freeze it and you can always dump it later if you don't need it. If you have any latching issues it will be super nice to have some colostrum already pumped to offer. If not, no harm done.
Have you talked to your Dr? I thought your due date was after New Years and your CS was scheduled after Christmas? I would not be doing this yet. I remember the anticipation and wanting to have the baby OUT but if you still have 3 weeks left, I would wait until next week. And ask your dr.
Yes my OB actually gave me the go ahead at 36w, I felt more comfortable waiting until 37w. The closer I get I will have to have a section regardless, he would prefer I go sooner rather than later (which is why he was going to strip membranes at 36.5 had I been dilated).
Have you talked to your Dr? I thought your due date was after New Years and your CS was scheduled after Christmas? I would not be doing this yet. I remember the anticipation and wanting to have the baby OUT but if you still have 3 weeks left, I would wait until next week. And ask your dr.
Yes my OB actually gave me the go ahead at 36w, I felt more comfortable waiting until 37w. The closer I get I will have to have a section regardless, he would prefer I go sooner rather than later (which is why he was going to strip membranes at 36.5 had I been dilated).
Post by pinkpeony08 on Dec 14, 2015 9:27:14 GMT -5
None of the tricks will work if your baby isn't ready.... Why so early? Is there a risk factor specific to your situation that they don't want you to go to term? If not, I wouldn't consent to scheduled c section if everything is fine with baby until after 41 weeks!
The study I read I believe said 1-3 hours of stimulation a day. I'd go for shorter increments, no more than half an hour at a time. And it's always worth saving what you pump IMO. There's nothing wrong with your colostrum now. I don't advise people to do this to bank colostrum, but if you're pumping for a different reason then you might as well save it.
I agree that I'm a little concerned that you're trying to induce at 37 weeks. I'm assuming there's a reason you're going to give birth before your due date, but I'd wait at least another week so you're not in early-term territory.
I feel bad when an OP has a specific medical situation and people descend in like moths to a flame with their ideas of how things should be.
Thanks! I understand why people are concerned. It's taken a lot for me to get to the point of acceptance and I'm sure people with an incomplete picture of my medical situation (which I specifically didn't go into in the OP because I'm over debating it with myself) would have an even harder time accepting. But none of these work if the baby isn't ready, so I view as very low risk and I don't think my OB would have encouraged it if it weren't okay. And it is immensely beneficial for my mental health in accepting the scheduled c section. I want to go into it with an "at least I tried what I could" mindset.
I never successfully went into labor on my own (I could not go near full term either for baby's safety)...but I just got induced & had vag delivery 4xs. I've heard of egg plant & some tea that is supposed to help but I never tried that (I did sex, membranes, etc). Good luck!
Post by pinkpeony08 on Dec 14, 2015 10:28:14 GMT -5
Thanks for the update- I hear too many times where people are scheduling a C-section because they "are uncomfortable" at 39 weeks without medical reason. I hope something works!! Either way, that baby will be here before you know it.
I never successfully went into labor on my own (I could not go near full term either for baby's safety)...but I just got induced & had vag delivery 4xs. I've heard of egg plant & some tea that is supposed to help but I never tried that (I did sex, membranes, etc). Good luck!
That is another hope of mine! I am thinking I have about a 5% chance of going into labor this next week. My doc had previously said I need to be at 4 cm / 80% effaced for induction over a c section, so maybe if some of this gets me a little more favorable and if I fail a NST this week I might be able to try.
Nothing to add to your original question, but I was obsessed with this website towards the end of my pg. hopefully it's not discouraging since you're still a tad early, but maybe you're in the "more info is better" camp.
FWIW, I really like your mentality on this. I had a CS despite it NOT being in my birth plan (like explicitly stated no CS please. lol forever) and it was fine.
I feel bad when an OP has a specific medical situation and people descend in like moths to a flame with their ideas of how things should be.
Thanks! I understand why people are concerned. It's taken a lot for me to get to the point of acceptance and I'm sure people with an incomplete picture of my medical situation (which I specifically didn't go into in the OP because I'm over debating it with myself) would have an even harder time accepting. But none of these work if the baby isn't ready, so I view as very low risk and I don't think my OB would have encouraged it if it weren't okay. And it is immensely beneficial for my mental health in accepting the scheduled c section. I want to go into it with an "at least I tried what I could" mindset.
I was an unexpected c-section mom due to poor head position. Getting over the c/s disappointment is a real thing that you have to allow yourself to process. I would try anything in advance to avoid as well.
But if it comes to it, know you really will feel better every day. The first week is kind of crap, but the next week is an immense improvement. A lot of us had c/s and will be happy to give support and encouragement.
That is another hope of mine! I am thinking I have about a 5% chance of going into labor this next week. My doc had previously said I need to be at 4 cm / 80% effaced for induction over a c section, so maybe if some of this gets me a little more favorable and if I fail a NST this week I might be able to try.
I made it to 4cm and 90% in week 38, so there is hope! Induced two days before due date (12/13, and today is her 2nd bday!). We didn't try anything to induce labor until week 39, I just wanted to make sure your dr was on board. My midwife was very adamant that while I qualified for early induction (for medical reasons) there is no way they would do it at 37 weeks, had to wait until 39. We discussed the next kids birth right away because my daughter was almost 10 pounds and I had severe water retention. I suggested 37 weeks and she said no freaking way.
I do think my kid also suffered from water retention as she dropped a lot post-birth and took awhile to regain.
Good luck!
It sounds like we are in similar spots! I think the new term guidelines are overall a good things but I do think it's hard for those of us in the grey area where we don't meet early induction indications but would benefit from earlier delivery. It's so hard to hear "we really need you to deliver as soon as possible, but we can't touch you until 39w so do what you can but its probably not going to work."
Thanks for the update- I hear too many times where people are scheduling a C-section because they "are uncomfortable" at 39 weeks without medical reason. I hope something works!! Either way, that baby will be here before you know it.
I spent 6 weeks doing hypnobabies, do an hour of hypno practice a day, and have been doing daily strength training to prepare for a hopefully uneducated vaginal birth. A scheduled c section is pretty far from what I had hips and planned for. Fwiw, I'm not the slightest bit uncomfortable and feel fantastic. I'm able to work out every day and spend pretty much my entire day standing. My physical comfort has nothing to do with it.
I did not try it even though I went to almost 42 weeks and needed an induction. My friend recommended it to me, but warned it would be unpleasant. I think she only pumped for 30 minutes at a time. No way could I do an hour. Even when nursing I would find that uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, like you said you're in a weird spot. Most info you find might only be applicable to at or post-term women. I don't know how being early affects the efficacy of it. Good luck!
I feel bad when an OP has a specific medical situation and people descend in like moths to a flame with their ideas of how things should be.
Thanks! I understand why people are concerned. It's taken a lot for me to get to the point of acceptance and I'm sure people with an incomplete picture of my medical situation (which I specifically didn't go into in the OP because I'm over debating it with myself) would have an even harder time accepting. But none of these work if the baby isn't ready, so I view as very low risk and I don't think my OB would have encouraged it if it weren't okay. And it is immensely beneficial for my mental health in accepting the scheduled c section. I want to go into it with an "at least I tried what I could" mindset.
I don't know if you have other kids, so maybe this is pointless, but having a c section worked out for me. It was an emergency situation, but the recovery was easy and relatively quick. So, just posting to say it wasn't the terrible thing I had made it out to be in my head. I actually will schedule a c-section for the second. I have no interest in a VBAC. I hope you get whatever outcome you want and that you're able to enjoy the holidays regardless of what happens. Good luck!
boiler717 - no need to justify anything - you have had quite the journey getting to this point....enjoy the remaining time you have left (if you can!) and have confidence in the fact you have very capable and qualified health professionals who will make sure to get your baby and you through this safely. With ds1 the initial plan for me was to deliver at 32 weeks. Luckily I made it further. With ds2 I delivered at 38+3. Both my boys are happy and healthy. I'm so happy for you and the end is in sight my dear - YOU ARE SO CLOSE!
I have had two cs...first was an emergency (though I knew the delivery would be via cs) and the second was scheduled. I will say the emergency cs was rough in comparison to the scheduled. Things were more chaotic and the recovery time was longer and more painful. With my scheduled cs that I had on December 1, I felt good enough I could have gone home the next day if I hadn't had a sinus infection and cough which caused a fever. the pain was minimal and by the time I left the hospital I wasn't taking painkillers and I could walk normally. Even though it was major abdominal surgery, it truly didn't feel like it!
Two tips though, if you are in a lot of pain, stay on top of it...take the painkillers. Also, if you don't have one already, get a belly binder. The hospital should have one and it helps with the initial walking and moving around. you are almost there and I can't wait for the baby boiler arrival announcement.