I had my weekly doctor’s appointment yesterday and found out that my doctor’s office does not like to let patients go past 41 weeks. Since my due date is February 4, if I don’t go into labor by February 11, they want to induce me by the 15th at the absolute latest.
So, I have 2 weeks to go into labor on my own. I was induced with Zoë, and it wasn’t a pleasant experience, so I’d love to avoid it if at all possible. I guess it’s time to get walking every day again (although I did that every day for 4 weeks with Zoë to no avail). I walked 3-4 miles yesterday and I’m going to try to walk again this evening.
By the way, I don’t even know how far dilated I am. The doctor that I’m seeing now doesn’t check, and I guess I can understand why. I was dilated to 4 cm at 37 weeks with Zoë and just wouldn’t budge past that. So, I guess it’s better not to be celebrating that I’m dilated when I know it wasn’t a good gauge of going into labor for me in the past.
So now, it’s just a waiting game. Hopefully Kaylee doesn’t decide to wait out the two-week window that was given to me today.
I know there are all sorts of wives tales about what will send you into labor. What worked for you?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I had to be induced with both boys – would not dialate past 5. We ran into some trouble with Derek reacting to the Pstosin so in order to speed up my labor, they put me on my hands and knees. There is an old wives tale that scrubbing the floor on your hands and knees will speed up labor so maybe there is something to that. I would not recommend scrubbing your whole apartment on your hands and knees, but you might try getting on your hands and knees and resting your head and shoulders on the couch.
My mother-in-law drank Castor Oil to speed up labor. She said it probably did help, but she wouldn’t recommend it for anyone!
I also read somewhere that having sex can make you go into labor too.
My due date is Feb. 13 and they already scheduled me for induction for 22nd. I hope I don’t have to wait that long.
Hope it’ll happen soon for you, good luck!
Mimi – I didn’t know that you were induced. And with no pain meds – yikes! I’m really hoping I can do it without an epidural this time, but I know if they put me on pitocin that won’t be an option. I’ll have to try the other recommendation.
Malika – My mom drank castor oil with me (I was born a month and 3 days late). She did go into labor, but said she had never been sicker in her life. I think it caused me to go into distress as well because she ended up with a c-section, so I won’t be going that route!
I’ve heard the sex one too… not as easy to work on that with an active toddler around
I hope you go into labor before the 22nd too. I was induced with Zoe and I don’t wish that on anyone! I think you said you were early with your first, so hopefully you’ll be early with this one too
I haven’t ever tried Castor Oil, but my midwives swear by it … they have a secret ice cream recipe they use. Too bad I can’t get my hands on that for you!! I’ll see …
Good luck with the Pitocin. If all else fails and you don’t go into labor on your own, I suggest going slow with the Pitocin. I tried to be a warrior and upped it way too quickly. They didn’t take me off it, and my own labor started on top of the induced chemical labor. If anyone can learn from my mistake, then it wasn’t in vain! Go slowly, then ask to be taken off it if your body reacts by starting it’s own labor. Then you’ll be MUCH more likely to avoid any other interventions. In my opinion, anyway. Best of luck!!!