40 weeks and 2 days

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Permalink Reply by Brandi Frey on August 18, 2009 at 3:42pm

Oh, I feel for you. I've never been so miserable in my life waiting for my baby to come. I ended up being 1 week and 1 day overdue. Keep in mind, that is the average (1 week + 1day overdue). Isn't it annoying, all the people asking you when you are getting induced and telling you how their OB didn't let them go overdue? Argh. I remember people calling me everyday to see if the baby had come yet and saying I needed to get induced, and I just about lost it everytime. I feel your pain!!

I tried castor oil 3 times, and that didn't do it although I have heard of it working for many women, so I think it's worth a try. The key to making it palatable is cooking it with some scramble eggs and salsa, and making it into an egg sandwich. You can also get it in pill form. It got contractions going for me, but they always petered out after about 10 hours or so. Make sure you drink plenty of water so you don't dehydrate, because it will give you major diarrhea. I thought 2 oz was a good amount.

You can also ask your midwife to strip your membranes, which again didn't work for me, but I have heard of it doing wonders for other women. I did it once at 40 weeks, and we would have done it again at the next appt. but I ended up having my baby before that. The midwife said that it works most of the time at 41 weeks, and works often at 40 weeks.

Best of luck. I recommend getting a good book or going out to the movies and dinner a bunch. Those were all good distractions for me. I also rented a lot of movies which kept me busy. Hang in there, and best of luck!

Permalink Reply by Monique Nolan on August 18, 2009 at 4:32pm

Yeah, I've been trying to go out with my sisters as much as possible, going to the movies, getting pedi's etc. As much as I can with a toddler. But now that it's midweek I'm having a harder time being distracted! :) But no castor oil for me...I'm looking for "fun" ways to naturally induce, and castor oil does not fall into that category! lol.

Permalink Reply by Karen on August 18, 2009 at 3:48pm

My cousin used castor oil and it worked like a charm.
Just stay relaxed and enjoy these final days of your pregnancy!

Permalink Reply by Monique Nolan on August 18, 2009 at 4:30pm

Castor oil is the one thing I refuse to try. I don't need more discomfort added to my labor! :) But thanks for the suggestion! It's hard to enjoy the last few days as I'm insanely uncomfortable. I didn't mind the end of my pregnancy with #1 but I'm so much more uncomfortable this time around. Plus I'm running after a 22 month old. Not that that'll be easier when I also have to deal with a newborn! I'm only slightly impatient for him to come. I know he's going to come out in the next couple weeks, he has to!

Permalink Reply by Cherylyn on August 18, 2009 at 5:02pm

Sex is great, and fun ;) The semen has prostaglandins in it, which helps ripen the cervix. Nipple stimulation and sexual activity also help the body produce natural oxytocin to get contractions going. Evening Primrose Oil can be taken orally, and is supposed to help get labor going. The label warns not to take if you are pregnant because it can trigger contractions, and it also has a nice effect of stabilizing hormonal balance and keeping you in a good mood. Let's see... there are essential oils that are supposed to help, and I think lemon is one of them but I can't remember specifically which other oils are helpful to get labor going. You might want to do some research on that. Of course, walking and staying active helps too. That's all I can think of for now. I'll post more if I remember more.

Permalink Reply by Monique Nolan on August 18, 2009 at 5:17pm

Thanks! My husband and I have been giving the sex a try (my husband has been more than willing) but nothing so far. :) I forgot about EPO, I'll have to go get some. It'll be good afterward, too. It always helps my skin.

Permalink Reply by Cindy Lerner on August 19, 2009 at 2:40pm

My water actually broke at 37 weeks, so I was surprised by that. But I did not go into active labor until my midwife gave me black and blue cohosh (14 hours after my water broke) and she had my husband rub some essential oils on my belly and my calves. I'm not sure what actually started the labor, but it worked in about 30 minutes. The midwife and doula came in the room after leaving me and my husband alone to rub the oil on and said "ok no more oil!" because labor came on so strong after that. We had our little girl with us 4 hours later. I was really expecting to have to wait the 41 weeks because everyone said that would happen with the first baby. While pregnant though I walked at least a mile everyday even on the day before she was born. You could get your little one in the stroller and walk walk walk that baby out. I hope it happens soon for you.