Homebirth and overdue

[Marmalade]

For anyone who has been overdue by two weeks and had a home birth, what did your midwife do to get you moving? Mine has suggested Castor Oil but I really don't want to do that. Anybody use blue and black cososh?

[Andrea_G]

Do you HAVE to do something? Will she let you go longer than 2 weeks overdue? The cohoshes are an option, but they have certain risks that the castor oil may not have... but castor oil is not risk free either. Both of them won't work if you're not already close to giving birth.

[Marmalade]

My midwife will let me go over as long as the baby and I are doing alright. I think I'm just impatient. She said that if nothing happens by Tuesday I should start trying to naturally induce it. And if I go three weeks over then try the cohosh. I thought being my third baby it would come closer to its due date than my other two. I must have a faulty uterus.

[Andrea_G]

Nope, not a faulty uterus. Just a very cozy baby. The "domino effect" for readiness to kick start birth starts with the baby's hormone system (based on research done on animals, too invasive to study on human babies).

I have a web page on inductions, if you're interested - http://www.flash.net/~dagenung/inductions.html

If this is your 3rd, you could very easily be in labor by tomorrow or next week. I know with my 3rd, my midwife checked me on Thursday and was CERTAIN that we wouldn't have a baby over the weekend - and lo and behold, she surprised us both! It's not going to take much to get your body started for labor, but if it hasn't happened yet - there's probably a good reason.

Is there anything you can think of that you'd like to do with your other two children before this baby arrives? Things that will be harder to do once the baby is here? Maybe that would help with the impatience? Being overdue really is the pits!

[tammy]

I have used Cohash (both) mixed w/ red raspberry tea. Also had membranes stripped gently. Both gave me contractions- but in my experience it may have helped, but labor started when it was darn good & ready! Also- tried to get some walking in.

PS I researched and couldn't find a problem w/ these methods- and they worked out ok for me, however I don't want to tell you that they're 100% safe. Listen to your body & your mw

[tina & bean]

We felt we had to get things moving as well. Being GBS+ and having ruptured membranes for 36+ hours, with not a contraction to speak of, made us feel we needed to do something gentle. My midwife suggested acupuncture. I had never tried it before, but I can tell you I am a true believer now. We had our baby just a few hours after the appt. My cervix was not dilated at all before so it came on a bit fast for me, but the result was great!

[djk42]

My midwife said that third babies are notorious for long labors or being too early or too late.. so my five day labor and three week late third child was right on target for her. *lol* After two days of contractions she suggested cohosh but I said not yet, and two days later she suggested cohosh or AROM. I agreed to AROM because it had been done in my previous, hospital, labors and was fine, and I knew that she didn't have a 18hr time limit on broken waters. I was progressing, just super slow, and AROM sped things up a lot.. baby was born within hours. I would wait a week, and make sure things are "ready" around your house. Make sure you are ready for the baby, etc. This is the last moment your youngest will be the youngest, so make the most of it. :)

[catkrazy99]

I've heard that frying eggs in castor oil helps get labor going. I was 2 weeks early so I never had to worry about being late.

[Marmalade]

Thanks for all your replies. I saw my midwife today and she asked if I wanted the cohosh but I told her I would wait for nature to take its course. Now I'm having contractions for the first time without having to be injected with pitocin. <Yippee>

[midwifetx]

I like the "wait and watch" approach myself. Castor Oil is a miserable way to have a baby. BTDT, personally.

My mantra as a midwife is "don't-induce-don't-augment"

God is the best determiner of birthdays

[teachinmama]

I agree about the third baby thing. They like to be different! lol

My first two were both 2 wks early and labor started EXACTLY the same both times. And, my labor progressed exactly the same and was quick (5hrs and 3hrs)! OH..and the pushing was the same.

GraceAnne on the other hand...TOTALLY different!!!!!!!!! Came a day after her u/s edd (10-18. LMP edd was 10-24...so who really knows if she was early or late..lol)...I was in early labor for weeks...labor was longer..and pushing was totally different!

Hang in there....

[jennmomof1]

My midwife did nothing. She believes a women will go when shes ready. I was 17 days over due. I think my due date was wrong.
jenn