[Creardon84]

I am supposed to call labor and delivery tomorrow well really later this morning to see if they have time and space to start my labor induction. I am 41 weeks and 5 days my due date was march 5th. They said the first thing they will do is ripen my cervix send me home and bring me back for my actual induction next week. I am so scared that it will hurt my baby or that I am going to miss out on an actual natural labor. This is my first baby.

[woohoo502]

What are they doing to ripen your cervix?

[Farmers-wife]

Why not just wait? Is there any reason to ripen/induce besides the calendar? I always go to 42 weeks. How are you feeling? Are you contracting at all on your own? Has your ob checked your cervix? Is there any change or still high and tight?

[UrbanMomma]

I'm another 42 weeker. I know its so hard to wait. Have they been doing non stress tests and checked the babys fluid levels? If all is good, the only thing I'll ever let them do is sweep (stretch, strip) the membranes. If your cervix isn't at least a little ripe and ready an induction could possibly fail.

At 41+5 you should be very near ready.

[Creardon84]

They would wait until next week but I get so uncomfortable to the point where I can't sit or be comfortable any way I try. I get pains in my lower right back and front they say it's the way she postions herself an when that happens which is every other day or so I get real naseous too. As of Monday I was only 1 cm and the previous Monday I was only 50% effaced. It's a hard decision. My bf supports whatever I want. I wanted to wait but I'm just not comfortable anymore. They said they might try a gel or stripping my membranes there were a lot of things they said they could try but they didn't say what was right for me. Maybe they didn't know. I want to make the right decision but I'm so uncomfortable I can't think straight.

[Farmers-wife]

I hear you on the discomfort. I am 40 w 5 d today, plus probably 15 years. I would allow stripping membranes (it hurts and doesn't work but at least you tried and can go home), I would consider the cervadil gel next week MAYBE, under no circumstances would I do pitocin. Your body really doesn't sound ready. Give it a week. Walk, get married, have lots of sex. It won't help either but it gives you something to do.

[Creardon84]

Oh and where I was going with my bf supporting me is that he sees how uncomfortable I am and that every other day has become a challenge for me that if I chose to be induced he'd support it. ugh I just want my baby girl in my arms and to be out of pain again!

[Farmers-wife]

I understand. I just can't tell you to have lots of sex unless you are married, so I had to throw that in. Ask urban momma, she'll tell you.

And you will feel so good after she is out, ESP if you are going naturally. No way to describe it til you feel it. Here's to all of us going in the next week!

[pumpkinpie24]

For baby #1 at 41 weeks I had my cervix ripened, was induced, had an epidural, had a wonderful labor experience, and gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby.

I'm not implying that everyone who gives birth that way has the same experience and outcome as I did. Don't rely on anecdotes like mine. Read up on it! Ask health professionals! Be sure you are making the right decision for yourself!

[woohoo502]

I agree that if your body isn't ready, an induction will not be successful. I hope your baby decides to come on its own so you don't have to be induced. Everyone gets uncomfortable at the end. You most likely only have days left before you go on your own, so I would really try to stick it out if you can.

[UrbanMomma]

I completely understand you on the uncomfortable. I give birth to linebackers, my biggest was 11lbs 8 oz, born a week and a half late at home. I currently am very uncomfy, can't walk real well, not sleeping. I can't be induced because of two previous sections, so I have to wait.

I can do a membrane sweep, and probably will at 41 1/2 weeks. I don't think it hurts, uncomfy, yeah, but painful, no. Of course I did it twice with my last baby, 41+ and 42 weeks, so actually saying it works....well, I can't. She was born 15 minutes shy of 42+1.

LOL @ Farmers Wife ......yeah, get married and have lots of sex. She used to tell me to get married too.

[Farmers-wife]

And you did so now I just say lots of sex!

[UrbanMomma]

Thats the plan for the weekend!!!LOL

[Creardon84]

Well I went in for cervical ripening... Before I left my house to go I went pee and noticed blood. Went in and got sent home! I'm in early labor!!! I can't believe it! Now I'm not worried my baby girl decided to do this on her own. No help needed. Thanks for all the replies every bit helps!