40 Weeks and Still No Baby! Help (UPDATE)

[JerseyMamaBear]

So im now 40 weeks with my third child and this little bugger will not make a move. I went into preterm labor with him at 22 weeks and have been pretty much on bed rest up until 34 weeks when I got the all clear that we were both safe. I guess all of the medication I was on worked too well because he is enjoying his little room a bit too much. I have been 3cm and 50% for 2 weeks now with contractions comming and going. The ob says he is still sitting pretty high up and thats why the contractions arent doing anything because he is not low enough to thin me out. I have an appointment for Thursday for an induction but would prefer to go on my own.
What tips or suggestions does everyone have to get this show on the road? We have tried a few of the "common ones" but nothing. PLus in this heat im having a hard time walking outside too much. Thanks for the help

 

[Jenvenza]

Oh, I feel your pain! Around this time 2 years ago I was pregnant with my DD. I ended up going to almost 42 weeks! EEKKK!!!! Right when I was about to be induced, she decided to come on her own. Little stinker. We tried every natural remedy we could, but in the end, I think they just come when they are ready. Good luck to you and congratulations!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

My mother was due on March 27 with my sister she had her on APRIL 27!! Perhaps this will scare you into labor. LOL

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

thats too funny, I was due Christmas morning but dident make come until Jan 31st! yuk

 

[Peanut214]

Hi there!

I know how you feel. I had my little guy at 40w3d, and I thought he would never come out! I read a lot of old wives' tales on the net, and tried a few out of desperation.

I read that pineapple, eggplant and red raspberry leaf tea are supposed to bring on labor. So, we went out and got fresh pineapple, an eggplant parm sandwich and the tea, and I had it all for lunch. I went into labor at 10pm that night! Yes, it may have been a coincidence, but it's worth a shot!

Hang in there, the end gets so rough, doesn't it? Best wishes for a speedy, smooth delivery!

 

[RangerPooh]

I had one child induced the other came at 42 weeks. Induction wasn't bad at all, although I had an awesome doctor and hospital staff. With our first (who was late) we tried walking in the sand, driving off road (on the beach and hitting potholes...not too hard where we lived), as well as lots of spicey foods and ummmm.... I think they come on their own, but it never hurts to try someof the old wives tales if they help to stimulate things along.

 

[java]

Now I don't want to freak you but my daughter was like that - I ended up with a C-sect. Turns out the reason she wasn't coming down was that she was wrapped up in the cord. She was NEVER coming down.
Just keep it in the back of your mind in case you have to go a C. The "emergency c" scared the bleep out of me. I wish I would have known going in.

GOOD LUCK And I feel like TODAY's THE DAY!

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

thanks for all of the help. we have tried some of the fun ones this past week with no luck, but its always worth another try

 

[janey99]

Just want to send you a hug - I went 1 week past my scheduled due date and went into labor on my own one day before my scheduled induction - I guess the thought of it scared DS out of me!

Jane

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

hubby and I were joking about renting a golf cart tommorow since thats how y water broke with my daughter.

 

[JVL1018]

My son was due on Labor Day 2001 and I ended up being induced 2 days later. The Pitocin was a horror until i got my epidural(if I had another baby i would have gotten them at the same time), but other than that it was quick, easy birth. 15 minutes of pushing and he was out(and he was 9.5).
Pitocin at 9 am, baby at 11:47am.
They did say I was contracting on my own and probably would have gone into labir that day on my own anyway.

I didn't do anything too crazy to try to get him to come earlier, I knew I had an induction scheduled if I went late so I didn't really stress out over it..but nothing I did do worked, I think all that stuff is just luck.
Good luck!

 

[Lisa_M]

My DD was 1 day late. I made horribly spicy chili 3 days prior, but all it did was give me such bad heartburn I couldn't eat it again for a year, so I wouldn't recommend the chili. On my due date, I was 3 cm and the midwife gave me a "vigorous exam" (her words), then I went for a walk around Target and then Walmart. 4 laps around each store. If it's hot where you are, try walking around stores, big stores

Next day she was ready to meet us. 5cm 4 min apart at 11:30am, started pushing at 3:30pm, baby born at 4:30

I know it's hard, but try to be patient. Your little guy will come when he's ready. I hope you have a quick, painless, wonderful birth!

 

[Shmily1]

DD18 was induced last Wednesday. Her 40wks was on this past Sunday, so he was 4 days early. She was induced at 9 am and asked for an epidural at 12:15... she was already on 9 cm so she couldn't get one. She was pushing at 12:30 pm and at 12:45 they rushed her out for the emergency csection. He had the cord wrapped tightly around his neck. The crazy part is she was getting sonograms 3 times a week, with the last one on last Tuesday, and the cord wasn't around his neck then. Less than 24 hours later, it was!!

She said induction was the way to go and she definitely liked the natural labor much better than the c section. Then again, she was a quick induced baby too. I agree totally! Inductionis the way to go!!!

Good luck!!!!

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

okay, so last night hubby and I had some "alone time" to kick start labor, and while it was a very nice much needed break, NOTHING! So we went out to some yard sales hoping to stir something up, and NOTHING! Even went outside for an hour and picked weeds and you guessed it,NOTHING
If nothing else I am having fun trying. Thanks for all the help and keep them comming, its fun and I enjoy reading the behind the scenes stories of everyones luck!

 

[2manyprincesses]

Were your other children early, late, on time? Each one of mine was 6 or 7 days late. EXACTLY Weird, I know.

I had midwives and a few of their "tactics" were the previously mentioned vigorous exam, stripping my membranes (don't ask me what it is, they said it may help and I said yes!), also the prescribed my some Labor Tincture. Herbal drops you put in juice to drink.

One thing they said that really helped me while I was waiting impatiently was: If you're in labor walking will help it progress faster, BUT if you aren't in labor and your body isn't ready all you're doing is making yourself tired.

So take all this with a grain of salt and best wishes to you and your family! Two of mine are 15 mos. apart and they are 2 peas in a pod, BFFs and all that. It's so cute!

 

[harleyquinn]

I was induced, but we tried a few things to get me to ripen for it. I think the most helpful things were Pineapple, a vigerous exam and that other thing that I won't get again for another month!

Best of luck!

 

[DebIreland]

100 jumping jacks STAT!! j/k (please don't do them!!! lol)

I've read that shiatsu massage can bring on labor. It might be worth a try! It could also be very relaxing. A much earned treat after 40 weeks of pregnancy!

Best of luck. I hope the baby comes soon.

 

[DebIreland]

I was induced, but we tried a few things to get me to ripen for it. I think the most helpful things were Pineapple, a vigerous exam and that other thing that I won't get again for another month!

Best of luck!

Oh my goodness, look at that adorable baby in your sig!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! She's a doll.

 

[Aisling]

At 40 weeks I was so uncomfortable with no sign of labor, so my midwife gave me castor oil to drink, and I went into labor that night. But it was a loooooong, hard labor and my baby's head was transverse, not straight down, so I eventually had a C-sec after he wouldn't/couldn't move his head down for over 20 hours. I have a feeling that we rushed him he wasn't ready, and if I waited a bit longer before taking the castor oil, his head may have moved into position naturally.

As long as there's no sign of fetal distress, maybe it's best to just let nature take it's course.

 

[jlima]

There's a restaurant in LA that serves a salad that many women swear by. Maybe you could make something like it? Romaine, watercress, walnuts & Gorgonzola, with balsamic dressing.

http://www.maternitysalad.com/home.html