Any dilation/labor tips?

[veganmama]

I am 39 weeks pregnant and attempting a VBAC (last time I had an emergency c section) so I need to go into labor on my own to avoid induction which if the cervix is not favorable would lead to repeat c section, plus once induced I would no longer be able to labor in the tub, which I really want to.

I am 80% efaced, baby has dropped to -1 (needs to be +2) and I am only a finger tip dilated.

I am putting Prim Rose oil at my cervix is there anything else to try?

I feel like I will never dilate on my own and the baby is really big and I am only 39 weeks. I just want to speed things up. Help. Veganmama

[Erin Pavlina]

You and me both sistah!

I'm 37 weeks and ready to go! Here's what my doc told me to do when I'm ready to bring on labor.

1. Walk a lot. Pushes baby down in pelvis, helps effacement.

2. Sex with hubby. The prostaglandins in the semen will further move things along and could trigger labor.

3. Nipple stimulation. This produces oxytocin and will cause contractions.

Basically those are the three things he said would most likely help. No guarantees though. Good luck and be keeping us apprised of your situation!

[Christa]

I don't know if this suggestion will work for you b/c it is kind of herbal induction, but I had wonderful luck with Blue & black cohosh to get my contractions going with #2.

I had this terrible induction with #1 that took over 3 days to get her out along with my cervix being manually forced open, pitocin, etc. I wound up hemorraging after delivery & had an epidural, which I really didn't want!

Anyway, with #2 I tested GBS + & they wanted to put me on IV antibiotics if my water was broken for more than 18 hrs before delivery. My water started to "leak", but I didn't have any contractions for a few hours. I was concerned that I was going to go over the 18 hrs, so I took a dose of the blue & black cohosh & then another an hour later. My contractions started right up & Tessa was born about 15 hrs after I took the first dose - no interventions, no meds; it was great.

I just bought a tincture of the two herbs mixed together at Wild Oats. I think that it was made by Gaia herbs. Good luck with your VBAC! It is truly empowering to have a natural labor after one that is so medical!

[kim]

Hi, before I had my baby, I had heard that having warm baths was one way to get labour going. I had a warm bath at about 9pm and started feeling labour pains at 5:30ish the next morning and had my son at 10:10am. As long as your doctor/midwife says it's ok to have baths (which, since you hope to labour in the tub, I assume its ok) - you could try this method. It worked for me!!!! Good Luck and congratulations!

[frenchie]

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea!!!!! Drink it like water....there are tablets that you can take as well. It softens the cervix, and also "tones" the cervix.....causes it to contract. Not enough that you can feel it, but your cervix does contract.

[capersmama]

My midwife gave me blue and black cohosh for my last delivery. My dr was really pushing induction...and I didnt want the hops induction.

She gave me 1 dropperful of blue and 1 dropperful of black every 15 minutes for like 1-2 hrs..lol..and I went into labor. The contractions werent sooo strong that I couldnt get on top of them. Unlike what I have heard hospital inductions can do.

Good luck!