Helping things along?

[user1487776842]

I'm 38+1 now and so ready to get this baby out, I have a 4 & 2 year old already so everything is getting harder and harder by the day, can't wait to be able to leave the house without almost peeing myself my OH works away and will be home Friday so I'm hoping she will make her appearance while he's here not 300 miles away... Anyone have any tips I can try during the week to ready for the weekend? I know she will come when she's ready and what not but if she doesn't come this weekend while he's here il probably have to labour and have the baby by myself so want to avoid that happening if I can. Thanks!

[mistermagpie]

I'm 37 weeks (with a 20 month old at home too) and feeling your pain. DS was born at 38 weeks so I'm hoping I'm not in for the long haul with this one.

The fact is, I don't think anything really gets things moving - they come when they are ready. However, it helps to feel like you are doing something, so last time from 37 ish weeks I took Evening Primrose Oil capsules twice a day (you can even put them up your foof if you are so inclined) and walked millions of miles. The night before I went into labour I ate a curry and loads of pineapple and had walked up a massive hill for about half an hour. These things may all have been entirely coincidental but hey, it doesn't hurt to try!

[user1487776842]

I've been taking evening primrose oil since about 34 weeks along with raspberry leaf tea tablets, I'm on 3 school runs a day so walk around 40 minutes a day plus house work, and spend an hour or so on my ball every night ... I have a midwife appointment tomorrow afternoon so going to see if I can have a sweep on thursday/Friday to see if that would work (did with dd1 but I was 6 days over) just don't want OH to miss everything. If she came this Weekend it would be so much less stressful for everyone involved lol

[mistermagpie]

Well, I think you've got everything covered really! You could DTD with DH on Friday and see if that does anything?! At my midwife they wouldn't do a sweep unless you are 40 weeks so you might not have much luck there, although it's worth asking.

[user1487776842]

Yeah think we're going to get a spicy pizza, il walk to town to meet him off the train including a pretty nasty hill! And pick up a pineapple or 3! when I was having dd1 I wasn't allowed one until 41 weeks then she came the next day... Going to play the OH is home card and see how it goes even just a normal internal to see how everything in there is looking so I know my chances!

[paperbattles]

I guess if she's not ready she won't come. Term in France is 41 weeks. Has she dropped? Is she engaged? If you are open minded there is a website about spinning babies (don't know if i am allowed to put it exactly although I have no affiliation to it). It gives guidance on positioning: Rather like midwifes' advice to scrub floors. I agree with previous poster's advice on activity if you can - all pressure bumping on the cervix thins it more quickly. Let us know.

[user1487776842]

At my last midwife appointment at 36 weeks she wrote 'brim' on my notes... But I went for a scan last week and she said she has definitely started moving down to get ready. Not sure how much though. I'm seeing her now tomorrow afternoon so I should know more then but I can feel and see that she has dropped since my last appointment hope she doesn't keep us waiting to long!

[CatsCantFlyFast]

Whilst I understand your reasons, please don't rush her out. The last few weeks do make a difference in terms of development and weight. Having had a perm baby I'd be keen for them to stay in for as long as possible

[user1487776842]

I know the only reason I'm hoping for this Weekend is because OH is home friday-sunday my last labour was only 5 hours long so if I go into labour when he's not here chances are with him being 300 miles away he'll miss it and I will have to do it all by myself... Otherwise I wouldn't be that bothered about when she came :)

[ILikeSalmon]

I'm in the same boat as you in that this is my 3rd baby and my OH works hundreds of miles away.
I'm hoping I will go overdue and need to be induced, at least then I will have a date and can go in ready. Rather than wake up in labour and have to call my OH to get home and worry about him speeding and get the kids looked after.

[SwearyBerry]

I went into labour at about midnight - earlier in the day I had walked up and down the stairs 30times, ate half a pineapple, and also had some of the sex.

[user1487776842]

Salmon it's a nightmare isn't it! I'm hoping to have her at the birth center near my house and cos they are midwife led they don't do inductions, I'd have to travel 40 minutes to my nearest hospital and I really don't want that, I had my other 2 ladies at the birth centre so I know it..yano? I just have a feeling that she will decide to come on a Monday as soon as he's headed back to work!

[RedCrab]

Completely in the same boat - same age children, 37+3, desperate for it to be over now!

Been having lots of little symptoms but I don't think can anything really make you go into labour unless baby is ready. Though with DC2 I did do a three mile uphill walk at 38 weeks and went into labour that day. I genuinely don't think I could manage it this time!