Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Unflip

1 2

AIBU?

To ask how to get this baby moving!!

44 replies

TheHermitCrab · 09/01/2015 18:37

I know I could post this in pregnancy, but it's quite quiet on there and I know it's popular here, (OK I'm cheating!!)

I'm 38 weeks pregnant, my waters broke at 4am this morning, and they have booked me in to be induced at 5am tomorrow, and I am not keen on the idea!

I've not slept in 48 hours so spent the day in bed today, so really I need to spend the night trying to get this baby moving.

No guarantees I know, but any of you got any ideas on some labour inducing activities at home?? (I don't have any gym balls or anything snazzy)

Thanks ladies!

OP posts:

Report

DaffyDuck88 · 10/01/2015 16:11

Really hope its all gone well OP!! And that little one decided to get things moving herself and is now safely in your arms.

Report

TheHermitCrab · 09/01/2015 22:04

Well after all the walking around, squatting and moving my waters stopped leaking! So I sat in bed legs crossed and rocked around a bit and the flood gates opened again. (And this time quite pinkish, so I'm guessing mucus plug too?)

So I'm in bed rocking back and forth to Michael Jackson on the music player, legs crossed, looking like I need sectioning! haha

OP posts:

Report

sleepingdragon · 09/01/2015 21:58

I had my DS last summer, my waters also broke in the middle of the night, scuppering my water birth plans! Nipple stimulation and, ahem, clitoral stimulation were both good at getting some contractions going. they stopped when I stopped but I think were beneficial, as contractions started overnight and by the time I went to the hospital at 7.30 (slightly more civilised time that for you, and still I sat around for 90 mins waiting) and they examined me a couple of hours later I was 4cm dilated and didn't need inducing. before I was examined they went through all the induction options, and had agreed I could be induced without constant monitoring, as I really wanted to move around.

Report

TheHermitCrab · 09/01/2015 21:49

He neither has a watermelon nor a vagina, so he can beggar off.

He was just like "Why don't you want her out as quick as possible!" I want her out the best way possible. Isn't always the fastest! lol

OP posts:

Report

wasabipeanut · 09/01/2015 21:49

Rub bump with jasmine oil (diluted in a carrier like sweet almond oil) and take evening primrose oil orally. I would suggest a more (ahem) direct approach with evening primrose but not great if waters have broken. A combo of these helped with DC's 2 & 3.

Best of luck x

Report

wobblyweebles · 09/01/2015 21:43

I fully intend to still go in at 5am so they can look at me and check everything is ok, see how I'm doing...etc I'm fine with being "inspected" but then I may discuss waiting a bit longer.

Yep. If your husband was about to push a watermelon out of his vagina then he would certainly be in a position to tell you what you should do, but I think he isn't...

Report

TheHermitCrab · 09/01/2015 21:02

I didn't go to any antenatal classes but was surprised to read online that only about 20% of labours start with the water breaking first, I always just considered that's what happened!

Went to see the MW on Weds and she said baby wasn't ready yet and definitely wasn't engaged, so was a big shocked to wake up in a puddle lol!

OP posts:

Report

Showy · 09/01/2015 20:55

I don't think there's much you can do. I'd advise getting some rest.

My waters broke out of the blue with both of mine and I had 31hrs and 38hrs respectively between that and birth.

I did end up with an emcs both times BUT not due to progression of labour really, it was a problem with the babies' positions. In fact, my waters had broken a couple of weeks early because of their position. I didn't have an induction with either, labour started immediately both times but I did end up with a lot of intervention and emcs.

You just don't know and can't plan. I tried for two homebirths and had two emcs. This was all luck. The 2nd emcs in particular was brilliantly positive. No it wasn't what I planned but there can be joy in any method of delivery.

Good luck. ATM there's no reason to believe you won't have a normal delivery.

Report

Allegrogirl · 09/01/2015 20:46

Anyway, sorry no advice on getting baby moving as I failed. Scrubbing the floor broke my waters first time, a sweep broke them the second. Failed to go into labour though. They didn't mention that as a possibility at antenatal class. Danced loads too. Shimmying passed the time but didn't shift them.

Report

Allegrogirl · 09/01/2015 20:41

This happened to me 7 years ago and the hospital policy at the time for allow up to 96 hours to let nature take it's course (in line with NICE guidelines now changed to 24 hours). It didn't in my case. They tried a pessary which also didn't do anything so had syntocin and it was all over 7 hours after the drip going in. Wasn't what I would have chosen but it was fine and I didn't need forceps or ventouse.

I wish I had accepted the offer of an earlier induction as I was sitting around for days waiting for something to happen. I was in a very small percentage of women who don't go into labour waters break. Same happened with my second.

Hopefully it will kick off for your tonight so you won't need to make any decisions in the morning.

Report

SeasonsEatings · 09/01/2015 20:40

I danced to Will I Am, this is love, a lot.

A proper get your hips gyrating dancing session is what you need! Will help dilation.

Report

TheHermitCrab · 09/01/2015 20:30

WrappedInABlankie I've got an ipod with my Oh's music on connected to some speakers that look like a stuffed monkey for entertainment, and I hate his music. IF my hospital had WIFI I'd so be taking the laptop!

Mines a big puma gym bag, too big or heavy for me to carry lol.

Don't think they'd keep my in, unless something was complicated, seem to have a strict policy of "send em home until they are screaming lol"

OP posts:

Report

WrappedInABlankie · 09/01/2015 20:19

I took a hand luggage suitcase in with me when I went to be induced had my laptop and everything it took 3 days from my first Pessary to him being born

Report

TheHermitCrab · 09/01/2015 20:15

MincePieDiet I fully intend to still go in at 5am so they can look at me and check everything is ok, see how I'm doing...etc I'm fine with being "inspected" but then I may discuss waiting a bit longer.

Although my OH has just kicked off at this idea. Apparently the hospitals know best and I should just use their one photocopied sheet of info they got me and not look into it further online. He's looking for a kicking before I even go into labour at this rate lol.

OP posts:

Report

knowler · 09/01/2015 20:15

Just to say that I was v anti-induction before Ds2, but ended up going for it at 42 weeks for a variety of reasons, having tried every trick to get baby moving. Only thing I didn't do was to eat lots of dates - apparently about 8 might work - so if you've got any left over after Xmas might be worth a try. I couldn't get any in June!!

And DS2' birth was bloody brilliant. Took a while to get going but when it did it was quick and incredibly exciting!! No forceps or ventouse and just gas and air.

If you do go for it, make sure you find out exact procedure (should all be explained to you) so you know exactly what's happening when.

Report

dreamingofwineandcheese · 09/01/2015 20:12

I had to be induced at 40 weeks due to big baby and it really wasn't as bad as I was expecting although I know it's not ideal. I hope things happen naturally for you OP there is still time!

I tried everything to try and get DD to arrive beforehand but she wouldn't budge! All worth it in the end though.

Good luck

Report

MincePieDiet · 09/01/2015 20:08

Hermit crab in that case I think you need to ring and speak to whoever is in charge of the area you are going to ie ward or delivery. And explain you would prefer to wait a further 24 hours. This is not unreasonable as you're not suggesting doing something unsafe or not attending at all. The problem I have found though is that they try to wear you down by mentioning risks and infections. Good luck whatever you do.

Report

SparklyTwinkleGlitter · 09/01/2015 20:04

If you are induced, try not to worry about it. They do keep a good eye on you.

I was induced at 42 weeks and it took about 20 hours from start to finish so it's not necessarily a speedy process.

From my NCT classes, I wrongly assumed it would be all over with in a couple of hours. Fat chance!

Report

TheHermitCrab · 09/01/2015 20:03

I have an exercise bike. Is that wise to go on or is that the wrong type of movement?!

OP posts:

Report

mrsm16 · 09/01/2015 20:03

Go for a walk but walk one foot on the path and one foot on the road! advice a midwife gave me, didn't work for me though sorry! Best of luck

Report

TheHermitCrab · 09/01/2015 20:02

MincePieDiet

I do agree with you, they've sent me home with thermometer strips, got to log my temp every 4 hours, colour of waters (although they've stopped now) and any sickness. I do feel sick but I think that is purely lack of sleep.

The fact I have to go in at 5am is somewhat annoying too, they are really sticking to the book, MW said they want it as close to 24 hours after my waters broke as possible. Being I'm still 2 weeks off my due date, and showing no signs of anything, and baby is fine, seems a bit strict.

I think waiting another 24 hours would be better than going straight in for the induction, as they both have their risks. :/ It's a pickle.

First baby so I'm going in blind.

OP posts:

Report

MrsCaptainReynolds · 09/01/2015 20:02

I'd alternate them with moving around to let gravity help.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Email address

You've subscribed!

MrsCaptainReynolds · 09/01/2015 20:00

Focus on exercises to engage the baby -spinningbabies.com/techniques/activities-for-fetal-positioning/walchers-trochanter-roll

Report

TheHermitCrab · 09/01/2015 19:59

Mammanat222 - mentioned in my OP I have nothing snazzy like a gym ball I'm afraid. Don't even have any nursing bras, on a tight budget lol! :)

bigfam from about 4am until 12 noon my waters broke in gushes, every time they did I had mild period type pains just after, havent had anything in the last few hours though. But other than that no, nothing, I feel the same as I have for the last month!

I just wanted to be able to birth without any messing after such a simple pregnancy. I felt like shit the whole pregnancy but every mw check everything was "perfect" so to be messing about at the end when I thought I'd just be jumping in a pool is annoying me! I've never had anything medical done to me really (never even had my blood taken until I was pregnant), Don't want the extra stress of people faffing about with me. Stupid waters breaking lol. I know induction isn't rare or special, just inconvenient when you feel like your body will probably sort itself out anyway!

I'll probably go in with my epic hospital bag/suitcase/second home in the pissing down wind and rain and end up having to turn around, go home, and wait again! lol

OP posts:

Report

MincePieDiet · 09/01/2015 19:53

Well you do have a choice. If you don't want to be induced you can sit down and discuss a plan to attend for daily monitoring and temperature checks for anything up to 4 days after your waters break. The risk of infection does exist but unless you display any outward signs of it or your baby's not movng well there's a school of thought that it's better to wait it out and see. Every maternity unit has it's own policy. A lot induce after 24 or 48 hours. Some wait 4 days. They would not do this if their rates of infection in mums and babies were high. You may not agree but I just feel it's wrong to go along with it just because they say so when it's clearly not what you want.