...and we all know that me doing some thinking isn't always a good thing! :) After the absolute freakin' shock started to wear off yesterday, I started thinking about this whole induction thing.
If I'm being honest, it is pretty much scaring my socks off.
I KNOW that my doctor has my best interests at heart and I really do trust her. I KNOW that she is trying to do what is best for Miss P and I don't want my neurosis to get in the way of that. I KNOW that inductions are common and that I should probably just try to relax. I KNOW all of these things and more...but I'm still freaking out just a bit. Okay, maybe a little more than a bit but I'm better today than I was yesterday.
[And on that note, I have to send a HUGE 'Thank You' to my buddy Brenda who listened to my whinings and ravings and irrational fears when I got finished at the doc's yesterday. She just listened and didn't tell me I was going crazy after I had gone in for a routine visit and came out with a scheduled induction. Thanks, again, my friend! I really don't know what I would have done without your levelheadedness. (Yes, I do...some random stranger would have watched me have a nervous breakdown/panic attack in the grocery store and I'd probably be in some psych ward now. ;p) She gave me some great advice (more on that in a minute) and pretty much helped me realize that regardless of the next step, that I wasn't losing my mind. :)]
Everyone that knows us is super excited now that we have a definite end in sight. And I AM excited, too. Excited is only part of it. But it all got me to thinking: what if this isn't the best plan for us?
I was up nearly all night alternately being scared and excited and worried and some other emotions that I just can't name. I was sick and achy and had BH contractions a lot, which is probably great for the impeding delivery but it made for a long night. A long night with lots and lots of time to think about things. Good things, bad things, frightening things...all manner of things...but with no real purpose or solution or answers for all the unknowns rolling around in my head. I had lots of time to think about one of the things that Brenda and I talked about during my ramblings: natural forms of induction (things like BDing and castor oil and all that good stuff) and what other alternatives there were out there. Things that we could do before D-Day to try and get the ball rolling on our own. Any of you guys want to chime in on that? What have you done? Or what have others you know done? Did it work for you/them? I'll be doing my own research on the subject but I'd REALLY like to have your take on that. So, comment away, okay?
Reading back over this post, I just want to qualify: I'm NOT going to let my fears get in the way of P's health and well being. I think I sound a little nutso! :) The shock is sort of wearing off now and I WILL deal with this, whether I go into labor naturally or with home-remedy type induction therapies or at the hospital after my routine medical induction. I WILL BE FINE. :) But I wouldn't be the person that I am if I didn't worry myself to death about all this, research it into the ground and lay it all out for everyone to see, right? We've come too far to allow something like this to throw us off track and I promised myself that I wasn't going to lose it if it came down to this, remember? Guess that didn't happen as planned! ;) Man, those 'What If's" get me every time!
Thanks, once again, for listening to your semi-crazy, slightly neurotic blog buddy as I hash out the things in my head. I really do love and appreciate you all and value what you have to say. So say it, alright?? :)
5 comments:
Kelli I have obviously not been through this yet... Can't wait to but, my best best friend totally did the caster oil and bding and went early on the first right on time with her second.
**I HATE BLOGGER!! I typed a huge response and it had an error. Ugh, so if you got it still and this is a repeat sorry.**
First SUPER BIG GIANT ((HUGS))!! Second breathe. :) I don't think you're crazy. If I were in your shoes, which if Liam doesn't come by 41w I will be, I would be feeling the same way you are right now. After what we've been through we're entitled to be a little more skeptical and worried. This was somewhat out of the blue and unexpected for you so you are dealing with it the best you can. On the advice of a doula I interviewed I just finished reading a book called The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth. I will share with you the induction info to give you a little more info to help you feel more in control and able to ask questions. I will disclose that the author is a natural childbirth advocate so so of course prefers the fewest interventions possible, but she addresses the best ways to go about using the interventions that must be used. Cervadil is on a string so just in case it gives you contractions that are too strong, it can be taken out. Miss P will be monitored closely so they will know right away if they need to change directions with your treatment. She recommends that when they start you on Oxytocin(Pitocin) you ask that they start you out on a low dose, give it at least 30 minutes to work, and up it a little only if after 30 minutes or so it doesn't seem to be working. Sometimes it only takes a little bit to get the desired results. Also she says once you are in actively dilating you can ask them to stop or back down the Oxytocin, once labor is established it can sometimes continue on it's own. She also suggests that you should make sure your IV has salt in it(it should, but just to double check). Oxytocin+salt-free IV=fluid retention, no fun. Her non-medical induction methods are nipple stimulation(breast pump even), castor oil, acupunture, and that thing we were supposed to be able to do to get pregnant in the first place. My OB also forbid foot massage during pregnancy because I guess there are some pressure points in your feet that can start labor.
I know it's very hard but try to have faith in your body's ability to do what it's made for. I almost slapped my DH when he said that to me the other day, but he's right. We were made to birth babies. Your body has done an amazing job at growing Miss P into a healthy beautiful little baby ready to enter the outside world!! I believe you and Miss P will do an amazing job, natural or induced!! I hope you're able to start labor on your own between now and next week. If not your doctor has done a fabulous job watching Miss P through now and I know that will continue through your labor, induced or not. Try to enjoy the weekend, it's your last baby-free weekend!! :) Next week at this time you'll be holding the beautiful Miss P!! :)
I used a castor oil induction called British Midwives Cocktail. Your OB would flip but I was given the okay by my OB and supervised by my doula. It's gross but worked. If you are desperate, I'll talk to you about it.
Evening Primrose Oil is a well known, safe alternative. From the site Birthing Naturally-
Evening primrose oil helps to soften the cervix by providing prostaglandins and the components the body needs to make prostaglandins. This can help to ripen a cervix to help encourage labor or to speed labor.
Prostaglandins are also in semen but you'd have to have a LOT of semen to get the benefits of EPO! Check this site for administration techniques. It can be taken orally but vaginally will yield the best results. This works! Even if you are induced, it can give you a good start to things.
http://www.birthingnaturally.net/cn/natural/primrose.html
The site also has some castor oil recipes but not quite the same as mine:) Mine is the best!
Caulophyllum or Pulsatilla are homeopathic remedies that can help as well. The Caulophyllum can cause contractions that tone the uterus and strengthen it for labor, allowing the uterus to work more efficiently and make every contraction count. You can get these two items at Whole Foods.
(HUGS) - it's ok to feel frazzled!!!
I've heard that the pressure points in your feet and calves can help w/ inducing labor (hmmm... good excuse for a foot massage); also, I've heard that the pressure point in the webbing between your thumb and pointer finger will do the same. Check out Monica @ KUKD (http://knockedupknockeddown.blogspot.com) - her post about castor oil (it's a ways down on the page - 3/23/10 I think) has a few things to make you chuckle).
OMG OMG OMG things sure have taken a change huh girl? How exciting. You are sane, not crazy my friend. I think i would be feeling a mix of emotions too. The ladies above seem to have some really good advice, I may come back to these comments later, if I need to. So breathe, relax if you can and know little P girl will be in your arms and in our hearts soon. Big hugs I sure did miss you but did not expect all this, but am so so so happy! xoxoxo
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