Sunday night I had contractions every fifteen minutes. Monday they stopped. Now I am back to just plain old pregnant.
The usual folk methods for inducing labor are not working, and lately I imagine my husband mournfully confiding in someone, “My wife only wants me for my prostaglandins.” Poor fella.
I read about the poor, desperate pregnant women who take castor oil in hopes of stimulating labor. It causes horrible, um, digestive trouble, and the thinking is that the bowel spasms might start contractions in the uterus, too. Ha. I know torture when I see it. That method can stay safely on the shelf.
I am trying to enjoy the spring and be patient. I have terrible springtime allergies, and I am trying not to take my medication while pregnant, so the best I can do is carry tissues and wear a mask to keep out the pollen. JellyBean needed a lot of convincing this morning that Mama is allowed to wear a mask (”What is it? What is it? Take it off, Mommy! Take it off!”), but by the end of the day she and Sweetpea were taking Mommy’s mask and using it as a hat, a bowl, a lily pad for a frog, and a pretend scoop of ice cream.
Now maybe I’ll try and get some more sleep. I keep telling her that it’s nice out here and she should come out to meet her sisters and Daddy, but she pays no attention. Not even born and already ignoring me. That’s motherhood for you.
I took the castor oil. Twice. It had no effect whatsoever. Either time. I went bikeriding uphill. I went for long walks. I tapped my husband for the prostoglandins. I tried the eggplant parmesan (now that did affect my digestive system; indigestion, anyone?) and just about anything else anyone recommends. I still went nearly two weeks over and gave up trying the day before my induction. That was the day I went into labor naturally, of course.
I’ve been induced twice (and the other one was a planned c-section) so don’t ask me because obviously I have no clue how to go into labour.
Good lord woman will you have that baby already!?
For Christmas, maybe Santa will bring the girls a box of surgical masks.
hang in there!
blessings,
karla
Oh, I so remember that. My first was born a week before her due date, so when the second came right on her date, I felt like I was two weeks overdue (you understand that kind of math).
All prostoglandins ever did for us was start false labor – every stinkin’ time (during that last week, that is. Not for the whole pregnancy!!)
Ha! I still spend my days waiting for Girlkiddo to be ready to go. It can only get worse as they head into the teen-age years.
Come out, come out, sweet baby!!
Hmm…washing my kitchen floor on my hands and knees worked for me and for my sister-in-law! I did the washing for her, but somehow it kick-started something. Right?
And you have obviously been missing this golden opportunity of what we call PreNatal Brainwashing. I did this on Elliot and it worked. “You will not require a long labour,” I used to croon, rubbing my belly. “You will sleep through the night by six weeks.” And both came true. If only I’d thought to plan ahead for the teenage years.
In the meantime, hang in there. I suppose you’re all ready for the hospital–which is to say, you’ve found the perfect labour book (engaging enough to hold your attention, not too complicated as you’ll be a bit distracted) Tell us what you picked!
I remember wanting those babies to get out of their warm, dark place and give me some breathing room. The first one was two weeks early, the second a week late and the third three days late. It still takes roughly 280 days, but near the end — it seems like a year. We are keeping positive thoughts today to get you on your way. Those Braxton-Hicks contractions will just make your labor easier — I hope, I hope, I hope.
I tried all those with my third – the midwife advised mixing the castor oil with ice cream, going for a brisk walk, there was also a homeopathic remedy called caulophyllum I took plus an African herbal remedy called waterpumpkin…when she came it was in an hour and a half flat!
Good luck with yours, I’m sure she’ll be there soon.
I never went into labor with either child. Someone told me to eat the salad dressing at Olive Garden. How do people even come up with these jumpstart tricks? (And more importantly, why did I believe them?)
i hope she comes soon. i had two of mine in early April … i know how ready you are. ((hugs))
♥
I was thinking you should tell her to hold off till Sunday. Wouldn’t that be a great birthday? Easter Sunday? Preferably at sunrise of course. I know her birthday wouldn’t always be Easter, of course, but still…to have been born that day would be cool.
And it’s only a FEW more days…and a better present for JellyBean and Sweetpea than even a live chick!
Who knows, maybe at this very moment you’re in labor?? Maybe?? Hopefully??