Help!!!

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Specializes in icu.

Just a question for all of you L&D nurses... I am 36 1/2 weeks pregnant. I have been contracting since 31 weeks and spent five weeks on partial bed rest. My contractions are now regularly 5-10 minutes apart (for several days), but my cervix is only dilated 2 cm and apprx 50% effaced. I have made 2 trips to the hospital thinking that I was going to have a baby, only to be sent home. I am at the end of my rope!! Sleep has become nearly impossible and I am very frustrated. I am looking for any tried and true at home labor inducers. At this point I am almost ready for the castor oil. Oh, this is baby number three for me and I didn't experience anything like this with the other two.

Thanks for any help you can give me!!

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first off, congrats! :balloons: we can't give any medical advice on here - have you spoke with your doctor? that's what i would say to do first and see what they have to say. good luck, let us know how it turns out!

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

We can't give you medical advice here... you can google home labor inducers if you want but you should consult with your doc or midwife.

In general, I think inductions are the causes of a lot of negative issues so I wouldn't chose that for myself without very good reason (i.e. myself or my baby in actual danger of harm). I would wait until my body is ready. You can also google induction for more general information. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does not recommend elective induction (starting labor without medical reason).

Some studies have suggested that castor oil helps some people go into labor but I don't think those outcomes were studied (how did the labor end up for those people? how many babies had problems because they were a little too early? how many ended up with c-sections because their body wasn't ready and their labor didn't progress as it should have? etc. etc.). Castor oil can also be very dehydrating. Although some do, many or most don't go into labor & for them it is going to make the person more miserable because people contract even more when they are dehydrated.

Hang in there, talk to your provider, & best wishes!

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Specializes in nursery, L and D.

I don't want to sound like I am giving medical advice here, but please don't do anything without your docs approval. The longer the little guy stays in the less chance for problems, usually. Talk with your OB........I know you are uncomfortable.........hang in there!

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I too was miserable with baby number three. But as others have said, generally the longer they stay in the better off they are. Have you tried to sleeping in a recliner? Our recliner became my best friend et savior during the last months of my last pregnancy. It let me lay back enough I could rest but it was better for me than the bed. Hope this helps!!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I am sorry but allnurses.com cannot give medical advice. Please ask these questions of your health care provider.

I will say this: 36 or even 37 weeks, not necessarily a good time to have a baby-----I have seen many a special care baby in our nursery , on IV meds and oxygen, for as long as 10 days to two weeks! Often these lil guys have issues with poor feeding , chronic low blood sugars, and inability to breathe properly. You really would do well to get past 37-38 weeks if at all possible. This is from a nursery nursing experience standpoint and concern.

I know you are miserable. Hang in there and ask any questions you need of your doctor/midwife and good luck. I hope your birth experience is joyful and safe.

Take care.

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