Help With Contractions, 3 Days Now

Brenda-RN,BSN, WA. · Mar 24, 2004

I am not an L&D nurse (postpartum), but I have had 3 babies. I also do not know anything about the tea. My advice is to keep in close contact with your doctor. He/she knows best. I know that the oxytocin is scary, but keep in mind everyone is different. I had to have it with my 1st because I was not progressing fast enough, and with my 3rd I was induced. It was a totally different experience with each one. At least you're 38 weeks, so you could deliver anytime and your baby will not be considered a "preemie." Did your doctor ok the tea? I would not take any herb, or med. without the consent of your doctor. Please don't worry about the oxytocin. You are going to be fine, you need to relax and trust your doc to do what is best. Call your doc if your ctx's get any stronger. It is possible to dilate from a finger tip to 8,9,or 10 in a short amount of time. I have taken care of plenty of women who were only a finger tip, and they barely made it to the hospital in time. I hope this helps. Maybe an L&D nurse will respond with some better info. Good luck, you are in store for the best time of your life with your new little baby!

AlaskaKat · Mar 25, 2004

What is the reason that your doctor wants to induce you? Is there a medical reason or is it just because you're contracting. Many women have lots of contractions before labor starts and, while it can be annoying, it is very common. Do they hurt? Can you sleep through them? As far as things to try to get things going, I often advise the "three hots": Hot pizza, hot shower, hot sex, repeat as necessary. Unless there is a medical reason you shouldn't be doing this, you could give it a try! As far as the induction, ask you doctor why he thinks this is advisable. If it is not medically indicated and you don't want to do it then don't! However, having said that, if there is a medical reason then you should follow your doctor's advice and take the pitocin. I've had it, it's not so bad...

allnurses Guide · Mar 25, 2004

You may be having contractions but you aren't in labor because the definition of labor is a change in the opening of your cervix. And contractions are normal during the last few weeks of pregnancy.

Why does your doc want to induce? Are there other medical problems? You need to have a good old sit down conversation with your doctor my dear. And everyone is right, don't take anything, including "natural" stuff, unless your doc has cleared it.

Relax, get more information and don't worry, although I know that is difficult.

Best wishes,

steph

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 25, 2004

Weeeellll I contracted 9 weeks every 2-6 minutes (even with tocolysis) w/my dd before i was allowed to have my csection (she was breech)-------if your cervix is not changing, you are just not in labor yet. hang in there; it will be over soon, it will happen. i know your pain. Just hang tough!

memphispanda, RN · Mar 25, 2004

Since no one else has mentioned it...if you are trying to stimulate contractions, you may want to look into nipple stimulation. Try doing a search at http://www.google.com for nipple stimulation labor, and you will find plenty of information.

nurseunderwater · Mar 25, 2004

i did nipple stim and a black and blue cohosh labor tonic w/ all 3 babes. also castor oil ON my belly w/ a warm towel.......this is not something that i recommend UNLESS you do your research. It is up to you. black cohosh can cause a rise in bp, it shoul be used w/ caution....nipple stim/castor oil EXTERNALLY from what i have read is not extreme and can help get things moving.....that said, the baby comes when (in my case all 3 X) when he wants to......sorry for punctuation.....nursing baby on my lap :rolleyes:

Also want to say that what you may be having are warm up contractions....A little more than the braxton hicks that you felt in the beginning but they may just come and go. Watch for mucous when you wipe....you'll know when it happens.....that is a sure sign that you are getting some where. Try and get some rest, warm tubs, walks and relaxation. You are going to be verrrrry busy pretty soon and you need to sleep and rest now while you can.

Better punctuation? Baby sleeping :zzzzz

Energizer Bunny · Mar 25, 2004

I'm not a nurse either but have had three children. This is my experience only, but if you can avoid the Pitocin, do so. I had the most incredible labor with the one baby I didn't have Pitocin for and the other two were very difficult. (I will not scare you with details) Frankly, IMO, I would not do anything without asking your dr. first. Even the nipple stimulation can cause labor to come on too quickly and you could end up delivering at home.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2004

If you're 38 weeks and your contractions have subsided and there is no medical reason for an induction, I would get some rest while you can. Many women run back and forth to the hospital with contractions that stop after an hour.This may be what you're in store for.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 25, 2004

I agree with dawngloves....the time will come very soon just hang in there.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2004

Put your car seat in... worked for me with #2! Tried it yesterday with #3 no going. As it is now, I am scheduled for induction tommorrow am. I'm 40 weeks with borderline PIH (not on bp meds this time) baby estimated at at least 7.5 lbs. At the last appt I was 1-2 cms and baby still floating. Sounds like my doc is a little nervous since I went VBAC before and want to do it again. What I'm wondering is if the Pitocin will work??? The only reason I'm agreeing is that at this pt I can barely walk, sit or stand up straight (lower back and peri pain) let alone take care of my 2 other kids....I tried the three hots metioned above..no going. JUst have to see hopefully I will have a baby by Friday night??

imenid37 · Mar 25, 2004

Sometimes if you get in the jacuzzi (if your lucky enough to have one at home-wish I did) or warm shower it can slow some of the prodromal labour uc's down and give you a break. The water should be about body temp w/ in 2 degrees (F) either way. The immersion most often speeds things up at 3cm or more dilitation or of your membranes have ruptured (no matter what your dilitation), but may slow things down in the early stages of labour. Try different positions. Move and change positions frequently, but don't tire yourself out by walking excessively. Drink plenty of non-caffiene fluids. As far as herbs, potions, etc. Ask your dr./cnm first. Sex is okay as long as there's no other contra-indications and you feel like trying it. Try to rest when you can. Make yourself a pillow palace and curl up w/ a good book or dvd and light snacks and clear fluids. It is really hard to keep feeling like this. I know. I've been there myself. Best of luck to you and please let us know when the little one arrives and all of the particulars. Take care!