39wks and no progress

[Babsi68]

im at 39 weeks this week and since week 35 I havent made any progress at all towards being close to delivery. I know that can change in a matter of hours but its been 4 weeks and nothing yet so im just curious if there are any tricks to maybe help?

baby's head is dropping down but cervix is still posterior and not dilated at all and im not effacing at all and this concerns me

[Babsi68]

Nothing has been working still! Lol my problem is I'm not dilating at all. Baby's head is down and ready to go but cervix is barely thinning out and blocked by her head and not dilating at all...ive only gone half a cm.

On a better note!: I have lost my mucus plug and from what I hear, labor isn't far after that so I'm just going to keep myself moving and not sit still so much and hopefully that will get the ball rolling faster now!!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

WAlk, walk, walk.  Bounce on a birthing/exercise ball.  Take a bumpy car ride.  Anything that will help gravity to do it's job.  I dont' recommend any of the "old wive's tales" remedies for inducing labor. ESPECIALLY Not Castor Oil.  When your baby is ready, s/he will send the signal to get things started.  :)  The last few weeks are ALWAYS the hardest, and that's when you are the most impatient.  I've been there - 6 times!

[Babsi68]

nothing is working much yet. im drinking raspberry leaf tea and lots of water. bouncing on my yoga ball hasnt done too much at least i dont think.

the only difference i have noticed is that there is a constant cramping sensation in my lower abdomen and every once in a while, a sharp pain...now im not sure if i should really be calling thiese contractions since im new to all this and dont know what to expect except a lot of pain and this pain isnt intollerable but its not comfortable either. walking works a little bit and definitely makes my BH contractions a little worse so maybe i will try walking around today instead.

as far as the Primrose Oil, i cant find it anywhere! haha idk if im looking in the wrong section of the stores or what but i have tried a few different places and so far there is nothing.

thanks again for all the help! i really appreciate it and hope something gets moving so im not continuing another 3 weeks =] one im sure i can take but i think 3 is a little too much.

[Clysta]

Don't worry. In technical standards you still have at least 3 weeks left. You can go up to 42 weeks. Your doctor can also do natural things to help you progress, such as a stretch and sweep. Unless your water breaks sex is still perfectly fine, and you don't have to orgasm. While its not ideal (on your end) the sperm will still help. An orgasm would help stimulation contractions, since an orgasm is technically a contraction. Many women will not orgasm with sexual penetration alone, so try clitoral stimulation as well--it could work wonders.

Make sure the pineapple you eat is fresh pineapple. It can't (I believe) be canned. Walking is also great, so take long walks or walk around stores. Good luck!!

[Babsi68]

see heres where im not sure. i heard the semen and orgasm can help alot since an orgasm basically does the same thing as a contraction just at a different level. my big concern tho is, last appointment, the doc had to go AROUND the baby's head in order to find my cervix so im not sure i mean i know they always say dont worry the mans "part" cant reach the baby but im thinking this is a little different ha! and ive always had a hard time reaching orgasm and its just gotten worse since being pregnant. nothing hurts but it doesnt always reach the greatest potential either.

ive been bouncing on my yoga ball the last couple days and all its really done is move my pelvis and pinch my sciatic nerve haha unless thats the baby laying back a little. walking i do all the time and stairs as well since im still working and working up until the big show.

im not trying to rush her out but i am so fear stricken of having a C-Section and i want to help my body and little one do what they should be doing naturally instead and ill try almost anything.

the other tips i will definitely try out and hope they help/work a little bit! im all about natural stuff and i love pineapple so maybe ill up my pineapple intake! =]


thanks for all the tips! i will let you all know how it goes!

[luvmy2girls]

also having an orgasm can start your contractions....worked for me everytime:)

[Spiket77]

My son was early but I started using Evening Primrose Oil at 37 weeks (As directed by my midwife) and he was born at 38 weeks. I also went hiking and walked all of the time because the exercise made me feel better and sleep better. I drank rasberry leaf tea. I was told it was to help "tone" the uterus. I'm not sure if it looked tone, HA! But...I didn't have major bleeding or anything after delivery.

Hang in there! I know you are miserable but just know that the baby will come out. If I were you..I would take a walk, a bath, and a looooong nap.

[Heatherm4]

I tried many things for myself. You want to try and soften your cervix and there's a couple ways of doing it. There's semen (from sex with DH), evening primrose oil (you can take orally or vaginally) and eating pineapple. You have to eat a lot for it to be effective.
Walking does wonders for many people. Raspberry leaf tea is supposed to get your uterus going and what helped me was bouncing on a yoga ball a lot.
You are right...it can all change quite quickly so don't get too frustrated. Don't rush it...your baby and your body knows when it's time but all those things can just help you along the way.