BH contractions and going into labour on your own....

[Limonada]

I'll be 37 weeks pregnant this week and have yet to have any BH contractions to speak of (at least to my knowledge).  I didn't have any in my first pregnancy and no dilation or effacing....and ended up being induced.

I saw my OB this morning and he asked if I've had ny contractions yet.  I sad no, and he said "well, it's still early".  He swabbed for Group B Strep today but says he won't do actual internals until starting next week.  

Does not having any contractions mean I'm more likely to need medical intervention to get things going again?  I had a great induction experience all things considered, but am hoping to go on my own this time, if I can.

[martikadragoon]

With TJ I had no BH ctx (ok maybe 1 or 2) until they pushed on my belly REALLY hard to get a head circumfrence when I was 35w5d and they had to deliver him that day do to Oligohydramnios or no fluid. I was contracting every 3-4 min.  THIS time I had BH ctx that were getting more painful so when I went in for monitoring at 37w5d  they were 5min apart and they gave me fluids which didn't stop them or slow them and I BEGGED for my Csection because I was finished being pregnant in my mind) they agreed because I had prepared myself at that point (hadn't eaten since midnight the evening before and hadn't drank anything since that morning).

They told me not to come in until the ctx were really painful. So I did (I had to breathe for them and it hurt BAD (not unbearably but still) They agreed to do it and Mason was born at 37w5d completely healthy.

[Limonada]

I myself was 2 weeks late from my expected due date - they were going to induce my mom, and then I decided to come on my own in the middle of the night :-)  

I know that the Canadian Association of Obstetricians and Gynecolegists recommends induction by 41 weeks (or, more accurately, 10 days past due) because it is deemed there is a higher risk to the baby at that point - I believe the placenta starts to degrade.  

I too hope I can go on my own this, time, but if I can't, then I trust the judgement of my OB.

[Limonada]

I'm in Canada.....My OB didn't offer to strip my membranes.....Once it was determined that I was late (and my cervix was not dilating or effacing on its own at all), he recommended induction.  Because the Cervidil - and, eventually, the Pitocin -  didn't result in strong enough contractions, he came to break my water to get things moving along.....and it worked!  I think I went from 1cm to 3cm in 2 hours and by then I couldn't stand the pain anymore (I was having back labour) and opted for an epidural.  

[julianovak]

I was induced last pregnancy too.......... now im hopeing if i get pg, i am going to go into labor naturally, regardless of what any doctor thinks............  they tend to tell u oh, u need to be induced bc your 40 wks............. well my mom had 6 kids all were exactly 2 wks late!!!!!!! i guess after one labopr experiance i wasnt ready for, the sedcond time around i want MY labor to go how I want it too............ unless of course some emergency happens.............. God forbid.... Natural is the way to go.............no it doesnt have to be painfull,  that is in ur control.

[mommiekp]

Im not sure where you live... but where I am from after 38 weeks the doctor may "strip your membranes" (not break your water) its a SUPER UNCOMFORTABLE process... however may help your labor move along faster.

[Limonada]

My labour only ended up being 8 hours (I had Cervidil inserted at 6pm the day before, woke up with back pain at 3am and light contractions which ended up getting to 5 mins. apart....and some bleeding).  I was admitted to the hospital at 9am (after walking the halls for a couple of hours until my room was ready) and had DS by 10pm that night.  I only say 8 hours, though, because I didn't have any really strong contractions until my OB came and broke my water at 2pm - up until then, I could talk through them....they weren't bad at all (and I was only 1cm dilated).

[Rosa20]

Well too add..lol...with my last pregnancy..i started very painful contractions at 21 weeks....only bh..and i still had to be induced at 41 weeks! So im not sure homw much it plays a part or not!! Did you end up having long labours...I would suggest the rasberry leaf tea..it made my contractions come more frequent!! I started drinking it at 37 weeks too i believe!

[Limonada]

I was 41 weeks when I was induced last time.....definitely overdue.....

[mamaofonetrying42]

With my 1st one I had No contractions and had to be induce at 38w. With my 2nd child, I might of had a hand full but not really knowing if that was a BH contracions or not, I was also induce at 39w. I am on my 3rd (( and last pregnancy)) And I have been getting BH contracions since I was in my early 20's weeks of pregnancy. I also would like to go on my own this time around but is scared that my body wont know how too. LOL which sounds funny......How far along were you when they induce with your 1st?? And just because you havent had any contractions doesnt mean anything!