How can I turn my pre labor contractions into the REAL thing?

Question

I know there are probably plenty of questions like this but I want a direct answer to this question. I'm 39 weeks and 3 days pregnant and I'm pretty sure I'm having pre labor contractions (my stomach gets really tight and it feels like someone is squeezing my bladder but I don't have to pee), are these pre labor contractions? Also, how can I get them to progress into real contractions? I've tried everything from walking, having s*x, pineapple, Castor oil, getting on all fours and rocking back and forth, etc.. I've been having these pre labor contractions for around three weeks now. Last week I was 2 centimeters and 80% effaced. Any opinions or stories or ideas to help me move this thing along?

Also, I have family coming into town from out of country and we're having a welcome home party for baby. One of them is in the Air Force and just got back from Iraq so I can't go past my due date. I know it sounds selfish, but is there anything I can say to the doc to convince him to induce?

Any stories or advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Answer 1

Drink hot herbal tea. squats should help too

Answer 2

i am in the same boat only 40 weeks and nothing has worked for me either! if you find something that does work let me know! good luck! congrats!!

Answer 3

Most doctors will not induce your labor unless there is something to be concerned about,you can ask but I doubt they will do it. Also you can have braxton hicks for weeks and not go into actual labor. I had braxton hicks for 1 month and 1 week with my second daughter and I STILL ended up going almost 2 weeks overdue. My suggestion would be just keep walking around and hopefully you will go into labor soon but yeah I wouldn't count on the doctor inducing you unless there is cause for concern.

Answer 4

drink hot sauce that is what i did with my last two and that broke my water. i had contractions for two weeks with my third. after my water broke i went into the hospital and still no active labor but they keep you in if your water breaks so they gave me some meds to induce and it took off fast from there three hours later he was born. good luck oh take a hot shower that sometimes helps too.

Answer 5

Well, nothing is going to work until the baby is right there and ready, but have you tried nipple stimulation?  You can have your husband help you with that if you want :)  Midwives use that technique all the time.  You could use a breast pump to do it too.

Also, acupuncture has been used quite a bit.  Make sure you go someplace that specializes in pregnant women.  They put needles in these pressure points that stimulate uterine contractions.  Apparently, the effects are pretty quick (that is if your due date is accurate and the baby is close to ready)

Answer 6

This probably isn't what you want to hear, but I really don't mean any of it meanly.

If you've tried everything, and nothing is working, then there's a good chance nothing will convince that baby to come out early! It's just not ready.

I don't have a lot of experience in the 'early induction' thing, all I know is that where I live, no doctor will do it until your past your due date by at least a week, or you or your baby is in danger.

It is frustrating I know, but it's a bit of a long shot to try and get that baby out via induction, for a welcome home party.

EDIT: Now, there's no need to swear. This is a touchy topic, and you yourself said it sounds selfish.

Besides, I'd think the health of you and your baby is a little bit more important! (Even though it is a special time for an uncle to meet his neice or nephew) but I think health is priority.

Answer 7

I thought it could be unhealthy for the baby to induce early labor which is why they only do it under necessary circumstances..  

Answer 8

..."I got you induced so you'd be born prematurely in order for me to attend a party."

You're right, that does sound selfish.

Edit:

I'm sure it's very important to YOU and your brother. What you're failing to consider is that what YOU and your brother want is NOT what should be your main concern, namely having your baby born safely with no complications that could affect the poor child's entire life. He made his career choice, your baby shouldn't have to pay for it. "But he fought in Iraq!" is no excuse for anything, least of all this.

Answer 9

I understand how you feel. My significant other is in the military and may not be able to attend the birth if I got past my due date. I don't think you are selfish for feeling the way you do. Don't listen to the rude answerer--obviously she is not in our position.

The tightening of your stomach are indeed uterine contractions. I have them every time I o****m, which is pretty normal. This is why s*x can sometimes be an effective way to start up labor. Maybe you should try having s*x a few more times.

Other things I've heard of to induce labor are to eat spicy foods, chinese food, eggplant parmesan, licorice, use castor oil (which I heard isn't so safe), and accupuncture.

I hope that things work out how you are wanting them to!!!!

Answer 10

Your baby is not ready to come out but you want to terminate your pregnancy. This is selfish and not smart. Dilation and effacement mean nothing as to when your baby is ready. You are experiencing normal Braxton Hicks contractions. Save the birthday party for when your baby is ready to meet you. Most healthy babies are born 10 days after the due date. Cheating your baby out of "womb time" will give you a low weight baby with associated health problems, like asthma, allergies and reduced immune response. Best wishes, G

Answer 11

I know it can be frustrating to have to wait, but it will come when it's ready to come. and yes, it is selfish to plan an induction for a party for the family. be thankful to give birth to a live healthy child.  

Answer 12

The simplest answer is to enduce labor, speak with your doctor and ask tell them you'd like to induce labor.. I had 2 kids, one normal birth and another endunced labor just to get it over with 2 weeks earlier... My best birth was the enduced labor (2nd one)

everything went according to plan, Right before i got the pain i received the epidoral, I was given pitosin(i think) to enduce labor, and it was awesome, i didn't even know i was having a contraction, the nurse told me oh you're having a contraction, and i said, really? I watched t.v. in the room and a little while later, she came back to check my cm, and said you're ready to have the baby, I freaked out a bit and said what, i'm not ready i don't feel like i need to push, i got into position, she said push, i said i'll try, i pushed twice and out came the baby... It was the perfect birth.. If only they were both like that, my first birth i was in labor for 18 hrs of constant pain...horrible.... so, go ask your DR. for more info and you'll be glad you did.. Good luck!

Congratulations... If you don't want induced labor, then i suggest doing alot of walking, eating spicy food and having lots of s*x because it'll help you give birth alot faster

Answer 13

The thing about babies is they come when they are ready, and there isn't much you can do to either speed up or slow down the process. If you absolutely HAVE to have the baby by a certain date, C-section is about the only guaranteed system. Even induction doesn't always work.My friend had induction - it lasted three days and they finally did a high forceps delivery - in other words, dragged the baby out. She was lucky that the baby wasn't injured because that was a truly perilous procedure. And the dumb part of it was, it wasn't done for her, but for the doctors convenience. Her due date was Christmas and he didn't want to be called away from his family to deliver a baby.  

Answer 14

Have you talked to your doctor about inducing labor? This is one option. Many people pick the day they want their baby to be born and set up a scheduled birthing date. Ask your doctor if he does this. Best wishes and Congratulations!

Answer 15

I think you're just going to have to wait.

The baby will come when the baby wants to come.

Prepare yourself- get ready, because for many months/years to come, you'll be on someone else's schedule.