I’ve become an "old wife"- October 27, 2010
I have made it clear through this pregnancy that I am vehemently against old wives tales. I was shocked at the things I heard before we found out it was a girl. I mean, check here, and here. (They’re short, I promise.) I swear Anne Boleyn didn’t hear the tales I heard!
But, tomorrow is the due date and there are no signs of labor. Who are these women that have babies EARLY?! I’m starting to believe contractions and ruptured membranes are ancient OB/GYN myths designed to scare women into celibacy. I don’t talk about my cervix on the Internet. I just don’t. (Although I appreciate those women who are less prudish open enough to talk about that stuff on the Internet so I can read it.) I’ll just say, there are no signs of anything happening anytime soon.
I’m deathly afraid of things dragging out to 42 weeks. I’m also deathly afraid of Pitocin and cesarean sections. See my dilemma? So, at this point I’m open to becoming an old wife and embracing all the tales. So far I have done the following…
- Walked…around the lake, on the treadmill, up the stairs, around Target. (My friend’s water broke in Target.) I even did the “curb walk.” Don’t judge me! I’m not above it! You shouldn’t be either.
This is the “curb gallop.” I totally get this insanity…
- We…um…{ahem}…did what got us into this. I don’t think I need to explain.
- Pineapple. I plan to eat pineapple. But, apparently you have to eat like 7 pineapples in a day to make it work. Good thing I like it.
- Cleaned. I’m gonna clean again.
- Ate spicy food
The Doc says none of this really works. I asked her if I could do it anyway. She said, “Knock yourself out.” After the due date I’m gonna try the Mac ‘n Cheese with A1 sauce. (I heard for it to work you have to wait until after the due date.) Oddly enough it sounds good. And, here I thought having cravings was just an old wives tale.
Spread it around:
I am an old wife too.
I used the castor oil trick.
I went into labor 1 min after taking the horrible stuff. It was not the castor oil that did it. I then had to go to L&D while waiting for the castor oil to "run through"
I advise against castor oil.
More old-wife advice: crawl on all fours (OUCH), drink very hot cocoa spiced with cinnamon and cloves (at least it's delicious), eat eggplant parmigiana (yum!), walk up and down hills (because you're not tired enough).
None of the above worked for me, but the pitocin did, and I had the easiest labour ever once the boy got the memo that he had to GTFO.
Wishing you the easiest and breeziest birth! hugs!
Don't get discouraged. At my last check up nothing was happening for me either. I thought for sure I was going to be late. And out of nowhere I went into labor 3 days before my due date.
Good luck to you!
Nothing to fear about Pitocin. It's a nice gentle ease into contractions, in my opinion. Although, again, if you have to go that route, get the epidural before they break your water because the leaking amniotic fluid makes you feel like you're an incontinent 80 year old who's been drinking way too much Gatorade. It's a non-stop peeing feeling. Totally unpleasant.
Hope she comes soon for you– although trust me when I tell you she's a LOT EASIER to take care of inside than out.
Ahh, the joy of going past your guess date. Totally normal, but it feels like forever!
Had Pitocin with Hollin- was induced early due to complications (sort of in comparison to Johnny), and it was NOT bad at all! I loved my labor with her! I had a c-section with Johnny and LOVED it! Recovery was a dream (much easier than Hollin- you can sit afterward) and it is fast- the faster the better because you get to meet that baby faster. More importantly, the best thing about labor is, you have such a great reward at the end. Just think– you enter the hospital as a couple and leave as a family. Most amazing thing ever! No kidding!
As far as how to induce labor– castor oil, walking, (don't want to know or hear about other-LOL), squats, but really, she will come when she is ready! Let her cook! Enjoy these last few days, hours, mins, moments, whatever as a couple because soon, you will be a family! Love you! Can't wait to meet her!
Aw you're so close!! Can't wait to see pics of that baby!!
How spicy did you go? My friend made me a super spicy turkey chili & I think it worked, but it was probably just a coincidence. But I remember that feeling of sitting there thinking it's just NEVER gonna happen! But it'll be great & I am so excited for you!!
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