Operation Evacuate the Baby

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

Gustahlovah — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:46:25 GMT

Eating a big meal is a myth as well. I barely ate anything the night I went into labor, causing starvation to set in right at the point that I arrived at the hospital. I attempted to eat an english muffin but ended up yacking that up. Who knew? I would have eaten as much as I could force down, had I known that I wouldn't be eating for 24 hours.

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

Amber — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:01:10 GMT

Ugh. I soooo remember (and empathize) over these final weeks of pregnancy. Is it just me or has your pregnancy totally flown by? Oh right. Probably just me. :-)

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

neega — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:32:08 GMT

I gave birth on the due date (based on the most probable date of conception rather than the last menstrual period or LMP, the most commonly used method). Based on my family, I was expecting to go past due and have a large baby. I tried to plan ahead, making a prenatal massage appt two days before and an acupuncture appt the day before the due date. DH helped with perineal massage and whatever sex we could muster the week before -- it did tide us over for the coming dry spell. After the massage, where she hit all the forbidden points, not just head and feet, I started snacking on fresh pineapple, and that night, used an EPO suppository (yup, that's the method, but make sure you get a clear capsule). Labor started about 5 hours later. I kept the acupuncture appt, which didn't shorten the time between contractions but made the contractions more consistent. Still ended up with long labor ending in c-section, because his head was already just too big. My only regret now was not starting the regimen earlier.

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

coolteamblt — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:45:10 GMT

My son was due 21 December. I served him an eviction notice with eyeliner on my belly, written backwards so he could read it around 10 December. I was desperate! After they decided he was 10+ pounds on the 18th, I simply sat on the table at my midwife's office and refused to leave until they scheduled an induction for me. It was too close to Christmas, my family was here from out of state, and I wasn't going to let them go home until I had the baby. It wasn't the most natural thing, but between his size, mild contractions, and having a 1-2 cm dialated cervix, they agreed to induce me. Good luck!

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

Amber — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:43:09 GMT

I'm not sure where you'd find the time for this, but I read that in one study women that stimulated their nipples for 3 hours a day for up to a week had good results going into labor.

Good luck!

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

Cassie — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:49:15 GMT

My second baby was nine days overdue. I walked, I sexed, I ate probably the hottest Indian food known to man. And still no baby. Even after my water was broken, no baby. Second babies come faster - phooey! Don't believe the hype, or you will end up like me, a week postdue calling for an induction being told the hospital was "too busy" and then crying on the toilet. 9 days, 4 cm dilated and 100% effaced and still no labor. She did come though (with the help of Pitocin) in less than 90 minutes, with two pushes. So I guess that made up for it. I am still deciding.

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

PlumbLucky — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:02:54 GMT

Spicy food - I live on it, didn't do a thing.

Stripped membranes - didn't do a thing.

Sex? My poor husband...sex was horrendously painful throughout pregnancy, had no desire whatsoever, but even our attempts at this didn't convince our son to MOVE IT

Walking? I walked 4 miles a day, easy.

Foot or head massage - didn't work.

The only thing of the above that I didn't attempt was the EPO. One of my (four) sisters used; she happened to then go on to have labor and delivery straight from hell. Perhaps coincidence, but I was not chancing a repeat at that, especially when a good friend who is an OB (but not mine; and its not that she's against natural remedies either, she has recommended a few for other female issues that work very well) advised strongly against it.

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

leahsmom — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:45:35 GMT

I think that bodies should come with detachable parts. Like, why can't you just take your feet off, stick 'em in the freezer, and put 'em back on in a few months? That is where I am hoping science will get us eventually!

/nothelpful

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

Jill Smyth — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:24:36 GMT

Kellye is right about the foot massage. The pressure points in your feet will directly release any tension in your head. The release of tension in your head will release the tension in your pelvis.

Just let him out.

You're totally going to be able to handle it. (Babyspies+Axel) You're going to rock it. Your husband will help.

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

Kat — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:36:36 GMT

See if your dr or midwife will strip your membranes at your next exam. Hurts like a mofo, but works. My second came 2 wks early and 4 days after having it done.

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

Laura — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:42:05 GMT

Two days before my official due date, my midwife suggested that I try Evening Primrose Oil gel caps. I used them for three nights and on the day after my due date I went into labor and had my baby that night.

Only downside to these is that you don't take them orally ....

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

Stacey Jackson Flarity — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:41:26 GMT

MidLifeMama is correct!!! The restaurant is called the Brown Bottle. It is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Most pregnant women in the area swear by it. Sorry it's a little too far for carry out. Hang in there!!! It'll happen when you least expect it.

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

regina williams — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:01:36 GMT

I am just about 4 weeks from due and i am in the brain fog you describe- i've finished knitting his going home outfit as a bribe!

with #1 i had spicy red beans and rice and pineapple before labor started, and now all i want to do is gorge on those things....but they arent helping (even though baby is down and in ready position)....

hang in there!

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

jenn/hippygoth — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:56:48 GMT

Good luck!! I always laughed at people who suggested sex. From 7 months on it was the last thing I wanted, ever. Though, I guess if the desire to have the baby outweighs everything else...I vote Indian food...urban legend of choice around here.

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

knockedup — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Yeah, Heather, I've heard that one, too. Between the size of my belly and the heat (which isn't that bad, but 85 feels like 105 to me and makes me want to sit alone in an ice bath), I'm not sure if there'll be any action.

As for the Indian food, maybe I'll give that a try - but it'll have to be for a small lunch or breakfast, because, by 4 pm, my body rejects more than a few bites worth of food. It wouldn't take in a big dinner.

A foot massage sounds lovely, Kellye. Now I'll just have to convince my husband to rub my stinky swollen feet...

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

Heather — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:23:45 GMT

When I was a week overdue (in late August) I pleaded with my OB to tell me ANYTHING I could do to get the baby out. She had one answer: S-E-X.

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

erin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:58:13 GMT

your third trimester pregnancy brain is like my full-time after a kid brain.

good luck with operation evacuation!

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

EG — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:46:43 GMT

Full moon is on the 7th!

I need to go brew some more raspberry leaf tea, although the value of it is that it is supposed to make your Braxton Hicks contractions more productive to tone the uterus, and I don't have BH contractions. I have had 0 contractions, and I'm 15 days out from my due date.

What about Evening Primrose Oil? Supposedly softens the cervix. And walking, and sex. Blah blah blah. But he's going to come when he's ready.

I am personally focused on keeping my baby IN until at least July 1, because our healthcare FSA resets that day and we get a whole new year of contributions that we can pay the hospital bill with!

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

Marie-Eve — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:43:13 GMT

Good luck! I can completely understand you... Unfortunately I have nothing in mind except the sex thing. Which, at the end of my pregnancy, was really THE LAST THING ON MY MIND.

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

runturtlerun — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:37:22 GMT

Gotta agree with Cara; I had a huge Indian dinner and hours later I was in labor! Good luck!

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

Hillary — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:11:48 GMT

Long, long, long walks daily. They might even have the bonus side effect of tiring out Axel.

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

Kellye — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:07:38 GMT

This is going to be difficult, but try scrubbing your kitchen floor on your hands and knees....it sent me into preterm labor with Sebastian....

You could also go for a foot massage...they say that works!

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

MidLifeMama — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:49:48 GMT

There is a restaurant somewhere in the midwest known for their eggplant parm. Supposedly all the pregnant women go there to eat it to bring on labor. I figure if you like eggplant parm, it can't hurt to eat it and maybe it will inspire someone to vacate the premises. At least you would get a good meal.

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

Emma — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:37:38 GMT

About a week before my second was due, I finally managed to get to the hairdressers - the last thing on my list of absolutely essential things to do before the baby arrived. During the wash, the (male) hairdresser FORBADE any head massage, saying it might induce the birth and we wouldn't want that now would we? I was like, WHAT?? I miss out on a massage AND a chance to get this baby out?? Not a satisfied customer.

re: Operation Evacuate the Baby

Cara — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:55:09 GMT

I had a ginormous meal of very spicy Indian food the day I went into labor. Coincidence? Maybe. But it's my go-to suggestion for getting that baby going. Of course, the argument could be made that a billion Indians eat that food every day and don't go into labor, but let's not trouble ourselves with details.