I'm 40 weeks pregnant, my due date is 2 days away and i just got back from the doctor. He told me that the baby is feeling a bit top heavy and if I don't go into labour by Monday he'll induce.
What does the baby being top heavy mean? I was so worried about labour induction that I didn't think to ask.
Firstly, I think your doctor owes you an explanation. He is there to reassure you so I think you should pick up the phone and ask him exactly what he meant by "top heavy" - I've had seven pregnancies and six live births and never heard this terminology before, so don't be shy to ask him. It's your body and your baby.
Also, do not be afraid of induction. I'm guessing you have heard horror stories about it. Well my fourth was induced and it took me five hours to deliver him incomparison with 3 DAYS with my first! Plus, I had the luxury of very regular contractions so I knew exactly when they were coming and could go into relaxation and deep breathing mode. It was my easiest delivery.
If you want to have a go at trying to start labour naturally you could try:
• Sexual intercourse: Semen contains some prostaglandins and having an orgasm may stimulate some contractions. A few studies have shown that having sex at term may decrease the need for labor induction, but others have found no effect on promoting labor. • Nipple stimulation: Stimulating your nipples releases oxytocin and may help start labor, but more research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of this method. Because nipple stimulation may overstimulate your uterus, your contractions and your baby's response to them should be monitored, so don't try this at home. • Castor oil: Castor oil is a laxative. You will need an 8 ounce bottle and it tastes awful!! Although stimulating your bowels may cause some contractions, there's no definitive proof that it helps induce labor — with one of my pregnancies my doctor said "If the baby is ready it will work and if the baby is not ready, you will just have a few non-severe tummy cramps". • Herbal remedies. A variety of herbs are touted as useful for labor induction, but there isn't enough evidence to prove that any of them are both safe and effective. Some are risky because they can overstimulate your uterus and may be unsafe for your baby for other reasons as well. Your best bet, it let nature take its course, and do some extra walking.
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