What would you do? - opinions pls:)

[heres2hoping]

I need some opinions please. A little history: I had my son at 39 weeks after my water broke. I had no medical interventions, it was a very uncomplicated delivery, except he was faced posterior, so labour was long and painful.

I have moved to a small town a while back and when I found out I was pregnant, I choose my maternity doc based on what his beliefs about what a birth should be. He has the same beliefs as me, little to no interventions unless absolutely neccessary. There are two other mat docs here, both of which are a lot more drug and c section happy than I felt comfortable with. I had my 34 check up today and my doc told me that he will not be in town on my due date, due to circumstances beyond his control.

My due date is July 20th, although 8 week US put it at July 15 and 12 week US put it at July 10th. I asked we keep due date based on my menstral date, july 20. My doc is going to be gone from July 18-23. There is a chance I may go early, just as I did my first. But my doc had said he would be willing to do a membrance sweep at 39 weeks, if I wanted, so he may be able to do the delivery. My first reaction is no, baby will come when baby is ready. But I am nervous about the other docs procedures. I deliberatly did not get a doula for this baby because of the doc that I choose. It is to late now. I do not know to much about sweeps, as I have never had to consider them.

What would you do? Would you get the sweep? Thanks for reading this LONG post

 

[d_b]

It sounds like you know exactly what you want, so I think you'll be able to stand up to the other doctors if they start talking about epidural etc..

If I were you I would just labour at home as long as possible. As it's your second labour hopefully it will be shorter and easier than your first, so by the time you get to the hospital there might not even be time for drugs.

Personally I wouldn't get a sweep, I hear they're painful and from what I've read they are not always effective.

Based on your dates and the fact you delivered at 39 weeks with your first, sounds like there will be a good chance that you get the doctor you want anyway!

 

[Dtswife]

I would just wait. Have your birth plan in your file, give it to your nurses and have your DH/birth partner stand up to the docs if it comes down to it.

 

[heres2hoping]

Thanks, for the replies It's a tough situation for me. I am hoping I will go a bit early so I don't have to deal with it. Fingers crossed

 

[Dtswife]

Maybe start eating dates now and taking Evening Primrose Oil in a couple weeks to encourage a quick easy labor no matter when it happens so no one has a REASON to get pushy with you at the hospital?

 

[heres2hoping]

Thanks for your thoughts ladies I am still undecided, but I have a while to figure it out. I have been taking EPO for a few days, 1000mg orally. I figure I will up the dose and start vaginally in a couple weeks. I don't know much about prunes, but I will have to look it up. What do they do? I am definitely up for anything that will help, although not quite sure if I like them, lol. I don't really like RLT, but I am managing to drink it daily. I am just trying to think happy thoughts and hope that I get my doc

 

[phrumkidost]

I would probably follow some of the suggestions above and see if you can help encourage the early delivery. If not, I would do as the others have suggested: have your birth plan written down and make sure DH can put his foot down for you. Good luck! xo

 

[Dtswife]

There was a small study that recently came out which found that women who ate 6 or more dates a day had significantly faster dilation and effacement and overall labors that women who did not.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21280989

 

[heres2hoping]

Hmm, interesting. Definitely worth a try! Where in th supermarket do you find dates?

 

[GiGi2013]

My daughter doesn't really like RRLT either; so I brew it and throw it over ice and she can drink it that way...just a thought GL!