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I would never choose to induce with
castor oil, herbs, Cytotec, Pitocin, etc, because feel this often does more harm than good and can be very
risky to both the baby and the mother. I feel the baby will be born when s/he is ready to be born and if normal, daily activites
don't bring the birth process on, the baby is simply not ready, in my opinion.
I also do not feel the purpose of an unassisted
childbirth (UC) is to be one's own medical attendent. I choose UC because it feels safest and best for my babies and self
specifically because of the lack of unnecessary intervention involved--not because I want to increase the risk of something
going wrong by my own hand, or somebody else's that is close to me, or just to do it "in the comfort and privacy
of my own home". (<~~The latter is a great reason, but there is so much more at stake than that.) Playing
my own MW or having DH play DR on me, etc, is not the point of UC (in my book), and doing so would only defeat my
own personal reasons for choosing UC in the first place.
The birth process is a delicate balance
of hormones and other mysterious processes and rushing things along before everything is at the proper level is only asking
for trouble, and playing with fire, in my opinion.
~Carrie
UC Board CL
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Again, as with most choices surrounding
having a UC... it's a personal preference.
My personal feelings on it is that if both myself and the baby are healthy
and under no undue stress (steady heartbeat, normal blood pressure, no other complications) then I feel that it is safer,
and healthier to just wait it out.
"Natural" induction methods can sometimes be just as harmful as artificial induction
methods IMO. When you take something into your body it messes with it's natural timeline and readiness and sometimes throws
a preverbial "monkey wrench" into things and increases the chance of something going wrong. When you augment(whether naturally
or chemically) your natural labor patterns you can often start a dangerous domino chain, IMO.
For myself I would not
induce unless there was a medically nescesary reason (either the baby's or my health were threatened).Again it's a personal
choice that should be researched and decided to fit your situation and comfort levels.
karly
Everyone is different...
I went to 43 weeks & delivered my girl happy and healthy.. and 11 pounds
:)
I felt fine the whole time. (Other than just WANTING to get the baby OUT OF MY BODY!) I listened to her heartbeat,
made sure she was moving around as much as usual. If I would have thought something was *wrong*, i would have gone to get
it checked out... I think as long as the baby is doing well, it isnt up to me to decide when she comes out.
What gets
me, is there is this 2 week "grace period". What if you are *really* 40 weeks when they deemed you 42? Wouldn't you still
have 2 more weeks to go, theoretically? JMO
Aubrey
Absolutely NOT. Two weeks past your due date isn't even past term yet. Term is two weeks either way from EDD,
and there is now feeling that it should be moved back. Induction is just so much riskier! I feel that if labor hasn't started
there is a reason. Your baby may not be in the best position yet. If you induce you may end up causing bigger problems than
those you seek to avoid, in my opinion.
My Charlie came at 43w 4days. He was still covered in vernix, and didn't seem
at all "overdue". My dates were 100% accurate, he just needed more time to gestate. Had we forced him out earlier there is
no telling what would have happened.
Good luck!
Kiley
No. Inducing labor causes many more problems than it could ever prevent. Babies have widely varying gestations,
and should be allowed to be born when they are ready-- whether that be at 35 weeks, or at 45. If you want to encourage your
body to ripen in readiness for birth, and you have a male partner, you can try having sex with your legs up high, and deep
penetration-- this allows the semen (rich in prostaglandins, which soften the cervix) to coat the cervix. Followed by keeping
your bottom propped up on pillows, and double nipple stimulation, this can help your body to begin labor *IF IT IS READY*.
I would not recommend doing this *only* to start labor, because sex ought to be done out of love and desire, and I really
think the key to having a peaceful birth is to be filled with love, and not anxiety.
Beatrice-- mama to Max (6, CNM
hospital birth), William (4, LM home waterbirth), Dora (2, family UC), Wee One (in belly, arriving late-Winter, UC)
*Bee's
Official Disclaimer: All of my answers express my own personal opinion, and as I am not a trained birth professional, but
better, an experienced mother, none of it ought to be construed as medical advice.*
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