Now I believe your body will go into labor when it is ready and none of these things will necessarily send your body into labor if your body is absolutely not ready. I also believe every day your baby spends in the womb is a day baby needs before being ready to come unless past term or there is a medical reason and it's more important for the baby to come out. I was, however, hoping, because I had declined cervical checks and membrane stripping from my obstetrician, (upon my midwives' request during my 3rd pregnancy because I was preparing for my first home birth), that these natural inductions would help prepare my body for labor, by moving baby into a favorable position and softening the cervix.
The reason behind this is because I was a little worried that my body wouldn't go into labor on its own (I know it sounds silly). I was worried, because my first and second pregnancy, I had my membranes stripped at a morning appointment with my obstetrician and went into labor later that evening (maybe just a coincidence). For my first pregnancy, 2 membrane strippings, one around 39 weeks that did not work and I passed my estimated due date and the second time at 40 weeks and 1 day that seemed to work and during my second pregnancy at 39 weeks and 2 days that seemed to work. It made me wonder how much influence the membrane stripping, a natural induction had with starting my previous and fast labors as I was preparing for a very different prenatal care and birth than I had experienced with my previous pregnancies and deliveries.
My midwives did believe I would probably start labor on my own around or after 39 weeks, but probably not before. I carried my first baby to 40 weeks and 2 days and my second baby 39 weeks and 2 days, so I was in agreement, I probably wouldn't have a baby around 37-38 weeks. And honestly, I wasn't too surprised when I went passed preterm (37 weeks) even though it was my third baby. They reassured me I probably wouldn't go to 42 weeks of pregnancy, that they have rarely had mothers stay pregnant that long and need an induction, as well as that the membrane stripping has greater risks and wasn't the reason I went into labor. They believed I went into labor when my body was ready. Logically, you know you won't be pregnant forever, but as those last weeks and days seem to drag by slowly at times, it can really drive you nuts if you are not scheduled for a cesarean or induction, of when will your baby come?
The reason behind this is because I was a little worried that my body wouldn't go into labor on its own (I know it sounds silly). I was worried, because my first and second pregnancy, I had my membranes stripped at a morning appointment with my obstetrician and went into labor later that evening (maybe just a coincidence). For my first pregnancy, 2 membrane strippings, one around 39 weeks that did not work and I passed my estimated due date and the second time at 40 weeks and 1 day that seemed to work and during my second pregnancy at 39 weeks and 2 days that seemed to work. It made me wonder how much influence the membrane stripping, a natural induction had with starting my previous and fast labors as I was preparing for a very different prenatal care and birth than I had experienced with my previous pregnancies and deliveries.
My midwives did believe I would probably start labor on my own around or after 39 weeks, but probably not before. I carried my first baby to 40 weeks and 2 days and my second baby 39 weeks and 2 days, so I was in agreement, I probably wouldn't have a baby around 37-38 weeks. And honestly, I wasn't too surprised when I went passed preterm (37 weeks) even though it was my third baby. They reassured me I probably wouldn't go to 42 weeks of pregnancy, that they have rarely had mothers stay pregnant that long and need an induction, as well as that the membrane stripping has greater risks and wasn't the reason I went into labor. They believed I went into labor when my body was ready. Logically, you know you won't be pregnant forever, but as those last weeks and days seem to drag by slowly at times, it can really drive you nuts if you are not scheduled for a cesarean or induction, of when will your baby come?
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