I know that this one has been discusses, but....

Kalamazoo Doula · 08-10-2006, 07:36 PM

My client is either one week past EDD, or today is her EDD. If you go by LMP, last week was EDD, but if you go by u/s, and what her docs are saying, today is her EDD. Today she had a appointment, and her doc told her if she makes it to her next appointment next Wednesday, he wants to schedual a induction for later the same week. This is not what my client wants. She is a bit depressed. She does not want have an induction, but she is so ready to NOT be pregnant any more. I've discussed some natural induction methods, with clear indication to clear it with her doctor. It does not sound like she is ready for that yet, which is a good sign, if you ask me.

I would really like some suggestions on how to help her! She will be my last client for a while, since I'm going to start classes at the end of the month, and I should also be starting to work full time as a PCA (patient care assistant) at one of the hospitals, so I won't have a lot of time for clients. Dont' get me wrong, if I have them call me, i'll take 'em! LOL I do have great back ups! Sorry got

Ideas, ladies?

Sorry for the mis-spelling, I'm in a hurry!

MyDoulaStacia · 08-10-2006, 07:43 PM

My client (due on the 20th) was told that if she hadn't given birth by the
the 30th she was being induced.
I told her not to worry about things as it will happen in due time and stress isn't good for her pregnancy.
I also told her that if she and the baby both looked good then she could just let them know she would wait a bit longer.

MindOverLaborDoulas · 08-10-2006, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyDoulaStacia

I also told her that if she and the baby both looked good then she could just let them know she would wait a bit longer.

Yep if everything is fine, why in the world would they want to go in and mess it up?

fearlessbirth · 08-10-2006, 08:29 PM

I'll tell you what everyone else told me (and will STRESS it even more b/c my last 2 induced clients ended up with cesareans

)

She DOES NOT have to do anything she doesn't want to do. If the doc insists on scheduling it and she doesn't want it...don't show up.

Tell her about Bishop's Score (you can

this for lots of info)...although, even with a high score, the mom could still suffer from a 'failed induction'. If your body ain't ready, it ain't happenin'.

Is this mom planning on having a natural hospital birth? If she gets induced it will be SO HARD to resist an epidural or drugs (not impossible, but those Pit ctx are stronger and harder and the synthetic Pit doesn't cross the blood brain barrier to tell the brain to produce those lovely endorphins

) Even if she does try to do it without further meds, it is HARD to change positions and get comfortable with the cords and wires everywhere (mom will have to have continuous fetal monitoring and they usually suggest an internal fetal scalp electrode doo-dad for the baby).

Her baby will come when it's ready! I know it's hard for a VERY pregnant

mama to remember and realize but it is true! Also, those u/s can be WRONG. (at least in regards to baby's weight and size). The last birth I was at the RN said the docs are many times a whole pound off in their estimates and it's almost always a pound OVER what the baby really weighs (this is in cases where they say the baby is too large to be birthed vaginally).

Also, (and I'm sorry I'm rambling here but it's hard not to when my last 2 mamas went through Pitocin-hell, as I like to call it. Lol) the docs are usually SO STRICT about how fast labor progresses...they may turn the Pit up then have to turn it down if baby or uterus seems stressed...if mom isn't progressing up to their standards (which is usually 1 cm/hour after 5 cm) then they start talking about c-section.

I know it is HARD to educate and encourage this mama but just hang in there! And tell her to RELAX!!!

Enjoy these last few days with her partner on dates, going outside, visiting, movies, dinner anything that can get her mind off of it for a bit.

Lots of hugs and love going out to you and this mama. It's hard but that is a road she will not be happy to go down (just from what you've said).

Now, all that said...I'm not tryiing to be a negative Nancy, but if she does opt for the induction, I would go over EVERYTHING that may occur...including cesarean. My client had written in her birth plan that she wanted DP in the OR with her and to accompany baby to the nursery afterwards but never really THOUGHT she'd actually ever be doing it! It literally never even entered her mind that she would not be birthing her baby herself. Just discuss this with your client so if this does happen, she is a little prepared.

Good luck!

and keep us posted.

Oh, one more thing Lol

if her u/s shows her baby not being due until next week, that's what I would feel safer going with. It would be awful to consider her 'overdue' when the baby is really not at EDD and it be born before it's ready.

Ok, I'm done

AmandaB · 08-10-2006, 08:31 PM

I agree with Stacia. I have told clients that before, since induction births are really the hardest. Either tell the doc you (as she is not) are not ready, or best defence ... claim the stomach flu the day of the induction! Sorry it was what was suggested on another board

. I mean really it is about her and what she wants, if she and babe are happy let nature do it's thing.

MsDoula · 08-10-2006, 09:00 PM

I had a L & D nurse tell me once that she isn't sure why more women just don't show up to the induction. She said, "What are we going to do? Send the induction police after them?"

Something to think about.

Kalamazoo Doula · 08-10-2006, 10:20 PM

Induction police, LOL

Okay, it looks like I've covered all my bases! Thanks ladies! I just needed a pep talk or something, just to make sure that I was telling her as much as possible, with out overwhelming her. One of the issues is that she does not have a partner. "Daddy" left her right before the :bnp He even was nice enough to support her going to an abortion----he would drive her! Nice, huh?

I'm going to be the only one there! Her parents are not able to help during the birth, because of health issues. I'm just trying to help her get the birth that she wants.

I'll keep you posted!

jesscardona · 08-10-2006, 10:45 PM

That is what happened to me on my birth! they induced me, and gave me all the pitocin they probably had available on the unit floor! and believe me.. I did not dilate more than 1cm the entire day!! so what happened c-section of course, if I would of known better!!!
Anyways... Im not going into a soapbox here...

fearlessbirth · 08-11-2006, 11:01 AM

Stay strong, Erin! I'm sending lots of good birth vibes

to you and mama! Please keep us posted

Kim Trower · 08-11-2006, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearlessbirth

Stay strong, Erin! I'm sending lots of good birth
vibes

to you and mama! Please keep us posted

It's a little harsh but it does the trick....don't send your mama into a depression over the butterfly..but if she is strong emotionally this will give her something to think about.

Readiness

I remember one morning when I discovered a cocoon in the bark of a tree, just as a butterfly was making a hole in its case and preparing to come out. I waited a while, but it was too long appearing and I was impatient, I bent over it and breathed on it to warm it, I warmed it as quickly as I could and the miracle began to happen before my eyes, faster than life. The case opened, the butterfly started slowly crawling out and I will never forget my horror when I saw how its wings were folded and crumpled; the wretched butterfly tried with its whole trembling body to unfold them. Bending over it, I tried to help it with my breath. In vain.

It needed to be hatch out patiently and the unfolding of the wings should be a gradual process in the sun. Now it was too late. My breath had forced the butterfly to appear, all crumpled, before it’s time. It struggled desperately and, a few seconds later, died in the palm of my hand.

That little body is the greatest weight I have on my conscience. For I realize today that it is a mortal sin to violate the great laws of nature. We should not hurry, we should not be impatient, but we should confidently obey the eternal rhythm.”

It’s Not Nice To Fool Mother Nature!!

RosyDoula · 08-12-2006, 03:43 AM

Wow Kim, thats such a great story. And so true.

Kalamazoo Doula · 08-12-2006, 05:02 AM

That is awesome Kim! Thanks!

Update: She has been doing nipple stimulation with an electric breast pump starting tonight. So who knows. She really wants to avoid the pit/cytotec induction! I'll let you know what happens!

doula Michele · 08-12-2006, 10:01 AM

I have the opposite type of mom.
Mom is due on the 14. She is wanting induction and Dr told her NO! not untill at least 41 weeks.
Dr was going on holidays, so won't be back until after her due date. So she will have to wait until then to talk about induction. She does have a another Dr. on call but for the delivery or emergency only.
So...YAY for her Dr!!
She is 2 cm, Dr did sweep her membranes, as her cervix was soft, and she lost her mucus plug....she should go on her own anytime.
Michele

Kalamazoo Doula · 08-12-2006, 07:49 PM

Okay.....well, she did a bit of time on the breast pump and only got some cramping. She did tell me that she had some loose stool earlier today, so that is a good sign. This mom is just so excited that she is actually get some colostrum like fluid out already! She had had a breast reduction a few years ago, and not having enought productive glads has been on her mind this whole pregnancy! I told her that if she has been leaking since she was about 32 weeks, that is an awesome sign! Would'nt you agree?

Kalamazoo Doula · 08-17-2006, 01:03 PM

UPDATE!
Well, she made it to her appointment yesterday. So they hooked her up to a NST, which she failed, which then they sent her for a bio-profile with an u/s. Which she probably failed too, from the sounds of it. They have scheduled her to come in today at 3PM for a dose of Cytotec (I know I know, she had weighed her options very carefully) and then, if that does not put her into labor, they will send her home and then have her come back tomorrow morning for pitocin. They are hoping that the Cytotec will just make her cervix more favorable. She has a fairly low Bishops score. I'm about to get in the shower so I can meet her up there for the Cytotec insertion. I'll keep you ladies updated! Keep your fingers crossed, send out good birth vibes, or pray for my client, which ever is best for you, lol! ttys