WWYD?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone ever had a previous c/s and attempted to help yourself go into labor before your due date (by at most a week) with any subsequent pregnancies? I'm due the same day as DD1's birthday. I calculated a week earlier based on when I had sex and my period, but my OB pushed things back a week. I'm not really excited to have my DS-to-be sharing his older sister's birthday. We've tried to make this a big exciting event for her but she's going to be 4 and is not thrilled about moving her party or sharing the day. I was induced with her on her due date and went nearly a week late with DD2 in hopes of a VBAC but resulted in a 2nd c/s.

I was wondering if I could drink some raspberry leaf tea, eat some nutmeg, spicy food, lots if sex in hopes I can push this kid out a little early. I'm scheduling my c/s do I guess I could go late but that would be a whole new can of worms with Christmas. Thoughts? Advice? Suggestions?

[Anonymous]

I drank some castor oil, I know it's highly controversial with some people but it put me into labor with no problems.

[Anonymous]

Those DIY induction techniques really aren't going to do anything unless you are about to go into labor on your own. You don't have to have the c-section precisely on her birthday though.

[Anonymous]

Do you have to have your section on your due date for some reason? I had a scheduled c-section at 39 weeks, 3 days, just because it was the day that my doctor was at the hospital,

[Anonymous]

No, I don't have to have it on her birthday but if I do it later it runs into Christmas and my OB won't be around. I asked if I could do it the day that I thought I was due to deliver but I'd technically be 38w and 6d so they won't go for it. I hit 39 weeks over the wknd so no c/s available unless emergency.

[Anonymous]

My friend was scheduled for a C/S Oct. 7 and just had the baby last Tuesday so maybe you'll get lucky too. My mom took castor oil with every one of us kids and we were all born 2-4 wks early (!). I promised my midwife I would do that. She said I could take castor oil at week 41. Not much to offer you OP other than good luck and maybe try the castor oil. (FWIW I had a friend in my late teens/early 20's who had two little girls exactly 2 yrs apart, same birthday. Also my step dad and his older sister share the same b-day. It's not the worst thing that could happen though the kids might disagree.) Four of my older siblings were born within 2 wks...Oct 24, 25 and Nov 8, 11 and they had one joint party. Now THAT would be a suckfest.

[Anonymous]

My two kids are born 2 years And 1 day apart. Their birthdays will be next month and we'll be doing a double birthday.

What is your exercise routine? Try speed walking or something that gets your heart rate up (assuming you were exercising pre-pregnancy).

[Anonymous]

Frankly I would not try to force my baby to come out when he's not ready just to avoid having 2 kids with the same birthday! That us about the most meaningless reason I can think of to interfere with your body and your baby's natural progression.

But it doesn't matter anyway--do you really think there would be any overdue babies if these folk remedies worked???

[Anonymous]

i don't think you can make your body go into labor if it's not ready. labor isn't convenient and doesn't care about your other plans, but waiting for it to happen on its own can be lovely in other ways.

[Anonymous]

As an adult, I think it would be nice to share a birthday with one of my sisters. As it is, it is very possible that my DD #2 may share MY birthday, and I'm happy with that too. Maybe this isn't such a big deal?