This is apparently a hotly debated topic among pregnant women, so I've discovered. For some women, as soon as they become full term, they try and do everything to encourage baby to come out. Other women think that that is foolish, and that if baby isn't coming out without you doing anything, then clearly the baby is not ready. I lie somewhere in between those two. See, the thing is, due dates are not an exact science. I mean, it's all really a guess. Sometimes, your due date could be off by a week or more, which then means you might think you are "full term," but really, you're not. And some babies grow at different rates than others, so some little ones might still be doing a lot of growing late in the pregnancy, which might make them arrive a bit later. Other babies may be fully cooked at exactly 37 weeks. The way I also figure is, sort of no matter what I do, if the baby is not ready to come out, she won't. All those old wives tales of eating spicy food and walking up stairs sideways are not going to just magically make the baby come if my body is not really ready for her to come out. But I could be wrong...
Anyway, I'm now likely over 38 weeks pregnant (again, the due date is just an approximation), which means I'd be more than happy for her to be born now IF she's ready. I'm willing to give some of those old wives tales/tricks a try and see what happens. In fact, I've started a few of them, although some of them are not really so tricky. For example, I've set out to make sure I am walking and doing things on my feet every day. Walking is really supposed to help get the baby in a good position, and, even if it doesn't start labor, it's good for you. In fact, get this... yesterday, for some reason, I was feeling so antsy and cooped up from being home all day, I went JOGGING (not for long at all, but still, in my mind, it counts). Yes, I ran! 38 weeks pregnant! Now mind you, it was REALLY slow, and only on the flat surfaces (I was not about to go running up the monster hills by my house, thank.you.very.much) but still, I ran! And it felt SOO good. Well, as good as it can feel given my, um, "different" body I'm living in lately. But it made me so inspired and excited to be active again after the baby is born (eventually). But, as you can see, since I'm here typing this, obviously it did not put me into labor. Oh well, at least it felt good.
The other one I am currently trying is drinking red raspberry leaf tea. Now, I'm not a tea drinker, at all. Tea is very popular in NZ, it seems like EVERYONE drinks tea, all the time. I just don't like it. I'd prefer an ice water, or juice. But, raspberry leaf tea was recommended by my midwife once I became full term, because it's supposed to tone your uterus and make labor easier. The goal of it is not necessarily to start labor, but she said it can cause contractions, which can lead to labor, which is why I was told not to drink it before 37 weeks. So I've been drinking 1-2 cups a day for the past couple of days... and to be honest, have noticed no changes. The taste of the tea is average at best, so I just try and convince myself it will make my labor easier. :)
I'll let you know what other fun things I'll try, there's all kinds of crazy ones out there. But for now, I'm happy with my walking and my tea. :) But you better believe I will try EVERYTHING if it turns out my midwife wants to induce me (which wouldn't happen unless we got to like July 20th and still no baby, so I have a while before that becomes an issue).
Anyway, I'm now likely over 38 weeks pregnant (again, the due date is just an approximation), which means I'd be more than happy for her to be born now IF she's ready. I'm willing to give some of those old wives tales/tricks a try and see what happens. In fact, I've started a few of them, although some of them are not really so tricky. For example, I've set out to make sure I am walking and doing things on my feet every day. Walking is really supposed to help get the baby in a good position, and, even if it doesn't start labor, it's good for you. In fact, get this... yesterday, for some reason, I was feeling so antsy and cooped up from being home all day, I went JOGGING (not for long at all, but still, in my mind, it counts). Yes, I ran! 38 weeks pregnant! Now mind you, it was REALLY slow, and only on the flat surfaces (I was not about to go running up the monster hills by my house, thank.you.very.much) but still, I ran! And it felt SOO good. Well, as good as it can feel given my, um, "different" body I'm living in lately. But it made me so inspired and excited to be active again after the baby is born (eventually). But, as you can see, since I'm here typing this, obviously it did not put me into labor. Oh well, at least it felt good.
The other one I am currently trying is drinking red raspberry leaf tea. Now, I'm not a tea drinker, at all. Tea is very popular in NZ, it seems like EVERYONE drinks tea, all the time. I just don't like it. I'd prefer an ice water, or juice. But, raspberry leaf tea was recommended by my midwife once I became full term, because it's supposed to tone your uterus and make labor easier. The goal of it is not necessarily to start labor, but she said it can cause contractions, which can lead to labor, which is why I was told not to drink it before 37 weeks. So I've been drinking 1-2 cups a day for the past couple of days... and to be honest, have noticed no changes. The taste of the tea is average at best, so I just try and convince myself it will make my labor easier. :)
I'll let you know what other fun things I'll try, there's all kinds of crazy ones out there. But for now, I'm happy with my walking and my tea. :) But you better believe I will try EVERYTHING if it turns out my midwife wants to induce me (which wouldn't happen unless we got to like July 20th and still no baby, so I have a while before that becomes an issue).
Oh and guess what... today at my midwife appointment, she said the baby has dropped super low, as in, she couldn't even feel her head anymore because she's THAT low. Maybe these walks are doing something after all
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