Weird question, but what if you want to stall labour?

[deni]

Hi all,

I'm 3 weeks away from my due date and I get a bit anxious thinking that I might go into labour while my husband is working away. We haven't yet decided when he's coming home and not flying out again, as it's our first it's more likely I'll be late than early, but what if I'm early?

DH isn't contactable between 6pm and 6am and then would need to drive two hours and fly 2 hours to get home.. so if I do go into labour early evening it's likely it'll be all over by the time he gets back (as he won't get the message until 6am). I do have family backup for labour room, and maybe i'm worrying for silly reasons, after all if he misses it it won't make a difference to our future with the baby.

But i was curious.. if labour does start, does anything we can do slow it down for a few hours to bide me some time ?

[[M]umma[M]ia]

nope! babies come when they decide they want to come. You dont pick the time for them. sorry

[alioops]

During very early labour (before you are very dilated) a bath can relax you enough to kill the contractions. however once it is on fully there is nothing you can do. Our bodies do have a way of making the baby wait till the right time so chances are that he will be home when you do need him.

[Cassius2]

Hi there!

I think that this is a great question! so many are on how to bring labour on! LOL! i was in a similar position as DH was away for the day when i was 38 weeks pg. he was a four hour drive away and couldnt be contacted for 5 hours between 11am and 4pm. and sure enough my waters broke. thought i would be late as it was my first...

i found that pretty much becoming immobile slowed things down. this is of course when you are in early labour. once things are on they're on and that's it (and that's ok!! in fact it's awesome as bubba is coming!!). i guess it may be comforting that early labour can last quite awhile so i think the suggestion in the other post of having a relaxing tub and a rest is a good idea. (ie do all the opposites to the things ppl suggest to bring it on!! LOL!)

alioops is right, i think our bodies and babies have a way of knowing when the time is right. i didnt go into labour with DD until DH arrived at my side. within 20 minutes of him arriving i went from no contractions to 2 minute apart ones!

HTH and good luck!

[Indadhanu]

Gosh is it that t ime already, im so excited for you!!!!!

Well a bath, stress and not moving are the things you're NOT supposed to do so if you do go into labour you could try that?

Bubs tend to know when they shouldnt come though... Jazz looked like she was raring to go early, then my grandad got sick and she held off and I went into labour a few hours after he passed away. I think she let me have that time with him and then came when he was gone.

[thepixie]

Going to the hospital often brings things to a crashing halt! Don't know how long it would work for though... Sorry if that's not much help - hope someone can suggest something!

[rufalina]

WOW. I cant believe you are here already!!
I just wanted to wish you all the best. I am sure you will manage to get this sorted!
xoxo

[deni]

Thanks for all the suggestions girls, and thanks for popping in Ruf and Leasha!!! hope thigns going well with you gals too.

I heard something about having wine but I'm not sure if that was to speed things up or slow them down - i guess it's something i should avoid anyway

[Joeve]

Deni - woohoo I can't believe its almost time! I remember when you got your BFP!!!
Goodluck and I hope the timings are all perfect so your DH gets to be there too!

[Freya]

OMG Deni your due already!? Where have I been, feels like yesterday I was so excited you and Ruf graduated

I dont know how to stall or start labour seeing as both my boys were evicted early but just wanted to wish you good luck and that I hope DH makes it for the birth, its quite an experience for them!

[satya]

I don't really think you can do anything and once it starts you probably wont want it to stop anyway.

Lots of ladies do go early with their first. I was 38w 4d when I gave birth and I wasn't the first to go in my buddy group - I'd say about 1/2 of us went early & the other half went late so you do need to make sure you have a way of contacting him during that period that you normally can't. Surely there's a way around that. Once you get that sorted you will feel more at ease.

Just feel reassured that most 1st labours take a while so he probably will get there in time. Mine was 12 hours of pre labour then 15 hours 1st stage and almost 2 hours of 2nd stage so my DF could've got to me from just about anywhere in that time.

[deni]

Thanks Satya, yes i think i just need to accept that baby will come when ready... unfortunately there is no way to contact DH between that timeframe as even the satellite phones dont work properly in that region (in the middle of nowhere)... but if he gets my message at 6am then he'd definately be home by 12pm which may still be in time if a night labour does arise. In the meantime I'll just encourage bub to stay put !!

Hi AnnaT and Joeve! thanks for the well wishes!! hope you doing well too