So you've stalled, now what? Something many don't talk about is not doing anything. Just wait. Labor is not only about dialating. You and baby have alot to do in preparing for baby's birthday. It may appear that labor is stalled but your body is working in other ways that it needs. So if given the opportunity, wait a bit before doing anything. Sometimes that's all you need and then bam, contractions kick in and you dialate quick. If waiting isn't an option or you have already waited and feel like something needs to be done, here are some options for you.
-Rest! Take this time to simply relax. Your body might just be a little tired for all the work and need a little break.
-Change positions. Maybe baby can't move or isn't comfy in the position you're in and just needs a new position to get out.
-Walk or stand. Gravity, it's our friend. :) Walking may also jostle your body and baby.
-Change your environment.
-Eat/drink. Your body might need some nourishment/hydration for all the work it's doing.
-Take a shower or bath.
-Talk. Express any feelings your have. Strong emotions, stress or discouragement are enough to slow down or stop labor.
-Avoid vaginal exams. Sometimes this creates more of an emotional hurdle than help.
-Nipple stimulation, massage, pressure. This can get oxytocin going which can help start contractions.
-Sex. Did you know that one of the drugs used to augment or induce labor, Cervidil, is actually pig sperm. So why not use the real thing (and maybe have some fun) instead.
-WAIT! I say this again because it's important to let your body do what it needs to do before rushing for any intervention. Recognize that this could be an example of a Natural Alignment Plateau, when labor is still progressing but dilation doesn’t necessarily increase. Sometimes a mom can seem to be “stuck” for many hours, only to rapidly progress to pushing after a long wait. Recognize that this could be prodromal labor, or a long “practice labor” pattern. Rest and nourishment are in order in this case. If mom and baby are fine, there is no reason that the baby has to be born right away.
Those are some non medical options. Hopefully you can try some (or all) of those before jumping to medical options.
-Break your bag of waters (aka rupture your membranes.) This can kick your contractions into high gear and quickly! This will also mostly likely put you on a strick clock of delivery because of the doctors fear of infection. Depending on the doctor and hospital you might only have 12 hours from the point of breaking your water to having the baby before a C-section occurs.
-Pitocin. This cow hormone is used to produce oxytocin and kicks your contractions into SUPER high gear. It is difficult to handle the intensity of a pitocin contraction on your own and often times this will lead to the need for an epidural. Pitocin contractions are not like natural contractions so be prepared. Be sure to read up on pitocin before going to the hospital so you are familiar with it.
-C-section. This should be a last resort after everything else has been done. Unfortunately, at times starting medical options leads to a C-section. Again, please educate yourself thoroughly about your options.
Remember there are different stages to your labor. The first stage has 2 parts, part 1:Early labor. This is the stage when everything is starting, you might be dialited a few cm. This is also the stage where it's most common to stall. That's ok. As I stated earlier, you and baby are doing alot to prepare and contractions are only one indication of that. This is the time to rest, relax, eat, don't rush to the hospital and just let your body do what it was built to do. Your body is not a machine and doesn't work on a clock or always in the same manner as someone elses so let it do it's thing. It really does know what to do. Part 2: Active labor. You are really going now! It's not as common to stall during this stage but it happens. Again, if you can rest, relax or eat at this stage do that. Also, talk through any feelings you might have. This is an intense stage and the fear of what's happening or what's going to happen can get in the way. Also, remember gravity is your friend if you can move around. Stages 2 and 3 are when you've dialated and baby is born and then the placenta.
As always, educated yourself. There are many resources at your fingertips so utilize them. Read, research, ask questions.
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