QuestionI am 38 weeks pregnant and i am already dilated to 2. I been having regular contractions i been to the hospital but i just am not dilated anymore. Is there anything i can do to help my labor get started since i am already dilated?
AnswerRemember that dilation does not mean anything. It is not an indicator of how soon you will go into labor, and even when you are in labor, it is not an indicator of how soon you will give birth. I recommend against internal exams at the end of pregnancy and during labor for this reason; they do not give you or your doctor any concrete, useful information, and only serve to increase anxiety and interventions.
There are many things you can do to encourage your body along towards birth. Lots of walking is good, as are pelvic rocks and squats; all the movements help wriggle the baby into an optimal position, and sometimes that's all the baby is waiting for. Evening primrose oil contains prostaglandin precursors, and can be used orally or vaginally to help ripen the cervix. Semen also contains prostaglandins, so lots of sex is always good, even if it isn't always much fun for you right now. Pineapple is another food that stimulates prostaglandins.
Spicy foods are thought to help induce labor, probably more by gastrointestinal irritation than anything else, so if you're accustomed to a spicy diet, they most likely won't help you much. Castor oil is often cited as a "natural" induction method, but it's only about 50/50, and whether or not you go into labor, you'll likely end up with diarrhea for the night, so this isn't a pleasant option, either.
Chiropractic care and acupuncture can help, if you are interested in alternative therapies. Chiropractors can help align your body and your baby, again aiming for that optimal position that will let your baby most easily slip out. Chiropractors can even flip a breech baby using the Webster technique. Acupuncture can help relax your body, removing any barriers to labor and encouraging good birthing energies.
Massage and other pampering activities are also good at this time. Not only will you not have much time for this sort of thing after the baby comes, but the stress of the waiting game at the end of pregnancy can often by itself delay labor, so relaxing as much as possible can help speed things along. I myself went into labor at 41 weeks and 5 days with my last child after checking into a hotel for a night with my husband to go swimming and sleep away from the kids.
Good luck, and remember: You're not overdue until you get past 42 weeks!
