Understanding Labor Induction: Experiences and Support During Late Pregnancy

Question
I am 25 have one child who is 3 1/2 and am 38 weeks pregnant.  I have been on tribudalene for the last month and since I have been off I'm absolutly miserable!  I have contractions all the time, but they never seem to progress to full labor.  As a result of this, I'm getting no sleep, am very uncomfortable, and my husband travels for work so every time he takes off we are on pins and needles around here.  I work with a massage therepist who said she could work on some pressure points.  Is this safe and or effective?

Answer
Messasge therapy is safe during pregnancy, but not very effective to induce labor. However, it may relax you until labor begins. If you were taking terbutaline to treat pre-term labor, there is no reason to continue it at 38 weeks gestation. How far apart are the contractions that you are having. If this is your second pregnancy, you should soon start having contractions at the level of your belly button, that occur every 6 minutes (from the start of one contiraction to the start of the next contraction) and each one should last (remain hard) for 45 seconds to 1 minute. When the contractions continue for a full hour, you should be checked. Once the cervix is dilated to at least 3-4cm, you will be admitted to the hospital. Don't bother checking until the contractions are every 6 minutesm unless your water breaks. Good Luck.