Natural Labor Support: Tips for Progressing Labor at 37 Weeks

Question
Iam 37 weeks along and have dilatede one centimeter im still having contraactions but im so miserable I cant sleep or get comfortable. I was induced w my first son and really dfont them to have to do that again. this pregnancy has been entirely different, Im also having really bad pain in between my legs in the muscles. Iwanted to know if you had any remedies on how to progress labor natuarlly, Ive tryed walking but that doesnt seem to work thanks fr any help you can  provide.

                                    Angela

Answer
Hello Angela- well, you won't get much help from me to bring this baby on early. I strongly believe that we must WAIT until mother nature, baby and your body are ready for birth. What I CAN do is try to help you be more comfortable. Go to a health food store and get some LECITHIN capsules- they are very safe- simply a component of fats that we eat every day. Start by taking one a day and you can take as many as three a day if needed. They will help to eliminate the sore joints etc. that are making sleeping difficult. The BEST position for sleeping is on your side- get a pillow wedged behind you to support your back, two pillows to support your top leg which is bent at the hip and the knee- it must be up high enough that your leg does not dip down toward the mattress. Another pillow under your head but NOT under your bottom shoulder and finally a pillow in front of you to support your upper arm and keep it off of your breasts. In this position and by taking the lecithin, you should be able to sleep well enough to allow you to finish your pregnancy. Hope that helps- Cheri.