Hellobee Boards

Not sure if this helps, but here's my birth story with my second: I had really minor Braxton Hicks. Nothing bad. Had a membrane sweep and had cramps. Considered googling if Advil was safe, but went to bed instead. I woke up 2 hours later with a bloody show, 2 hours after that contractions started, 2 hours after that I had a healthy baby in my arms. Stubbing my toe hurted more than my unmedicated labor. I didn't even curse

Why I'm telling you is that not all labors are horrible. What helped me was listening to the birth hour podcast to hear otherwise birth stories. I also walked a ton in pregnancy and tried to stay as active as possible.

ETA: I reread your post. I think if the doctors monitor you closely they can help you with pregnancy pain and figure out when the best time to induce is, if necessary. My crunchy midwives were on board with an induction at 39 weeks with me because of complications with my first. Your team might be willing to induce earlier if needed for you too

I guess this is kind of random, but try eating eggplant parmesan? I was a week overdue with my third and read this old wives' tale that it helps. I was getting kind of desperate so I ate it for two days straight, and the baby pretty much flew out the evening of the second day. Of course, it may have been all the walking I did to find the eggplant parm - I don't live near any Italian food places.

Good luck! I hope everything goes smoothly, whether or not that involves an induction. For what it's worth, I spent the last couple of weeks wishing the doc would induce me - the stress of wondering who watches the older kids was driving me nuts. It would have been kind of nice to not have that uncertainty, although thankfully everything worked out.

Aww, that sounds so nerve wracking!
I think that sounds stressful and frustrating. It’s worth talking to your doctor. Maybe try to set a date that you will induce if you have not gone into labour on your own, even if it’s after your actual due date? Most women go into labour at some point on their own, even if it’s after their due date. And now that your body has done this twice before, it will be easier the third time!! And as for your babies pooping, it is quite common and there are lots of reasons it happens. BUT it doesn’t mean your third baby is any more likely to poop in utero. My first step would be to speak to your doctor. Have you heard of Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth? It’s a bit “crunchy” but super inspiring. I read it before labour both times and it helped convince me that my body knows what to do!