Vit C to keep bag of waters strong?

[railyuh]

I've heard that you can take Vit. C (and maybe zinc?) to help strengthen your bag of waters. With my son my water breaking was the first sign of going into labor but I wasn't having any contractions (if I could do it again I would wait longer, I only waited about 8hrs before going to the hospital so of course I wound up being induced and then later it turns out my waters resealed and the doc wanted to break them again--sigh).

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had more info on this, how much to take, when should I start? I'm 30 weeks now and I guess I'd like to do what I can to avoid my water breaking early in labor so I don't have to deal with that same kind of situation. Of course even if it happens things will be different this time because I have a supportive homebirth midwife But still, it would be good to know!

[GoldmanBaby09]

I just did a quick google search for vit c and amnio sac, and there are actually a few old MDC threads that come up asking about this as well. Most seemed to agree that Vit c seems to help strengthen the sac. This article says that 70 mg of vit c should be consumed daily in pg. I'm not familiar with the site it comes from, but there does appear to be those who agree with it. GL!

[crunchy_mama]

Seems I heard this somewhere as well. But don't have any documention. Neither of my bags broke until pushing and I took in copious amounts of foods high in Vit C- of course I am sure there are anecdotes the other way as well.

[Romana]

There are studies that demonstrated the efficacy of vitamin C in preventing PROM and PPROM. Here are a couple of links:

http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/503221

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/81/4/859

In the study, the participants received 100 mg of Vitamin C daily starting at 20 weeks gestation. The results were statistically significant.

[railyuh]

Originally Posted by Romana9+2

In the study, the participants received 100 mg of Vitamin C daily starting at 20 weeks gestation. The results were statistically significant.

Ah, well I guess I'd better start right away then!

[DahliaRW]

My last mw had me taking lecinathin (spelling?) and citrus bioflavanoids as well as vit c to help avoid prom. It worked, I stalled at 8 cm with my bag of waters intact. Had her break them since I was exhausted, and baby was born an hour later!

[Quickbeam]

Hi Annie. My midwife recommends extra Vit C for the same purpose. I haven't been supplementing but I do eat a ton of oranges.

I hope your experience is better this time.

[averlee]

While pregnant, I participated in a study about C and E to prevent PROM, because as a smoker I was at slightly higher risk. I think it was 2 pills each, each day, for the last 4 weeks of pregnancy.
First, the study was safe, because a previous study had proven that large doses of C & E don't harm mom or baby. So, there's no risk involved in trying.
Of the women in the study, there were no PROM, and not one woman began labor with her water breaking. There were double the amount of babies born in the caul, and one even born in a still complete sac. There were half as many respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, or meconium stained waters.
My water didn't break till I started pushing. And the membrane was the thickest and toughest I've ever seen- the midwife showed me how she could barely pierce it with her fingernail.
I'm convinced, it really works.

[roxemama]

I took the vitamic C for the same reason. I also took spiralina as a supplement. It was just the regular dose you find in the store and what was recommended on the bottle. Ask your MW to be sure. For me, my water didn't break until 2 hrs before DD was born.

[Mamatoabunch]

My waters broke before labor w/ my 1st, 3rd pregnancy. I started researching too, found vit C. Took it w/ my 4th, and subsequent pregnancies. My waters broke in labor w/ 4th, 5th, and 7th pregnancies, interestingly our only three boys. W/ 6th and 8th pregnancies waters broke before labor again.