WWYD if your water broke and no ctx?

[mrsfrenchy]

I'm just wondering what you guys would do if your water broke and you weren't having any contractions yet. Would you just rest/sleep until they started? Would you do nipple stim or something else (like what?) to get them started?

I'm curious what the general consensus is because someone in my DDCs water broke, and she and her DH decided to get some rest until the contractions started. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that---but I don't think I could rest! And then I'd start worrying about PROM too.

So since this could very well be a delima I face in the next few weeks, what are your opinions on this?

[rere]

My water broke on a Sat. at 10:30 pm with no contractions.I went to sleep.Woke up the next morning walked to the midwives office.Came home and waited.Had a baby Monday at about 3:30 pm.

[etsdtm99]

personally, for me - i had this happen and i made the mistakke of telling the OB & ended up on pit ... if it happens again, i would check on baby with my doppler & wait (that is part of the reason i own a doppler, so i will be less likely to panic when i know i shouldn't) .. i think what you do depends on the clock you are dealing with, many OBs will only give you a few hours to make progress before pit etc..

[womenswisdom]

I'd allow nothing in my vagina. Take my temp regularly. Maybe take vitamin C. And wait. One study showed no difference in infection rates between women delivering in 24 hours and women waiting up to 4 days AS LONG AS NO VAGINAL EXAMS WERE DONE. It was 24 hours from the first vaginal exam when they started seeing an increase in infection rates.

[rere]

Originally Posted by womenswisdom

I'd allow nothing in my vagina. Take my temp regularly. Maybe take vitamin C. And wait. One study showed no difference in infection rates between women delivering in 24 hours and women waiting up to 4 days AS LONG AS NO VAGINAL EXAMS WERE DONE. It was 24 hours from the first vaginal exam when they started seeing an increase in infection rates.

Yes.I meant to say that.Although I walked over to the midwives office after my water broke,no vaginal exam was done.

[Belle]

This happened to me.

My water broke around 4:00pm on a Thursday. I called my midwife and let her know it broke. She asked if the water was clear and the baby was moving okay. Both were true. So we agreed that we'd both get some rest and wait for labor to begin.

The next morning I called her to let her know that absolutely nothing was happening. She said they'd send over their apprentice in a couple hours to check on the baby and swab my fluid to make sure the water really broke. She said maybe we could start me on a breast pump or some herbs if I felt like it.

The apprentice came over around noon. She listened to baby and stressed the importance of nothing in the vagina, and to drink lots of water and Vitamin C. Water was still clear.

I opted to start pumping with the breast pump and did homeopathic blue and black cohosh. I had a few hours of regular contractions that quit shortly after I stopped. I wish I had just been patient. I ended up really frustrated that evening because they were fizzling out.

I went into real labor the next morning. (Saturday, 36 hours after labor began) I had an easy labor that was less than four hours.

I took my temperature frequently to make sure I wasn't getting an infection. I'm so glad I gave birth at home and was under no pressure to get baby out in X amount of hours.

[thefreckledmama]

I would probably take a nap/get some rest, before I started actively trying to get contractions going. Once I had rested, I would probably start with nipple stimulation, because that has always worked well for me. I probably wouldn't worry too much until at least 24-36 hours.

[Melaniee]

Well I had this with my second, though I did have mild CTX now and then that would stop. I took naps, showers, walked, ate, drank water, etc. Ultimately as I was nearing the magical 24 hour mark (my MWs said they wouldn't make me go at 24 hours on the dot, but I need to be "headed somewhere" in terms of labor) and wanting to avoid a hospital "transfer" from BC, I agreed to castor oil, a tough up-hill walk and got my MWs to find me an acupuncturist all within a couple of hours. Now, I will swear it was the acupuncturist who did it, they probably think it was the castor oil (OMG, wouldn't wish THAT on anyone). Regardless, on the walk back from the acupuncturist the CTX became stronger and soon thereafter Dd was quite on her way, and quickly! In retrospect, since we did hypnobirthing I wish I'd have just spent the extra $300 to have the instructor there as I'm sure she could have gotten me to get labor going without all the other things.

However, being so super well-rested was such a wonderful difference after the labor I had with my first, that it really did work out well. Starting out "motherhood" exhausted was miserable. The day after my second was born I felt like a million bucks.

[mamakaikai]

This happened to me. My membranes ruptured at 10 am on a thursday and my baby was born at 7:45pm on the monday. The first day I just went about my business as usual, checking my temp every 4 hours, making sure the baby was moving well as usual and that the fluids were clear. Over the weekend I had acupuncture treatments, took homeopathics, did the breastpump thing a lot...never ever had a vaginal exam or had anything else including bath water go in my vagina. Eventually I agreed to be induced at the hospital, had a happy healthy baby 6 hrs later.

The important thing is that you do what is right for you given your own personal situation. I did my research and read the proper articles and discussed with my care providers and assessed my risks. There is always a community standard of care that you can fall back on if you need to or choose to, the big decisions are usually when you make choices outside of those standards. At least that is my perspective, since making choices outside community standards typically mean that you need to know your options and sometimes need to advocate for your rights.

Resting is always important because at some point you won't be able to rest anymore and active labour is no time to be exhausted.

[redvlagrl]

This happened to me with DD and ultimately ended up with a c section

If this should happen again I would not allow any vag exams and monitor my temps. And you bet I would be walking, rocking, bouncing, acupuncturing, homeopathing etc etc etc as hard as I could to avoid a repeat c section.

My biggest fear going through this pregnancy is that I won't go into labour again.

[azmomtoone]

Originally Posted by womenswisdom

I'd allow nothing in my vagina. Take my temp regularly. Maybe take vitamin C. And wait. One study showed no difference in infection rates between women delivering in 24 hours and women waiting up to 4 days AS LONG AS NO VAGINAL EXAMS WERE DONE. It was 24 hours from the first vaginal exam when they started seeing an increase in infection rates.

I believe this.

My water broke w/ no contractions, I called the birth center, MW on call told me we needed to do a stress test on the baby. Birth center an hour away from our house.... MW told me I could go to the local hospital (5min away) for it, but that if the baby was in distress, I would like not be allowed to leave - so no peaceful birth center birth. Or I could come to the birth center, have them check, and then if not in active labor, go to a hotel for the night (can only stay at the birth center 24 hours total, part of the agreement w/ the hospital they work with). Since we'd already planned for maybe spending a night or two in the hotel, that's what I did. MW listened to baby's heartrate, all was well, I had a few contractions between calling and arriving at the birth center 2 hrs later (showered & took our time leaving), not strong or long. MW then checked for dilation - so vaginal exam. Almost exactly 24 hrs later, I was transferred to the hospital w/ chlorioamniotis (SP??) and need antibiotics....and they insisted on Pit...and all downhill from there.

In the weeks following DS's birth I read several stories (here) of women who labored for several days (2-4) after their water broke before baby was born, with no interventions and no problems. I was so disappointed and felt like I'd failed to protect my baby because I just didn't know...

[KristyDi]

My water broke around 5:30am on Sun. At noon on Mon I agreed to be induced. (I still am not sure that was the right decision.) What followed was a cascade of interventions, constant EFM that left me feeling tied to the bed and feeling like I needed to be still since any time I moved the stupid EFM lost dd, pit contractions w/ multiple peaks that never really eased etc. Got an epidural after 10 hrs. Hated that with a passion. Couldn't stand the helplessness of not being able to feel or really control my legs.

I was at 3cm for 12 hrs. I escaped a section by a very narrow margin. They were filling out the paper work (I had not consented that's just how sure they were that it was gonna happen) when the CNMW checked me one more time and I was 10cm. DD was born seriously less then 30 min later.

Next time, if it happens again, I'll monitor my temp, not allow vaginal exams and wait. I might also do some nipple stim.

[grcelizabeth]

2 out of my 3 ROM, were PROM (no contrax). 1st baby was 5wks. early so I was scared since we were 4hrs. from home and went hospital immediately. I was SOOOOOO LUCKY that the hospital was extremely baby/mother friendly and I'm sure I would have ended up w/a c/s if my labor hadn't started in the middle of the night while the on-call OB was sleeping. Anyhow, 20hrs. of PROM before labor began and then 11hrs. of labor. SUPER SUPER LUCKY! Many hospitals would have started on pit.

2nd baby was 21hrs. of PROM and this time it was with the same baby friendly hospital and with a CNM! Labor had just begun and contrax. were 2-3 min. apart for 1hr. but no more dilation so my midwife's supervisor (OB) demanded pit. then. I had pit. on the lowest setting and increased 1 more level 30 min. later and I was just about to push. I was SOOOO ANGRY when I recently found out how the 24 hr. rule began and what is actually safe.

As long as you don't have fever, NO VAG. EXAMS, baby still moving, baby heart rate & tones are good then you are okay to labor as long as you like. I just came across a woman after 10 DAYS OF PROM, baby and mom were great w/no infections.

[grcelizabeth]

Oh, I forgot to say what I would also do while watching out for those things just listed.. stay home as long as you can (if having hosp. birth), eat and drink lots, get rest, and eventually labor will begin. Once you start having contrax. you can do things to help it move but labor will only progress if BABY IS READY.

[azmomtoone]

Originally Posted by grcelizabeth

Oh, I forgot to say what I would also do while watching out for those things just listed.. stay home as long as you can (if having hosp. birth), eat and drink lots, get rest, and eventually labor will begin. Once you start having contrax. you can do things to help it move but labor will only progress if BABY IS READY.

I still wonder though, why/how water breaks before baby is ready?

[Sweetiemommy]

This only happens to 1-2% of women and is considered to be premature rupture of the membranes. It happened with both of my babies and I did not have any noticeable contractions until a full 24 hours after the first gush of fluid. The key is NO INTERNAL EXAMS. And I think resting is the best thing anyone could possibly do. I went out to eat, stopped at Target, did laundry, got my house ready, cooked food for the birth, went to sleep for the night, went to church in the morning...it was actually quite nice to know that labor was coming ahead of time. In both cases, I had no infection and the babies were fine (the first was born 10 hours after I felt contractions and the second was around six hours). So I just considered it early warning and stayed calm and happy.

[Sweetiemommy]

Oh and this might freak you out, but it is worth mentioning, sometimes the waters do "reseal" themselves, so some people experience leaking for a few days, only for it to stop. Babies are mysterious little creatures.

[fwlady]

Usually, my babies come pretty quickly after ROM. But, with #6, my water broke about 10am. CTX didn't start for 90 hrs, and when they did, it was 4am, and I felt a GOOD CTX, another gush, as I had been the whole time. And, it was meconium. The baby was 19 days late at that time, but I have had other babies that were 10, 23, and 26 days late. That isn't unusual for me. Now, the baby was moving fine this whole time, my temp was great. I just puttered around. My DH went to work, and I just kept in touch.

When the mec happened, I wasn't sure what we would do. THe color didn't indicate any stress, and babies that are post due can have mec with no problems. But, we were planning a UC, and were unfamiliar with it. So, I called some hospitals, and they said, no back up OB, then RCS. Although I had VBACed 4 times already. My Dh said the hospital down the road had a good rep. I took a bath, drank OJ and prayed. Had DH pray too. I decided the baby was fine, but I was not familiar of what to do once the baby comes out.

So, I called my friends to get the kids, and got the EMTALA act on the computer, as it had just come through a group of mine. I emailed a few places for prayer. And, we transferred. They were very VBAC friendly (aren't anymore ), and said the baby was fine. I could go home, but they would really like me to stay. And, they would proceed with a VBAC if I stayed. So, 5.5 hrs after that, she was born. She was fine, didn't aspirate. A real ball of health.

Out of all my children, she is the absolute healthiest. She's never been to the dr for any illness whatsoever, and she just turned 4 yesterday. I never got any infection at all, although I will say that I did check myself a couple of times, as sterile as I could. They did 2 vag exams at the hospital, but I was in labor. It did stall a little when I was going in, but once I felt comfortable, it kicked in just fine. Kymberli

[Birdie B.]

Originally Posted by etsdtm99

personally, for me - i had this happen and i made the mistakke of telling the OB & ended up on pit ... if it happens again, i would check on baby with my doppler & wait (that is part of the reason i own a doppler, so i will be less likely to panic when i know i shouldn't) .. i think what you do depends on the clock you are dealing with, many OBs will only give you a few hours to make progress before pit etc..

This, absolutely. My wonderful homebirth midwife had to transfer me to the hospital for PROM once we reached the 24-hour mark, in order to protect her license. I was fine, baby was fine, I had a dose of antibiotics "just in case" but I still had to go to the hospital. I was met with a cascade of interventions, an epidural, and birthed my daughter about 5 hours after we got there, no problem. If I had been "allowed" to stay home, I'm sure we would have had an amazing homebirth.

So next time, if that happens, I'm keeping my mouth shut! I am NOT telling the midwife about ROM, because I don't want to go through that again. I'm happy to transfer if there is a genuine need, but some arbitrary rule about 24 hours is complete B.S. to me. (can you tell I'm not over it yet?)

[jenneology]

Originally Posted by womenswisdom

I'd allow nothing in my vagina. Take my temp regularly. Maybe take vitamin C. And wait. One study showed no difference in infection rates between women delivering in 24 hours and women waiting up to 4 days AS LONG AS NO VAGINAL EXAMS WERE DONE. It was 24 hours from the first vaginal exam when they started seeing an increase in infection rates.

That's what I would do.

I would not consent to the 24 hr deadline that hospitals and many midwives set.

I also wouldn't tell a provider that ROM occurred, because they will pressure you and panic. I've heard of providers coming close to stalking a woman to get her to go to the hospital and consent to induction. I wouldn't be surprised if some providers would attempt to get an emergency court order for it.