Breaking water to get things moving? Thoughts?

[JenChaffee]

I made it to 40 weeks yesterday. Given that it is twins, we were all expecting me to give birth at any time starting almost a month ago.

I talked to my MW yesterday. She thinks it would be reasonable (only if I want to) to break my water to try to move things along. As of two weeks ago, I was 3 cm dilated and 100% effaced. I have had a couple rounds of ctx, but nothing much.

DH and I talked last night and decided to wait some more. Here is why. I have tried lots of natural induction methods ... castor oil twice, strong raspberry leaf tea twice, sex, chiropractic, acupressure. None of these have done more than cause some mild ctx. I am afraid that breaking my water might not get things moving, and then I am giving myself some time limits. If it still doesn't get things going, then I would eventually need to get into the hospital where they have it on record that I once tested GBS+. I fear what they would do to me and the babies.

Any thoughts on this? How likely is it that breaking my water would get things moving? I really want my HB ...

[Kidzaplenty]

I would be worried that, especially with twins, you would potentially have a cord prolaps problem. If a head was not securely on the cervix or it shifted off the cervix after the water was broken. Also, the time clock that would be started at the time would also be a concern.

I would not do it, personally.

[AustinMom]

yeah, I double the cord prolapse.

I personally would never have my water broken, no matter how far along and or how far along in labor I was. It's there for a reason. It gives the baby(s) a nice cushion, and your cervix a nice cushion as well.

They have found that the onset of labor is with a hormone (CRH) the baby(s) and placenta(s) produce that signal the mother to go into labor. I also feel that if natural remedies like you have tried don't work, then your body/babies are not ready. Breaking the water puts a time frame on it. Most midwives, I'm generalizing even though I don't know your's, will do most things the moms/dads want, they want you to be in control, so I wouldn't take her leaving it up to you as her giving you the "ok sure, it's no problem, great idea" thing.

If you are already 100% effaced and 3 cm, it can't be long till it starts. If you are thinking, "what if I'm one of those moms who will NEVER go into labor on her own?" you can decide then at 42 weeks to intervene. And even then, i would start with sweeping the membranes.

I can't say I know how uncomfortable and/or how ready you must be to have these babies, because I have never carried twins. I have gone to 41wk3days with a 9lb 8oz baby, but that still doesn't measure up. The best thing you can do for you babies right now is wait for labor till the babies say it is time.

[finn'smama]

I wouldn't break the waters either. But I would ask for a stretch and sweep! Good luck and I hope labour starts soon!

[Gena 22]

You're a stronger woman than I! At 39 weeks, I was trying everything. Long walks, nipple stim, herbs, castor oil did it for me but it also made for a long and dysfunctional labor. I wish I had waited and let the babies get into position; I think it would have made labor go a bit better. Anything's worth it for the homebirth though, I loved it.

You've gotten some good advice about AROM, sounds like something to avoid.

How about some long, brisk walks? Maybe around the mall since its so cold?

Good luck!

[Xiaohua]

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty

I would be worried that, especially with twins, you would potentially have a cord prolaps problem. If a head was not securely on the cervix or it shifted off the cervix after the water was broken. Also, the time clock that would be started at the time would also be a concern.

I would not do it, personally.

Yes, I agree. If there were a good reason why you needed to get those babies out, it might balance out the risk. But if you are fine, babies are fine, I'd give it some more time. And kuddos to you to making it to 40 weeks with twins!

Serena

[mntnmom]

That's a little dangerous IME. Hopefully your midwife knows something you're not mentioning! I would worried about cord prolapse, AND the possibility that labor won't start after your water breaks. I let an OB convince me to have my water broken when I was 4-5cm. Contractions were irregular, but I couldn't get out of bed because of the risk of prolapse. Luckily, the nurse suggested some IV meds to help me relax, and labor progressed just fine. But otherwise I was looking right at cascade of interventin and a C-section. Obviously, at home it wouldn't have played out that way. But something to consider.
Also, IME, contractions hurt a lot worse after your water breaks!
Good Luck either way though. 40wks with twins is AWESOME!

[xixstar]

I too would be uncomfortable with PROM in that situation, and most situations, actually unless labor was going full swing already. Are you doing NSTs or something else to help reassure you of babies' condition? If things look good, I'd continue to have faith that your babies know when to be born.

[boheime]

I would not allow it.

[gabeyho]

don't do it. too much risk.

[MammaB21]

It may be hard to wait, but I see no valid reason to do it. The risks outweigh the benefits IMO. I wouldn't get my water broken even after labor has started. It's a pretty serious interruption of the natural process of labor, and I hate how it has become so routine. Hang in there!!! The babies won't stay in there forever.

[Tizzy]

Try flax seed oil capsules both orally and vaginally (as close to your cervix as possible). It's easy to find and will give you something to do so you don't feel like you're not doing *anything* to encourage those babies to come

[almadianna]

No. I would not be comfortable with AROM.

[cathicog]

I third the suggestions to wait. As previously mentioned :
1) possiblility of cord prolapse
2)Nothing wrong, so no need to interfere
3)You are only 40 weeks, not 42(remember, the first two weeks of the pg wheel, you aren't even pg yet
4) It is not unusual for a healthy mom to go fullterm with twins. I had a friend (who was originally planning a homebirth) go fullterm with TRIPLETS. She looked like someone had attached a Charleston Gray watermelon to her front- but they were born healthy, 8lb boy, 6.5 girl and 6.4 girl...
5) 100% 3 cm, most likely you will go pretty quick. You might need that amniotic fluid in there to cushion the baby's heads from each other til one drops into the pelvis (which also might not occur til labor actually begins, if this isn't your first pg..)
Just some random thoughts...

[*MamaJen*]

Originally Posted by cathicog

I third the suggestions to wait. As previously mentioned :
1) possiblility of cord prolapse
2)Nothing wrong, so no need to interfere
3)You are only 40 weeks, not 42(remember, the first two weeks of the pg wheel, you aren't even pg yet
4) It is not unusual for a healthy mom to go fullterm with twins. I had a friend (who was originally planning a homebirth) go fullterm with TRIPLETS. She looked like someone had attached a Charleston Gray watermelon to her front- but they were born healthy, 8lb boy, 6.5 girl and 6.4 girl...
5) 100% 3 cm, most likely you will go pretty quick. You might need that amniotic fluid in there to cushion the baby's heads from each other til one drops into the pelvis (which also might not occur til labor actually begins, if this isn't your first pg..)
Just some random thoughts...

Yes to all of those. There's no medical reason to do it, and it very easily could have harmful side effects. Especially with twins, you don't want to risk cord prolapse. Unless you have medical side effects like high blood pressure, take it easy the next few days and let your babies come when they're ready.

[JennTheMomma]

I wouldn't do it. Same reasons as every has already mentioned.

[Bmorefarmgirl]

i am curious to know what happened! did you go on your own already? hope all is well!

[~Kristina~]

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty

I would be worried that, especially with twins, you would potentially have a cord prolaps problem. If a head was not securely on the cervix or it shifted off the cervix after the water was broken. Also, the time clock that would be started at the time would also be a concern.

I would not do it, personally.

Same here. Too risky and definitely worth the wait for labor to happen on its own.

[goldenwillow]

Water Break?

I think you and your Husband's gut feeling is right. If all is healthy, let it be. Congrats on 40 weeks Mama! Good luck on your home birth!

[JenChaffee]

I'm still here and very pregnant. I have continued trying natural induction methods ... chiropractor and acupuncture. MW was here yesterday and did stretch and sweep. I will talk to her again on Friday.

She thinks my cervix is ripe already. Baby A is posterior and is therefore not moving to put needed pressure on my cervix to get things started. Without that pressure, my uterus is not inspired to contract. Without my uterus contracting, she doesn't move down.

So I keep waiting ...