I need more advice (NO JUDGEMENT WELCOME)

[PeachyKeen]

My membranes ruptured late Friday nite. I opted to go to the hospital to get checked out. Sure enough membranes were ruptured and we were in a holding pattern until about 1pm this afternoon. I had no progression whatsoever so they started pitocin even though I did not want to, I was concerned about infection (see how brainwashed I am). However after a few hours on the pit and trying to remain active to keep my contractions coming, it became apparent I would soon be diagnosed failure to progress and likely end in a c section (do not reply a c section is nothing for blah blah blah reason as I do not feel the same way).
Anyways my question is did anyone wait after they were certain their membranes were ruptured? Did you go into labor shortly thereafter? Did I make the right decision in going home? These thoughts are plaguing me right now as I wait for my contrax to pick up to the point where I can head back in.

[PoppyMama]

I lied about when my water broke to give myself extra time and still didn't have any productive contractions. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, stuff just happens. I walked and walked and waited and nothing. Ended up with lots of constant, always increasing pit to avoid a c-section. It worked and I lived through it. I hope you can figure out the right decisions for you.

[MaerynPearl]

Are you trying anything natural to help stimulate? (nipple stimulation, walking, things you can still do with the membranes ruptured)

I wouldnt lie about it myself BUT my midwife would not be rushing me to be induced/c-section. If that were a threat, I would totally lie.

[Jane]

Studies show that the risk of infection after rupture is related to time after first exam. I'm assuming you've been examined since you've been to the hospital?
Are you are term? Is baby happy? Fluid clear? No fever? Is there any bag remaining - sometimes I'll break a remaining forebag if I find one on the first exam - if we're facing risk of infection from confirmed leaking, might as well get full bang for buck on fully broken bag.

For my clients, I will recommend watchful waiting for the first 24 hours, then try castor oil for induction if contractions don't pick up. If that doesn't work, then we go to the hospital for pitocin. Most women will labor within 24 hours, even more within 48. If you haven't begun labor by 96 hours, chances are, statistically, you won't begin labor on your own. I would think that the pit would have started something...
Gonna get kicked off MDC, but you could try cytotect in the hospital if you really want a last ditch effort to avoid a section.

[PeachyKeen]

Originally Posted by Apricot

Studies show that the risk of infection after rupture is related to time after first exam. I'm assuming you've been examined since you've been to the hospital?
Are you are term? Is baby happy? Fluid clear? No fever? Is there any bag remaining - sometimes I'll break a remaining forebag if I find one on the first exam - if we're facing risk of infection from confirmed leaking, might as well get full bang for buck on fully broken bag.

For my clients, I will recommend watchful waiting for the first 24 hours, then try castor oil for induction if contractions don't pick up. If that doesn't work, then we go to the hospital for pitocin. Most women will labor within 24 hours, even more within 48. If you haven't begun labor by 96 hours, chances are, statistically, you won't begin labor on your own. I would think that the pit would have started something...
Gonna get kicked off MDC, but you could try cytotect in the hospital if you really want a last ditch effort to avoid a section.

Thank you. I was in the hospital with pitocin and was not progressing after 12 hours of contractions. I left becus the stress of the hospital was wearing on me. They would NOT let me remain mobile and insisted on monitoring me at all times because I was technically an induction. I did have clear fluid and am still having clear fluid and baby is moving around albeit not quite as much due to the fluid loss. I've been checking my temperature every 20-30 mins and remaining active and sitting on my birthing ball which seems to be helping things along quite a bit. I am contracting much more regularly on my own and they are definitely more intense then the contrax at the hospital. I just needed some reassurance that my baby was not going to die immediately upon leaving the hospital simply because my membranes were ruptured.
Sorry if I come off as belligerent but I have spent 20 hours fighting with nurses and doctors over stuff like eating and mobility.

[RedOakMomma]

I've seen midwives let their clients go days with ruptured membranes, and Ina May talks about in her Guide to Childbirth. You're doing what you should be doing--monitoring your temps and baby's movement.

My labor pattern (in two births) has been to have a massive membrane rupture, then *NOTHING* for about 12 hours. I seem to get into a labor pattern by walking for miles and miles and miles. Eat normally. Drink normally. Hook up your breast pump or have your partner stimulate (suck) your nipples.

After about 12 hours, my body would start to kick in. Not sure why I need that pause, or what's happening during the pause, but it's the way I've seen a lot of women labor. There's nothing wrong--it's a type of labor pattern. It just really freaks out doctors.

I'm assuming you're going to go into the hospital close to transition or in transition, so they don't go all crazy on you about the length of your time with ruptured membranes?

((hug)) I know it's a hassle, and I know it stinks to have to stay at home with background worry, when really doctors should just chill out and let you labor honestly the way your body needs to labor.

[Jodie8]

With my son, my membranes ruptured and I went into labour 36 hours after-he was born 12 hours after that. I went for acupuncture in the meantime. I also took my temp every 4 hours and waited it out. Good luck!

[RedOakMomma]

FYI, with my first birth it took about 18 hours for labor to kick in. For my second, about 12. I've seen it go longer and shorter for other women here at MDC, but that pause with nothing much happening is more common than you'd think. Don't feel like something's wrong, unless you get that inner mama voice going that something actually IS wrong. (clear as mud, right? hope you know what I mean.) Watch your temps, monitor movement, keep your energy up (eat! drink! walk!), and you'll be fine.

[HeatherB]

I'm amazed they let you leave, but I think it was a good choice. It sounds like you're being vigilant on watching for signs of infection or signs of baby not doing as well. It can take a while after waters break for labor to set in, and being patient (and avoiding anything internal) is a very reasonable course of action.

Definitely try the natural methods others have discussed. If you're having ctx but they're not all that regular, parsley tea can help. Just get fresh parsley, boil it, and drink the liquid. Nipple stim (a pump is generally the most effective method) can be very good for getting ctx going. And there are some homeopathics that can help stimulate labor, too. I'm certain if you search these forums for natural labor stimulation/induction you'll find plenty!

[lunamegn]

Sounds like things are happening, so that's good. So in the meantime, why not take some echinacea and/or goldenseal if you can to prevent infection...?

With my last I'm pretty sure my membrane ruptured a full 24 hours before the baby was born. Granted, I did not have an exam but my midwife suggested taking echinacea/goldenseal.

[nia82]

My water broke around noonish and labor started around 1am the next night. I didn't do or eat anything, it just happened. My sister had the same thing. My mom's water broke with me at noon and she didn't have contractions until 24 hours later.
I would try all the natural methods mentioned and definitely keep the internal exams away from you.

[BunnySlippers]

I also think you made the right choice.
As long as all is well, why go looking for trouble.
I remember reading that your body will continue to make amniotic fluid, plus your baby is breathing/being nourished through umbilical and placenta, so no worries there.

Drink lots of water eat lots of good food, keep us updated on progress

[homemademom]

My waters broke with my first and I didn't start contracting consistently for 24 hours. My mw just monitored me and I received no exams. Baby was born another 12 hours later.

[myk]

i don't have that experience but hope that you're able to have this kid with as little intervention as possible

[Strong Mama]

Hi I dont know if I am posting a reply too late, you may be back at the hospital by now! But my waters broke on a midnight Tuesday and I had ds at 9am Friday. I labored from Tuesday-Friday. At my house. Yes, I kept trotting back and to the midwives to check things but finally friday at 5am my contractions were 3 mins apart, i went on in. This was overseas, so luckily they let your body go naturally when all possible.

[HappyMommy2]

I agree you made the right choice. And only you can know what is right.

It has been awhile since I read all my books, but for some reason "3 days" sticks out in my mind as the amt of time it can be okay to walk around with a ruptured bag of waters. Please don't quote me, and I apologize for not remembering the exact book.

In your situation, I would personally drink tons of water/tea and take my temp orally every 3 hours. If you were in the hospital, they probably gave you an internal exam, and therefore the concern is infection. Also - I would refuse further internal exams.

Good luck mama, keep us updated!

[crayfishgirl]

My waters broke when I was 8 days "past due" but I wasn't having any productive (even overly apparent) contractions. My initial OB, whom I had had discussions with throughout my pregnancy about my desire for little/no interventions, said that it was imperative that I have the baby within 8 hours for both of our safety (it was a much longer and drawn out discussion). Anyway, long story short, I fired him, my new OB was wonderful, and she sent us home to walk, nipple stimulation, pressure points, etc. I walked for miles (literally 11 miles) while periodically rubbing my nipples (lovely) without any change. I started pitocin the next morning and had my daughter 18 hours later.

I think your body knows what to do, and that whatever decision you make is the best and right decision.

Good luck!!

[nova22]

With #4, my water broke on Monday and my son was born on Thursday. It was a small leak, not a huge gush. MW suggested vitamin C to help ward off infection and after a couple days recommended 10 tablets of swiss kriss (an herbal laxative available at health food stores) to push things along. It does not have the same effects as castor oil, it was very gentle and labor started full-force less than three hours after I took it, just as MW said it woudl.

[liberal_chick]

My water was broken for 10 WEEKS with ds1, so I don't buy the idea that the baby must come out in X amount of time (especially if there have been no exams).

Good luck!

[dex_millie]

Originally Posted by PeachyKeen

My membranes ruptured late Friday nite. I opted to go to the hospital to get checked out. Sure enough membranes were ruptured and we were in a holding pattern until about 1pm this afternoon. I had no progression whatsoever so they started pitocin even though I did not want to, I was concerned about infection (see how brainwashed I am). However after a few hours on the pit and trying to remain active to keep my contractions coming, it became apparent I would soon be diagnosed failure to progress and likely end in a c section (do not reply a c section is nothing for blah blah blah reason as I do not feel the same way).
Anyways my question is did anyone wait after they were certain their membranes were ruptured? Did you go into labor shortly thereafter? Did I make the right decision in going home? These thoughts are plaguing me right now as I wait for my contrax to pick up to the point where I can head back in.

I had two births and with each my water broke with no signs of contractions. With my first birth it took 46 hours before I went into labor and with my 2nd birth it took 60 hours before I went into labor.

I had a homebirth and my midwife was not worried about it since my water was clear, baby was moving and heartbeat was fine. I didn't do anything to try and induce besides walking. After 24 hours I had to take Vitamin C, a herbal tinture for infections(think it was a goldenseal and echinecea tinture)-which I think is rare if nothing was inserted after your water broke and took my temperture every 4-6 hours. Oh I was drinking alot of water and using cloth pads.