Early Labor YAY!!!

[Smurfy]

My water started leaking this morning, no contractions yet but the midwives figure it'll be coming soon.  If not in the next 24 hours then they'll have me come in to start monitoring baby and giving me some induction options, avoiding petocin or other drugs at all costs so we'll see what happens.  In the meantime I'm going to get some laundry done (:

[CamilleBethany]

Yay! Congrats! Keep us posted if you are able to.

[Ms. B. Sprout]

That's great, Smurfy! I hope it all goes just the way you want it to.

[wombatclay]

Happy birthing vibes to you!  I can't wait to hear your birth story!  :)

[Lexi_029]

How exciting. Here's hoping those contractions pick up soon.

[OSTC]

Best wishes for a great labor/birth!

[Smurfy]

Thanks everyone!  It's been about 5 hours and nothing yet, just water still leaking everytime I move, SO annoying.  On the plus side at least I know this is labor and not just practice BH contractions anymore, even if I'm not having very many contractions, hardly any so far and they're not very strong.  I know doctors insist that labor must start within a certain time period after the membranes ruptured, I'm going to just flop out on the couch for a while and try to get some rest, tough because I'm excited but I know this could be a long while yet. 

Oops, editing, I meant to ask if anyone knows typical midwife protocol for ruptured membranes?  I know doctors get nervous and want things started but I'm not sure how long midwives are willing to wait.  They said this morning that after 24 hours they'll check on things but they didn't get into detail about my options after that, or how long they'll be willing to let things progress, or not progress, naturally. 

[NWnewmom]

Ooooh, good luck on a fast and easy labor!

[ashleypLC]

I don't know about your midwife's protocol from ruptured membranes, maybe just call and ask?  Also, a friend of mine had the same thing, leaking water started around 7am or so.  She barely had that many contractions all day and when she did they were more like early labor...at 1030pm she went into transition and the baby was delivered by her at 11pm.  I only share that story so you don't stress about your contractions just go about your day as usual!  It'll happen :)  Good luck!!

[Smurfy]

Good to know, it would be nice if it was that easy!  Years ago the same thing happened to a friend of mine, water started leaking, she went to the hospital, they sent her home, and she had to go back the next day.  They broke her water the next morning and she had the baby hours later, I think in total she was in labor for 48 hours or more.  So you never know how it's going to go.  Contractions have started a bit now but nothing strong enough to pay attention to, I'm trying to ignore them and get all of my laundry done.

[LadyJennifer]

Yay! ELVs to you!

[rareimer]

Woot woot!  Go Smurfy!!!  Can't wait to hear all about your new little one.

[Mama2ChicknLil]

Oh um so excited for you! I think as long as your midwife isn't doing tons of internal exams and you keep changing your pad/pantyliners regularly you should be fine for a while. A cousin of mine leaked for 3 days before ctx picked up (of course, she's in Paris...midwives seem less hands on there). Sending happy labor vibes!!!!

[cparkly]

Sending love and peaceful thoughts your way. In retrospect, I wish that I had rested more when I started leaking. I hope that you are able to. Much love.

[FarmerCathy]

Yay!!!

[LovingBaby]

Yay!  How exciting!  Hope you go into active labour soon and get to hold your sweet new babe soon!!

[scottishmommy]

Good luck Smurfy! I hope you are holding your sweet little babe soon. Sending you positive vibes!

[amyandelle]

I am so excited for you Mama!! Can't wait for another update :)

Amy

[sweetestday]

I know my MW just says to keep drinking a lot of water because your body will use it to keep baby supplied with enough fluid in there. Have fun! (I love labor.)    :)

[Smurfy]

Ok one last update for the night.  Contractions have been coming all afternoon but still not exactly regular.  It seems if they're closer together they're shorter and weaker and if they're further apart they're longer and stronger.  My midwife wants a decision from me in a few minutes about weather or not we're ready to head to the hospital.  Contractions did seem to be every 3-4 min but now I they've slowed quite a bit and are shorter, so I may stay home and try to get some sleep.  If I don't go in tonight I have to go in at 9 tomorrow morning for a NST and to check on the baby.  Thanks again for all the support!