My water broke...and nothing else

[M_of_M]

Well, at about 6am my water broke and I continued to leak until maybe 8am. I don't have any contractions and I haven't seen my mucous plug (how is THAT possible?). Even though that's my second labour, I am not really sure what to do. I am planning to deliver at the hospital but I am just not sure if I should go get checked or stay at home for now and hopefully wait for my contractions to start on their own? Do you know how much time the hospital usually gives for labour to start on its onw?

What do you think?

[hipem]

If you do go to the hospital be prepared they that will not willingly send you home (though that is always an option of yours but they may want you to sign a waiver). I think most places now want labor to start within 12 hours but will want to start inducing you if you go in.

If you are not still leaking, I'd just go about your day and see if anything happens.

[Sali]

I have heard that you have to go into labor within 24 hours to avoid infection...don't have sex, don't take a bath and don't douche (as if)...congratulations on seeing some action!

[Sleepymama]

yep if you go in they won't let you leave. They will do everything to make you deliver within 24 hours of rupture. I'd do what the PP said--nothing goes in there, no baths until you're in active labor. Go for a walk. I bet you'll have ctx by the end of the day.

[forest~mama]

I agree. Don't go in yet unless you want to feel assaulted. They won't "let" you leave, and will get aggressive about induction if you don't start on your own. Sending labor vibes!

[beanbean]

Congratulations!!

The same thing happened to me last time and I was clueless! I didn't think it was possible. I called my doula and got some tips.

Stay home -- the risk of infection is tiny compared to all the germs at the hospital (add on an internal exam & the risk is worse). As soon as you get to the hospital, they'll set a clock -- they will want to make sure there's a baby within 48 hrs of the water breaking (via induction or c-section if necessary). If you stay at home you can stretch that out.

You really need to "kick start" your labor. Start walking, walk up and down the stairs, use nipple stimulation, have some long kisses with your husband, etc. Get yourself somewhere dark and quiet, without distractions. Take a nap, if you can - you'll need the energy later!

You can do this!

[EllasMama]

My water broke with my DD and I didn't have any contractions at all for a good 12 hours. Things progressed to where I was in active labor about 16 hours after rupture. I was birthing w/midwives and they weren't worried at all - m/w's typically give 48-72 hours rather than the hospital's 12-24. I went in to see them but they didn't do any cervical checks till I went back to the birth center to give birth, when I was 9 cm.

Good luck w/your birth. Soon you will be holding your sweet baby!

Carol

[danav]

If it were me, I'd definitely stay home and NOT go to the hospital until labor is well under way...and if it doesn't get to that point for a while, I might even fudge the time at which my water broke so they wouldn't put me "on the clock" (threatening augmentation or even C-section if I didn't manage to give birth within their protocol time frame). As long as you are not having vaginal exams (which they would certainly do at the hospital), you shouldn't have much risk for infection at this point. Good luck!!

[MadameC]

This happened to me last time, and my labour never did start on its own. Just be careful about how long you wait as they may try to give you antibiotics if you show up 48 hours later and tell them your water broke (unless you fudge the timing like suggested). I waited 48 hours (with nurses consent) then the doctor found this out and frightened me into taking antibiotics because he said that was toooo long. If you are comfortable with it, ride it out at home a bit.
Congratulations on things starting to roll!!! I'm at 40 weeks and waiting! :

[krizty]

My doctor told me once my water breaks, it's game on. They don't want to chance infection. If you dont start contracting they can induce you. They won't turn you away for it... and you can always tell them not to do any internal exams. You wouldn't want to risk infection.

My water broke and I went to the hospital ASAP.

[Jlcampbellkidz]

Unfortunetly the movies and TV shows have depicted things quite differently then they usually happen. Believe it or not lot's of woman have thier bag of waters rupture and no contrax. Sometimes they start on their own and sometimes not.

My water broke with DD1 and I didn't have one contraction on my own for 32 hours. I didn't go in right away and had called and consulted my doula. I did consent to PIT at the 32 hour mark and believe me, they were giving me hell about waiting so long. But baby bean was fine. Labor was very hard with pit and I gave in to the epi.
As a doula, my experience with hospitals and ruptured membranes is that they are usually in a rush to"DO" something. If you are hopeing for a very small amount of intervention, I would wait to go in. Maybe even try some of the things in above post for starting labor. Ultimately you will have to use your judgement in this situation. Just don't forget you have a voice, and can say" I Do NOT Consent" once at the hospital. Always ask the question " Is my baby ok", am I Ok. They need to give you all the info so you can make informed smart decisions.

Good luck mama.