My water broke last night but....

[dharmama]

....nothing else really happening.

My water broke at about 10 o'clock. I was sleeping on the couch and I thought I wet my pants (wouldn't be the first time this pregnancy ) but after a while it became very obvious that it was not urine.

Got very excited. Buzzed around the house cleaning and organzing. Then crashed at midnight. Slept great until about 4 a.m. when I had to pee. DD came into bed around 5 and wanted to nurse which gave me some nice strong steady contractions.

After that we came down and ate breakfast. I've had a few sporadic contractions...nothing too strong. My parents came and picked up DD. (She's 23 mos and was clearly having a very hard time with me being internally focused. Every time I closed my eyes to breathe through a contraction she wanted to climb on me and nurse.)

I've talked to my MW a few times. She is taking a final exam right now so asked me to just relax a bit and wait to go out for a walk (or anything else to try to get labor going) until at least 10 o'clock (that's about 10 min from now).

I asked her if I'm "on the clock" since my water broke and she said not really. As long as I keep well hydrated and there's no fever she's comfortable waiting it out. (This is why I'm traveling over an hour -- passing three fancy new hosptials -- to go to an old inner-city hospital to have this baby! I my MW!!! )

Anyway....

If anyone has any suggestions to get things going....or to pass the time....please share!

[rozzie'sma]

My water broke 48 hours before I even had a contr'x. As long as you are hydrated and careful to watch for infection it's not a big deal. My biggest suggestion is to drink, drink, and sleep. I got dehydrated and it made things VERY difficult. Make some juice or emergency C, or gatorade popsicles as well. 00ph0 and CONGRATS......................

[brown eyed girls]

Henci Goer cites a French study in her book Thinking woman's Guide to a Better Birth-- that they let women go 96 hours after waters breaking with no increased problems of infection... the key is to keep people's hands out of your yoni.

My friend's water broke on Monday morning and baby was born Thursday midnight, about 50 hours later.... no infection or problems...

me... I'm the lady whose water breaks as the baby is coming out ... no personal experience here...

[dharmama]

Thanks mama!

I'm so glad I have such a great supportive midwife. I'm sure most of the OBs around here would have had me in the hospital on pitocin last night.

Just took a walk with DH. It's SO beautiful out. I'll keep drinking lots of water and RRL tea and eating lots of yummy watermelon!!!

[nova22]

Ugh, it's the prodromal CURSE! I hope things start moving along for ya!

[De-lovely]

I Thinking Womans Guide! Anyway-keep us posted mama-get some rest and lotsa water!!!

[~*max*~]

My goodness, these babies sure are making taking their own sweet time! No advice, just thinking of you.

[dharmama]

Thanks mamas!!

My MW friend came over a little while ago with her fetoscope (sp?) just to give things a listen. Nice strong HB at 140 BPM. She suggested "everything but intercourse" snuggling (which DH was very happy about) and left us alone! DH took his "job" very seriously and helped to bring on a few good contractions!

Now we're off to see my chiropractor and then my accupuncturist. Just want to make sure everything is in alignment and my energy is flowing freely...

Oooo....here comes a contrax. COME ON OUT BABY!!!!

to all the other mamas in waiting!!!

[Kathryn]

Not in your ddc, but wanted to caution you about the watermelon. It's not hydrating you, it's actually a diuretic (sp?). Yes, it's wonderful and I LOVE it, but I wanted to just make sure you knew that it will not keep you hydrated. I'd say for every slice you eat, drink a glass of water to help balance it out.

[KarmaChameleon]

:

Happy Birthing Erin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

: : : :

(dropping in from August DDC)

[Peppamint]

Aw ... I was thinking of you driving home from my mom's house earlier and was so hoping you'd gotten a break and had a super short labor what with the prodromal labor.

Keep us posted and lots of labor

[brown eyed girls]

I've eaten at least half a watermelon today. All by myself. :

It is SO yummy.

but all the crampiness I woke with is petering out. Oh well.

[luckylady]

yay you! can't wait to hear that birth story!!!

[eco_mama]

[dynamicdoula]

Originally Posted by dharmama

....nothing else really happening.

My water broke at about 10 o'clock. I was sleeping on the couch and I thought I wet my pants (wouldn't be the first time this pregnancy ) but after a while it became very obvious that it was not urine.

You and my client (due May 3) are in the same exact situation! I'm waiting to hear from her- her waters released at 7:30 last night and she slept a bit last night. I talked to her at 11 and she was having strong contractions but they were 20 minutes apart. I'll call her in a little while and see how she's doing.

Good luck to you! I'll tel my client about you, too- hopefully you can give some strength to each other as you enter into labor together!

[Naughty Dingo]

Hi Mama, how exciting.

With my second daughter, my birth waters broke with much excitment.....then nothing but some weak contractions. I was advised that when I got my baby into a better (not that she wasn't in a good position then) position, that would stimulate the contractions and the labor. I was to have a hospital birth so was on the clock and I was getting stressed as the hours went by with nothing.

So I rotated these positions with each weak little contraction. Sitting on the toilet, leaning over the sink, childs pose, and then a left side lying position where my left arm was behind me stretched toward my toes, my left leg was down straight, my right arm was over my head, and my right knee was up. This last position really isolates the uterus and helps the baby get in good position. My contractions were always much stronger in this position.

I would stay in each position for a few contractions than would switch. I spoke to my babe and told her it was safe to come now. The MW told me that many women get a communication from the baby when the baby is ready. Well, I was talking with the baby, standing over the sink when WHAM! I got a huge kick right at the top of my belly in the front, she totally moved, and the contractions really picked up. That is when I decided it would be safe to go to the hospital. I dilated and she was born an hour later.

I think if you can do some postions that will help push that head down on the cervix, you will encourage your uterus to contract more productively. Especially that left side lying one.

Did all the water break? Or do you think it was partial? Are you leaking like crazy still?

Good luck, this is so exciting Mama!!! I hope you are in productive labor land right now as I type.

ND

[flowmom]

I hope that you continue to stay patient and avoid inductions. Did you know that your amniotic sac can re-seal? That might have happened or be happening to you. Hang in there and remember that your body is working exactly as it should.

[Lucky Charm]

[KerriAZ]

I don't have any experience here! My water broke with DS and then he was here 3 1/2 hours later! But I wanted to wish you lots of and a peaceful, wonderful labor!! Sounds like your MW is AWESEOME! How lucky are you, girl!?!

Kerri

[dharmama]

Hi - Erin's DH here at Erin's side... thought you'd all want to know she's happilly, peacefully snuggling Quinn Joseph!

She pretty much wowed all of us - her midwife, doula & myself - as well as the whole staff here - with a beautiful natural birth.

Life is Good! Thanks for all your positive energy!