Should I go to hospital or not? - Update

[dakotamidnight]

UPDATE IN POST #14

Okay, babe has been engaged & low for the last 2 days. I've been having some pressure around my cervix & started losing plug on friday night. Having some serious nerve / sensation issues in abdomen {I.E. can't feel someone touching my abdomen at all, and only muted sensation internally}.

I'm pretty sure my water broke at least partially sometime earlier today {I've soaked several pantyliners over the course of the evening & can occasionally feel it gush a little similar to period}.

No real sign of contractions since water broke. Had some earlier today that were about 2 minutes apart & lasting 30 seconds or so but after about a hour they stopped :

I'm planning on trying to get things going later tonight with nipple simulation {with pump}, and anything else I can think of or is suggested.

Should I head to hospital {planning on bospital birth - but with the least interventions possible} in the morning, or wait it out at home? I know if I call my OB they will just end me to the hospital to get checked out - so I'm not even going to bother calling them to ask.

I'm worried that maybe I am contracting & just can't feel it with the whole nerve issue.

[CrunchyKat]

I would wait to go to the hospital, but that's just my opinion. Because you think that your water has broken, most hospitals want to get the baby delivered asap after the waters been broken. Meaning, if you aren't contracting yet, they will most likely give you pitocin, which oftentimes leads to an epidural, which oftentimes leads to a c/s! See what I'm saying? I would deffinetly try nipple stimulation, sex, walking, homeopathic remedies, and if you feel comfortable even castor oil. And I'm sure if you were contracting you would know it!!

[dvons]

I'd also hold off... Especially since you aren't quite "sure".

Deb

[SammyLucasNHarper]

IMHO if you think your water has broken I would NOT be having sex!

Its a good question. If I thought my water had broekn I might go get checked out. A good test to see if it is your water is...go pee...then lay down for 15 minutes. Then get up and if you gush any fluid...its most likely your water has broken....(thats how I tested when mine broke with DS) I didnt have any contractions for 3hrs after my water broke with DS...but when it hit...it hit!

[dakotamidnight]

Originally Posted by SammyLucasNHarper

IMHO if you think your water has broken I would NOT be having sex!

Its a good question. If I thought my water had broekn I might go get checked out. A good test to see if it is your water is...go pee...then lay down for 15 minutes. Then get up and if you gush any fluid...its most likely your water has broken....(thats how I tested when mine broke with DS) I didnt have any contractions for 3hrs after my water broke with DS...but when it hit...it hit!

Sex is out for me anyways - no one around to have sex with

Gush test was positive - and the fluid ferned when looked at under a microscope, so I'm fairly sure it's my waters.

I really wish it'd start already:

[CrunchyKat]

I'd deffinetly say try to get some sleep, you're going to have a LONGGGG journey ahead very soon! If you wake up in the morning and still nothing, I would give it a few hours trying stimulation, lots of walking, and maybe the castor oil blended with ice cream, if you feel comfortable with that. Then if there is still no contractions by say noon? Then I'd call your dr and talk about going to the hospital. Your body knows what to do, I promise

[littleteapot]

If I were you I'd take some vitamin C and some garlic (fresh, just cut it up and swallow a clove like a pill) stay plenty hydrated and kick back and relax. No fingers, penii or anything else up inside - and NO hospital visits.
Hospital will result in pitocin, which will probably result in pain medication, which could result in 'failure to progress' according to standards which could lead to a c-section. Your labour will start eventually, or your water might reseal and you'll be just fine.

[Sanguine]

Here's a question... what's your relationship with your doctor? If my water broke, they would want me in the hospital for antibiotics/observation, but only because I'm group b strep positive... I know (because we talked about it early in pregnancy) that if I was negative, they would want me to let them know, and maybe get checked out, but not stay/be induced. I am lucky to have a very supportive & cooperative midwife & OB, though, & I realize a lot of docs are not so reasonable.

Also... if you can't *feel* the contractions from the inside... try putting your hands on your belly and seeing if you can feel them that way. Sometimes that's the only way I can really be aware of mine.

[sesta]

Patience grasshopper. I would stay away from the hospital as long as possible or at least until you are 100% positive things are actually going somewhere. I know it's hard, but it sounds like it's very very close! Good luck, sounds like you're almost there!

[maciascl]

Originally Posted by littleteapot

If I were you I'd take some vitamin C and some garlic (fresh, just cut it up and swallow a clove like a pill) stay plenty hydrated and kick back and relax. No fingers, penii or anything else up inside - and NO hospital visits.

Yes you really want to avoid infection now that your water has broken. My only concern is your lack of sensation. You may be haveing good ctx & not even know it. That is a tough one. Good luck whatever you choose to do.

[happyus3]

Ok, if you can't feel your belly, can you feel the baby move? If not, I would go and get things checked. You can always tell them you just want to be sure the baby is doing ok, or if you want, leave against medical advice. If you really are concerned, I wouldn't chance hurting the baby, especially if you were going to have a hospital birth anyway. Good luck

[nichole]

Only you can decide what to do. But everyone is right, if you go to the hospital now, they are going to want to do antibiotics and start pitocin b/c they want the baby out within 24 hrs b/c of the infection risk. Of course all the vaginal exams they do in the hospital and all the germs there are probably what lead to this risk, but even some homebirth midwives consider transfer after so long, right? I think pitocin often leads to distress in the baby and can be a reason for a c section. If you don't want antibiotics or pitocin, don't go. If you are worried and you think these interventions are a good thing, then I would go in.

We waited it out with my son but he was born only 14 hours after my membranes ruptured. I think after 12 to 24 hours I would have considered going to the hospital but that is just me.

[littleteapot]

Oh! I just wanted to add... my belly skin is also numb. Been numb for weeks in patches. It kind of burns just beneath the skin but I can't feel the surface

[dakotamidnight]

update: Well it's now been close to 24 hours and nada, even with nipple stimulation using a pump multiple times & RRL Tea. I'm hesitant on trying anything herbal stronger than the RRL tea for fear of it affecting my heart murmur and asthma.

So probably in a few hours after I get my things together I'll be heading for the hospital. I'm really hoping that they say it isn't my waters, but I'm almost 100% sure it is. Not really what I wanted but I'm not comfortable going over 24 hours without some monitoring / checking on babe. She seems to still be moving around some, but since I've soaked 5+ liners since about 5 pm yesterday I'm concerned about fluid levels. I'd feel more comfortable if I could tell what position she's in - but I can't: I'm hoping she's still head down like she was last week.

I'm going prepared with birth plan - course my OB practice doesn't deliver at the hospital I'm headed to so I'm thinking this will be an uphill battle. But I refuse to deliver at the affialated hospital for my OB - that place is DIRTY and you get no care.

And of course it would have to be pouring raining here which makes transportation / flooding an issue :

[Aliviasmom]

Oh, good luck! I hope things happen soon!

[mojumi]

Good luck Darla! You sound as prepared as you can be. I might suggest a little creative timekeeping when you're asked when your water broke, depending on the vibe you get from the staff at the hospital. And remember you are your own best advocate for care! Many hugs-

Monique

[orangefoot]

I would stay at home for a while too. Your risk of *outside* infection is less at home and no-one will be messing with you. Rest while you can and aren't feeling any discomfort from the tightenings, keep eating and drinking well too.

Infection from within yourself is another matter and that is about your personal comfort zone. Here in the UK protocol for prolonged SROM is IV anti biotics after 18 hours, breaking of any remaining waters and Pit 1 hour later if there is still nothing happening. I went in after more than 24 hours SROM mainly because I felt that dd was in an odd position and that was why my tightenings weren't strong nor productive even after such a long time. I was right.

See how you feel and go when you feel ready.

ETA - I typed too slow NAK then answered the phone! I see you may be ready now. Good luck.

[Sanguine]

Good luck! Stay focused on what YOU want and believe that you can remain in control.. hospitals & doctors are useful tools... just remember YOU are the one having the baby, ultimately YOU can decide what you do & don't want to say yes to... In a way I think just avoiding the hospital can give the 'system' more power--rather than fearing what they might pressure you into, spend a little time shoring up your confidence in your ability to say yes and no, and to be autonomous in WHATEVER place you are giving birth.

Remember also that the nurses can be real allies and are usually the 'front line' in any hospital... if you don't like the nurse/doc you're given, MAKE NOISE and get another one. YOU are the paying customer! Good luck and remember to breathe!

[Sahmami]

Whatever you decide - go for it.

But I thought to mention this in case it helps you to decide to stay home a bit longer rather than risking going to the hospital and being bombered!

My water broke at 29 weeks with my daughter and I ended up getting a flight to a big city (V) five - six hours away from my home. Stayed there for three weeks and then flown back to a city (K) an hour from my home and stayed there for a week before I finally signed myself out to come home and wait til baby is born but I was in labour that day and knew that I'll be having her that day and I did. She was born with apagar score of 9 and 9. Now this funny thing is - they said that I have come across to several infections and guess where that came from?? HOSPITAL! They had me in insolation in city (K) because they were worried that I contacted a very serious infection from the bigger city (V). There were a very deadly virus going around and I was transported there with my water broken!! VERY bad idea. Luckily everything went good for us and it turned out that even though I had some minor infections from there - I didn't contacted that deadly virus nor the baby. Personally - I think all women with prolonged broken water is much better off waiting at home til almost time to give birth and then transfer (if needed be - I wanted to birth at home but hubby was frantic because baby was premature (33wks & 6 days) so we went and had her an hour later) Its better to stay home and birth at home - unless you are worried that something is really wrong. Just thought to share with you about this since my water was broken for full four weeks and my water was very low (had several ultrasounds and that yucky vaginal ultrasound - whatever that's called - and I was leaking constantly all day and all night so I was put at bed rest to slow down the leaking. Yet my daugther - she was born a very vigorious baby!! Strong and healthy! Despite of the length of broken waters. Just don't have people putting their fingers up there in case (I did let them at first for a while - and then said no from then on) Home is better than hospital, IMHO

I hope this helps! Let me know how everything goes!!

Yvonne.

[blissful_maia]

Good luck, mama. I know this is a totally emotional time for you. I, much to my dismay as well, needed to have a Pitocin induction at 43 weeks last pregnancy (after planning a home water birth) and I did it all with no other interventions including pain relief. That was 26 hours from 4cm to baby born also, so it was challenging but not impossible. Just wanted to encourage you and let you know you can do it the way you want to do it even if you prefer to be in hospital.