AHHH Water Broke panic....how long after yours did contrx start? *UPDATE*

[DeChRi]

Ok, I woke up at 3:30am with what I was 90% sure was a gush of water. Guessing, from clean up, around 1/2 to 3/4 c worth. No smell, clear, sat on toilet, small leak continued. Was excited and went back to sleep to rest before contractions started. Work up to another one, smaller, maybe 1/4 cup, at 6:30am. Still no contractions. Got up, put on pad to track leaking, took dog out, BIG gush. Saturated one of my super duper post partum overnight pads. That was 30 minutes ago, still no contractions. Have not called Dr. Am delivering at hospital and I know that will start the time clock. However, I am GBS+ and am not comfortable sitting her all day waiting for something to happen.

As of 2 days ago at Dr I was 3 cm dialated, 50% effaced and she is so low I can feel her head. I am 40 weeks Monday.

So what do I do? For those that have had water break early like that, how long did it take for things to start??? Is this normal not to be in labor yet? Just crampy but nothing not abnormal I guess. Just now up and moving a lot for the day.

?????

[Curlita]

With my first, I was having mild contractions and then my water broke. In my case, there was meconium in the fluid, so I had to go into the hospital immediately. They determined that the baby was not in any distress and we spent the night there.

The next morning my contractions had actually slowed. Here is what my midwife told me: 80% of the time, women start having regular contractions within 12 hours of their water breaking. So we waited until 15 hours after and then, when my contractions were still erratic, we started a Pitocin drip.

So... if you are sure there is no meconium and fluid is clear, it is probably safe to wait a while (keeping in mind that I am NOT a medical professional, etc. etc. etc.)

In my case, I think that the early water breaking, meconium, and false starts all had to do with the fact that Dylan's cord was being constricted.

GOOD LUCK and keep is posted! Hopefully you will start contracting like mad any minute now!

[ComfyCozy]

I understand that you'd be a little uncomfortable with waiting too long due to the GBS. A few things--

Leave the area alone. As long as the amniotic fluid keeps coming out, well, that's the direction you want things flowing. You don't want anything going up, so no douching, etc.

If you choose to go to the hospital, be sure you are prepared to stand your ground on what is acceptable to you and what is not acceptable to you. i.e. You are willing to try to jump start your labor, but, say, want to give yourself 6-8 hours to start on your own, or you would like a double breast pump to get the oxytocin flowing, etc. They can't do anything without your consent, and if it comes down to it you might have to alter the consent form that you sign to make it acceptable to you.

I don't know what a safe time is to wait before going to get the abx, but if you're still waiting to go into labor, then one option is to keep your clothes on (things chaaaange when you put that gown on ), receive the abx, and then when it's finished, go for a walk, work on nipple stim, etc.

Good luck Jojo!! It's about time! I can't believe you made it this long, you've been so "labor-y" for so long...

[DeChRi]

My mom is on her way up. I am feeling kind of crampy. Gonna shower and call the Dr in an hour or so, thus time stamping myself later. Wish me luck!!

[adon]

with DS my water broke and my CX never reg. after more than 24 hours we decided to go to the hospital (we had been planning a homebirth)...but decided to go becuase if we really needed to be at a hospital we DID NOT want to go into the local hospital. so we drove 30min to the back up dr hospital. MW said everything was fine as long as the fluid was clear of moconium. this time if it happens we won't be going anywhere! MW now knows US (DH is a lawyer so she was taking her own precautions) better, and WE know better.

[Hezzy]

jojo - I don't have an answer for you, but good luck getting those contractions started!

[JamesMama]

My water broke at 4:15 stated having regular ctx at 7:30. With James it was less than half an hour later (my water broker before ctx with both babies)

Given that you're GBS+, personally I'd wanna go sooner than later...

[yogachick79]

Hey you, congrats!!!!

With DS my water broke and I went in shortly after even though ctx didn't really get going for a WHILE (but I was also GBS+ with him). Got abx, walked around a lot and just hung out at the hosp for the abx doses at the times that they were given.

Best best best of luck to you. Tons of peaceful labor vibes and wishing some good productive ctx coming your way!

[wwisdomskr]

My water broke first with both of my dds. Contractions built in duration and frequency after. If they hadn't, I still would have waited 12 hours before considering doing anything about it. I would take my temperature every 3-4 hours, use meticulous personal hygiene, change my pads frequently and smell them (being on the alert for anything "off", the smell should be neutral or sweet). Unless there are obvious signs of something amiss, I trust that my body knows what it is doing.

Try to make an informed, evidence and instinct-based decision...rather than one based on fear... I know it's not always the easy thing to do. You and your baby are connected on the deepest level. You will know if you need to go in. Trust yourself.

Good luck, Mama! Gentle birthing vibes coming your way.

[cheeseRjedi]

26 hours till labor started for me. Everything turned out fine.

Good luck to you!

[scheelimama]

Hope contractions start soon!!! Happy Birthing day!

[chrysalis]

oh jojo i'm excited for you!!!

boy the laboring really does vary from mama to mama doesn't it in relation to water breaking...wow.

[lisalulu]

Mine took a few hours to start. Good luck and hope you are contracting soon!

[GearGirl]

You sound just like me with my first, right down to walking the dog! My water broke at about 8:30am, just like yours, a few gushes, continuous trickle. I think I called the DR at about 11:00, went in at about 2:00pm just to check to make sure it was my water (duh), and then left the hospital. At about 4:00/5:00pm I had the start of real contractions, so maybe about 8 hours after my water broke? That was on a Saturday, I ended up having ds at about 3:30 in the afternoon on Sunday, so it was definitely well over 24 hours for me. I was back at the hospital Saturday night, so I would have had plenty of time if I needed any antibiotics or anything. Good luck!!!!

[GinaRae]

I bet your bag was bulging yesterday when you could feel something but couldn't use your jalapeno hands to find out ?????

Congrats, mama!!

Now, to be sad and selfish, I have really enjoyed chatting with you lately on the DDC. So sad to see you become one of THOSE moms who have delivered.

But happy to hear it too!

[isosmom]

Update?

[DeChRi]

We have a baby girl.

Delaney Claire was born Saturday morning at 12:47, weighing in at 8lb 9oz and 20.5 inches long.

more later!

[renaissanceed]

Congratulations Joanna & welcome baby Delaney! Can't wait to see pix & hear the story.

[sorteep]

big congratulations to you

[isosmom]

Yay! Congrats mama.