Qucik Help---water broken 9+ hours 2.5 cm

[nakagain]

My friend in another state is going on 9 hours with her water broken and she is stuck at 2.5 cm. I'm so tired that I can't think. I've told her to keep moving, use a birth ball and have someone massage with clary sage oil.

ANy advice quickly I can pass on to her????

[loveslabor]

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[pamamidwife]

it's a bummer that someone has checked her with her water broken! that increases the risk of infection quite a bit - no more fingers in there! ;)

I'd say let things take its course. It could be that her baby is in a funky position and just needs some time to readjust.

[NavelgazingMidwife]

I encourage women to:

- remain home (to stay out of other people's germs)
- keep ANYTHING out of the vagina, including a midwife's, nurse's, doctor's or partner's fingers - even with "sterile" gloves
- keep undies and pads OFF as much as possible (some need to "wear" a clean towel which needs to be changed often)
- take Vit C (many suggest loads; I suggest 200 mg every 6 hours or so)
- note baby's movements (and fetal heart tones if she has a doppler or fetoscope)
- take temperature every 4 hours and write it down! Chart them all and note any gradual rise - any temperature over 99 degrees must be reported to care provider (if she has one)
- drink at least a gallon of good water mixed with electrolyte water each day (electrolyte water = Smart Water/Recharge/etc.)
- wipe front to back - wipe CAREFULLY and meticulously

Women can go much longer than the standard 12-18 hours with ROM before resorting to induction and antibiotics. Depending on a mom's GBS status, how far along in pregnancy she is, and mom's wishes, much depends on how a woman might make choices surrounding ROM without contractions.

The woman in question who is "stuck" at 2.5 isn't stuck - she's just not in labor yet! Being so active before labor can totally knock a woman's stamina once labor does kick in. Once labor begins in earnest, she can be more active; until then, rest, tons of fluids, and STAY HOME!

If a woman *is* being threatened with induction or is choosing to go the standard medical route, she can try homeopathics, herbs, castor oil (wiping well - with a baby wipe preferable - is imperative), acupuncture, chiropractic (they need to go to her house), prayer, visualization, nipple stimulation (some find nursing another's newborn helpful) including nursing their toddler extra lots all can help. If she doesn't go into labor with all these things, she is really not ready yet and can choose to move forward with pitocin or to wait it out awhile longer.

I hope this helps.

Barb Herrera <who went 7 days without contractions after ROM before having a beautiful 8 hour labor - all midwives, including hospital CNMs - patiently waited and believed - and they were right!>