Waters gone, head not engaged, induction tomorrow??

[whinegums]

Hi, not quite sure why I'm posting, maybe just looking for some reasurrance...

I'm term +16 (or T+11 if I go from conception rather than scan date - overdue anyway) with first baby.

My waters broke early hours this morning - and lots of them - soaked a bath towel, and went through 3 maternity pads v quickly. I've been to hospital to be checked - waters clear, baby moving and good heartbeat etc, everything fine with me. I had some pains from about 6am, which were coming every 10 mins, but they've all but stopped. Waters still coming.

Baby's head is only 1/5th engaged. I've been told to call hospital tomorrow morning to make sure they're not too busy, and then go in for induction. I've been refusing induction up til now - I'm petrified of ending up on synto drip with continuous monitoring, not able to move and needing an epidural - my hospital doesn't do mobile ones either.

Midwife said there was 'a reason' why head wasn't engaged, but didn't really explain. Apparently baby is a good size - approx 8lb estimated from scan last week - but not massive, so I don't think that's stopping him from moving down.

Any thoughts/experiences? I know the risk of infection is increased; of course my main priority is the safety of both of us, but I'm feeling so sad and disappointed about potentially ending up with a highly medicalised birth.

Feel free to give me a kick up the jacksy if I'm being over the top/self indulgent....

[TheProvincialLady]

If you have to ring beforehand to check that the hospital is not too busy to have you in for induction then you can't really be an emergency case can you? I would see that as a very positive sign.

If your waters went this morning then the chances are you will go into labour pretty soon. If you don't then you can go on as you are for a couple of days befoe NICE guidelines recommend induction. Don't have sex or have a bath (shower ok) or a VE - basically do nothing that could introduce infection.

It is very hard I know (I held off induction too and DS was born at 42+6) but the best thing you can do is rest up, calm down and let nature take its course. Worrying at this stage will hold off labour so have you got a relaxation CD you can do, or some deep breathing exercises etc?

Good luck

[micegg]

You may still go into labour. I did 20 hours after waters broke. I was meant to have IV antibiotics during labour but no time (Ds arrived 40 mins after I got to hosp). So we stayed in for 2 nights for him to be monitored for infection. He was fine. Hopefully someone who has an induction will be able to come along and reassure you in case thats what ends up happening.Have a look at the NICE guidleines (think thats what they are called). I seem to remember looking up what they advise in terms of how long to wait after waters break.

SLightly aside but you mentioned the epidural. If its any help I had an epi with DD. I couldnt move either but all was fine. In fact it was rather nice being able to sit and read a magazine mid contraction! I had a bit of syntocin to keep contractions going but no other intervention. So even if you end up needing a bit of help it doesnt necessarilly turn into a full on medicalised birth and you can still have a good experience. Having done an epidural with DD and a very quick but natural birth with DS I can honestly say they were both good births and have no regrets about either. You get what you egt on the day I am afraid

[whinegums]

Thanks TPL and micegg. NICE guidelines say upto 96 hours I think - even I feel that's a bit too long!

Anyway, I'm going to try and sleep for a couple of hours now after being up half the night.

[ilovemydog]

I thought the head could engage at any time before the baby is born?

Don't worry - sounds like everything is progressing like it should

Good luck....

[isaidno]

My waters broke 25 hours before my contractions started. I was told induction was only started after 96 hours - but I wasn't overdue.

Apparently 85% of women go into spontaneous labour within 24 hrs of waters breaking.

I'm sure you can insist on delaying induction as long as monitoring shows baby is fine. They should start you on antibiotics to minimise chances of infection.

My baby is 18 days old now and fine!

[Beeper]

hm i would be careful as my waters broke and the head was not engaged and i ended up with a prolapse cord and a crash section.

[magicfarawaytree]

my dd was not engaged 3 days before I went into labour. I was booked to have a review on monday term+10. about midnight ish on sunday waters broke - went to hospital no contactions. quiet night so they let me stay. had had what I thought were braxton hick / contracts on an off but not painful for a couple of hours on saturday but then they stopped. had a bath at hospital and a sleep. 1pm I had just one massive contraction and an urge to push (still on 2cm dilated!)- caused me to bring back up the mcdonalds (always get a craving for them when I am in labour) I had just had! then nothing until 6 pm when then contaction came from nowhere. rushed to labour suite, husband dragging mobile gas and air canister) contractions stopped again and then dd1 born like a rocket at 7pm. All my labours have been exactly the same no established labour then baby comes like a bat out of hell. when dd two born 15 minutes before I was asleep! hopefully will be the same for you. fingers crossed you wont need intervention.

[whinegums]

Hi again, and thanks for more postings. Feeling a bit better and more positive now - had a sleep this afternoon and that helped. Bouncing on ball and watching tennis, contractions started up again, but irregular. Magicfarawaytree, your labours sound great!

isaidno, congratulations on your baby.

[ilovemydog]

you must find something else to watch that has balls bouncing around to keep you occupied on that birthng ball!!

You're on the home stretch....

[idontbelieveit]

i was induced and it was pretty bad. i'd wait at least 48 hours if everything seems ok with you and baby.
Good luck

[eekamoose]

I would err on the side of caution too. Am not going to scare you with my experience but it was not good. The risk of infection is extremely serious. You may feel well, you may still feel the baby kicking. But it is very very risky to wait too long.

[whinegums]

Hi all, Baby Whinegums arrived 6.30pm Monday evening after induction - not too bad, full story on p26 of June 08 antenatal thread if anyone is interested - 33k, sounds like I had a VERY similar experience to you. Gas & air marvellous stuff isn't it?????