In labour - need urgent advice!

[Ineedadvicee]

Well.. kinda in labour, kinda not!

Waters broke 27 hours ago, arrived at the hospital shortly after they broke but contractions failed to start. The hospital said that if nothing happens in 24 hours (24 hours after works breaking), they will start the oxytocin drip to get things moving. Apparently they can only allow 24 hours as you are more prone to infection once waters have gone.

Problem is… the 24 hours are up but there are no beds on labour ward so they want to take me in for a c section. I’m gutted because I haven’t even been given the chance to try for a vaginal birth… of course I need to follow their advice but it seems so unfair that the reason for the c section is purely down to lack of beds, not because of anything medical?

I don’t know what to do…

Go with the medical advice and have the section. Many countries in the world would have done the section as it’s been over 24hrs the risk starts to increase…

Very similar experience for me. After 17 hours home birth I was put on the drip. Absolute agony compared to normal labour pains pre drip. And it didn’t work. Ended up with an emergency c section, the exact opposite of the home water birth I planned. But had I known what the drip would be like I would have opted to go straight for the c section.

I understand your disappointment op but sitting here, 18 years on, it really didn’t matter how dd got here, just that she was safe and loved.

I would go for the section and get your little one here without risking induction which will very likely end in an emergency c section anyway after this long.

whatever you choose, wishing you well and wishing your little one a safe arrival.

As a midwife I'm gobsmacked they're not suggesting antibiotics and looking to transfer you to another hospital. We don't have your medical history or that of your baby's but operational pressures are not a good enough reason (alone) to suggest a c section.

Probably too late now but Just commenting as I had something very similar.
waters broke and labour didn’t start, went into hospital for monitoring and got told there and then I either needed to be induced or have a c section. I refused and went home and went into labour that night, 22 hours after waters went.

the midwives couldn’t tell me the “increased risk” and when you actually research the stats, the increased risk isn’t that high.

if nothing has happened yet, focus your time on relaxing, go for walks, sleep and have a bath

I’m a midwife and I agree . We would just do increased monitoring of your obs and baby’s heartrate until a bed becomes available on Labour ward. Never heard of a lscs being offered at this point purely because of the bed situation.

With the best will in the world, I know about being disappointed because things didn't go to plan, but I had a c section after planning to have a natural birth. My waters didn't break, but I had pre eclampsia and they needed baby out, and I refused an induction because I didn't want an emergency c section (which is what would have happened if I'd gone into labour, because my baby would have got stuck. I didn't know that at the time though!) You and your baby's health are the most important things here, and having a c section sooner rather than later is better for both of you. One of my friends had a emergency c section when her first son was born and they had to give her a general anesthetic.

Nice guidelines if helpful

Prelabour rupture of membrane at term
1.2.13
Offer women with prelabour rupture of membranes at term (at or after 37+0 weeks) a choice of:
expectant management for up to 24 hours, or
induction of labour as soon as possible.

Discuss the benefits and risks of these options with the woman, and take into account her individual circumstances and preferences. [2008, amended 2021]
1.2.14
For women who choose expectant management after prelabour rupture of the membranes at term (at or after 37+0 weeks), offer induction of labour if labour has not started naturally after approximately 24 hours. See the NICE guideline on intrapartum care. [2008, amended 2021]
1.2.15
Respect the woman's decision if she chooses to wait for spontaneous onset of labour for over 24 hours after prelabour rupture of membranes at term. Discuss the woman's options for birth from this point onwards with her. [2021]

Wow, what a rubbish situation! I hope your baby gets here quickly and safely x

Absolutely not life long scar major surgery 6weeks no driving they can find a bed or call next hospitals to take you that’s disgusting they are saying that.

Unlikely? I don't think so, especially if her induction is simply due to her waters breaking ie baby not in distress.
C section is more likely following induction, but a vaginal birth is still more likely.
Yes, C sections are great and recovery can be smooth, but if OP has no indications that a vaginal birth would be problematic it must surely be the better option (easier recovery, preferable for baby).
I'd have done whatever I could to avoid a c section in OP's position.

But this isn't the OP's situation at all. She is a good candidate for induction, the only thing stopping this is lack of beds.

That's crazy, I would refuse and get moving, moving, moving to try and get labour to start naturally. Dd was born 6 years ago but my waters went on the Friday morning but nothing else happened, I was told they would induce Tuesday morning if nothing had happened by then due to infection so 4 days later, contractions started the Sunday night.

She means that she’s not allowed to recommend it to you - not that you can’t choose it. It’s a hospital not a prison. From what you say you and baby are currently well so you can, if you want, get in a car and drive to wherever the next closest unit is. Take your notes.

My waters were broken for 5 days before anything happened-was on antibiotics and scanned daily.
completely agree with above-say that you would like it put in your notes that they want you to have major surgery for a non medical reason, that it’s just because they don’t have a bed.

Are you insane? That's major surgery that has months of recovery. Jumping to surgery because they don't have a bed on the floor is horrible.

Months of recovery is a bit of an overstatement PP!

hoping that the lack of response from the op means she’s gone on to have her baby one way or the other.

This is completely unacceptable. My waters always broke way in advance of birth, but I didn't have any internal examinations, so risk of infection was minimal. I took vitamin C and the midwife monitored temperature and everything.

You may be labouring quietly. I didn't feel like I was in labour after my waters broke, but it was happening. I only felt the very last contractions.

I can't say what you should do because your own situation is different and has own unique considerations. I hope they do find you a bed soon though.

Hope, whatever happens (and what is available) that all goes incredibly well and you and the baby are all good!

It’s 72 hours.

I had this with my third (notorious for stop
/ start labours). After 72 hours and still no contractions I agreed to the pessary… she came 8 minutes later. Really!!

I would stand your ground. Allow them to keep monitoring you but refuse a section without first trying the induction.

OP I have had two babies where my waters broke with no sign of labour. With each one of them I walked up and down the hospital corridors for hours and eventually both labours started themselves. It’s definitely worth giving it a good try while you’re waiting. With one of mine I had no contractions when I started walking at 8pm and by 9.30 I was fully dilated (it was baby number 4 though tbh 🤣) Good luck.

I’d also counter that major abdominal surgery only because they don’t currently have a bed is not a valid option either.

I’m sorry that happened to you, but I don’t think it’s relevant to OP’s current situation . She is being pushed towards major abdominal surgery due to the hospital’s logistics and not the health of her and her baby.

Surely ‘no beds’ is not a justification for surgery. This is insanity

6 hours since @Ineedadvicee posted. I hope one way or another her baby is here & they are both well 💕

Have you said how many weeks you are?