ARM with DC1......

[June2008]

If you had ARM with DC1 did you then have to have the same with DC2?

I have a week to go until my due date and am getting a bit paranoid about my waters going at an inconvenient (if thats the right word) moment!

I have no idea how likely it is that my waters will go without assistance!

Well, it really depends on your reason for the ARM doesn't it?

If you're induced that will be a factor.

If you requested it that will be a factor.

If the baby was born in the caul, that would be another reason for ARMing!

Sorry to side track, but please can someone explain to me why it would be preferable to ARM than allow a baby to be born in the caul? Its something I've seen come up a few times and I've never really understood why ARMing would be suggested in this instance. Thanks :)

Well, if the baby was born in the caul (completely covered with membranes) you'd want to give it a cuddle without the caul! I don't know why it would be preferable to rupture membranes prior to the actual birth, maybe a mw will be on in a minute to tell us why!

I had ARM last time due to not progressing....after two days of contractions and then a bleed. Not sure if that counts as an induction?? I certainly didn't request it and DD popped out fine in the end.

I guess it was just to speed up my labour, but it still went on for another 14 hrs, the last 12 of which I was on a drip.

Any other experiences like this?

Thanks

Yes, the obstetric consultant put it on my notes for my next labour (due in four weeks) to have an ARM because I had it last time due to similar reasons to yours, i.e. not progressing. It did speed mine up last time, and was only about 7 hours later-ish I think that he arrived.

However, I don't know if the chances are higher of it not happening spontaneously just because it didn't last time. Perhaps someone in the know will come along soon and tell us! I've had quite a lot of suggestion from medics this time that the labour should be much quicker, perhaps easier, and that my body will do things more efficiently, all because it's a second time. Who knows?! Good luck.