If you waters break, do you really have to ring the hospital?

[beartime]

All the midwives said if your waters break, ring. But I would be scared of having to be induced (I want a homebirth) and you supposedly can wait 96 hrs according to NICE guidelines before induction is strongly recommended. But if you ring them they will probably make you be induced after 24hrs.
So I was just thinking, if my waters break, do I really have to let them know, or is it safe to wait a day or two if I take my temperature etc. to make sure I'm not getting an infection, and wait and see if I go into labour naturally?

Hiya

My waters broke a few days after my due date, I went in to be checked over, they listened to babys heart beat, did my obs etc and said when did I want to be induced. I was back in 12 hours and dd was born after 3 hours.

The risk of infection increases when your waters go but that is not the only reason they ask you to go in, they also what to see how your baby is coping as some dont cope well and become distressed, there is also a risk of cord compression or prolapse etc etc so I would not always suggest that someone comes in to be checked You cannot be forced to have an induction against your will although again where I work they do now advise induction within 48 hours as they found that there had been an increase in babies being admitted to scbu after prolonged rupture of membranes

Wouldn't it depend on where you wanted to give birth? I don't think there is any way of knowing how soon baby will come after the waters have gone. Also, will you know if they were hind waters or not?

My 2nd child (but 1st labour) was born 3 and a half hours after my waters went, my next baby 10 minutes after my waters went.

If you're concerned about your powers of resistance wy don't you write it down now and attach to bith plan.

"if my waters break I do not wish to be induced unless there is an absolute danger to my baby, please do not try to bully me into an induction just to fit in with protocols, etc"

something like that???

If you're concerned about your powers of >resistance why don't you write it down now and >attach to birth plan.

"also hang a sign around your neck saying I DO NOT WANT TO BE INDUCED!!"

Seriously though if you are having a homebirth the midwife will be coming out to you, Do you trust your midwifes, are they keen for you to have a homebirth, do they know you want one? You should not be under as much pressure at home.