Being induced when already 3cm, could I still have a waterbirth?

[Archip17]

Last Friday I had a sweep and was told I was 3cm dilated. Unfortunately this didn't kick start labour and I'm heading towards induction on Thursday.

However, because I'm already 3cm, could they just break my waters and would I then be able to still try and have waterbirth?

I understand that if contractions don't start I will have to have the syntocinon drip, but I would really like to avoid that if possible.

Any advice appreciated. This is my first baby and I'm feeling really low about baby not being here yet (I'm 40+10 today) and having to be induced (I can't help feeling like I've failed - ridiculous I know, but my hormones have been going crazy these past few days).

i was in the same situation with dd2.

I think the policy varies in different hospitals. I would have been allowed in the pool with ARM. check with your mw/labour ward.

have you been offered a 2nd sweep? I had my 2nd sweep at 3cm and had dd early hours of the following morning. I was due to be induced that day (40+13)

Thanks mumatron, I will check. It doesn't seem to be their policy to offer a second sweep, but I could ask on Thursday.

It would be fair enough to try and exhaust other options (sweeps, water breaking etc) before going on a drip, I think. But they are unlikely to allow you in the pool if they break your waters.

I'm guessing you're already trying everything to get labour started?

You have my sympathies, going overdue is awful.

You don't have to be induced just for being overdue.

Normal pregnancy lasts until 40+14 not 40+10 so you're not overdue anyway yet, and if you don't want to accept the offerof induction, that should be respected by the MW and consultant and you should be offered expectant management as per NICE guidelines.

I discussed this with my midwife yesterday, and if all they have to do to start you off is break your waters (and I'd say at 3cms already that may be all you need) then birth pool is still fine. I feel really positive after my visit to the birth unit yesterday, its completely reinforced my desire for a waterbirth. Call your midwife and ask her to clarify, but I think as long as your waters are clear there'd be no problem.

Grr, that's really annoying fuckity - I had my waters broken and from then on it was full on monitoring and no chance of using the pool. Wish they would have been more like your midwife!

I would definitely ask for a second sweep. I had 2 and I think it was the second that pushed my over the edge from niggling to full labour.

good luck.

I had been worried as both my labour started with my waters going, but she assured me that waters didn't have to be intact to use the pool and that the first thing they'd try as far as induction went (though she did say it was more likely to work as I've given birth before) is simply to break my waters. Am very much not keen to be chemically induced of I go overdue

Hi, dc2 is a week old. I was 40+13 when they summoned me for an induction. Freaked me right out as really didn't want one. I'd had a couple of sweeps and was already 3-4 cm. all they did was break my waters, contractions started immediately, I got in the pool and an hour later dc2 was born. It was as close to my ideal birth as possible.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone.

Fliss, you're right, it's just that I put so much in my due date (as does everyone else who now wants to know 'have you still not had that baby yet?' Grrrr) plus I am so uncomfortable that I feel very overdue! I think I will go in on Thursday and see what my options are and then make a decision.

Mamarara if I can have anything close to your experience I will be so happy.

Either way you've all helped me feel much more positive. I spent most of yesterday in tears, but feel much better now. Whatever happens it's not that much longer till baby is here.

Research has shown that 3 sweeps on 3 consecutive days are more effective - I had that with DS2, starting at 42 weeks (then 42+1, 42+2) He might have arrived anyway, but I do think the sweeps helped.

You can refuse induction and ask to just be monitored, although our hospital has a policy that you're pregnancy must be totally perfect to use the pool and that includes not going overdue.

you should ask for a 2nd sweep of they don't offer one.

I went to 40+15 - i had a sweep on 40+14 and was found to be 3cm then.
contractions started the following day.

Archip, that's why this time I've added 10 days on to my EDD and told people that they've not done the maths to work out the date I've given doesn't match my 'weeks' yet I still expect to go past that anyway

Crunchy I don't suppose you have a link to that research do you? I'd like it in my back pocket later in pregnancy :o

I shall google, read it in 2008 but used it in my arguments!