Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Flip

Original poster

Waters breaking as first sign of labour - will this happen again next time...?

25 replies

emsyj · 26/12/2012 23:11

I'm 34+3 with DC2 and just curious as to what the likelihood is that I will have waters breaking as my first labour sign this time, after this happening last time. My DMum had this happen with both of her labours, and so I wonder if it's something that is particular to the pregnancy or to the woman (if that makes sense...)

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

BikeRunSki · 26/12/2012 23:13

Happened to me both times.

PoppyWearer · 26/12/2012 23:15

My waters didn't break either time!

MyLastDuchess · 26/12/2012 23:15

Happened to me the second time but not the first (both labours around 41 weeks). I would say that it's unpredictable.

puffylovett · 26/12/2012 23:15

Who knows. It happened with my first, but my second my waters went just before he crowned...

JugglingChaotically · 26/12/2012 23:16

Happened to me with DD1, not DD2 and DD3 had to be induced as late.

MoppingMummy · 26/12/2012 23:26

Happened to me with dd1 at 38 wks.

With Ds (39wks) started with pains at 6pm, waters broke at 7, pains intensified & he was born at 8.30pm at home (planned)

Dd2 was very similar to Ds. Began with very mild tightenings throughout day. Waters broke suddenly & dd2 was born a couple of hrs later at home too.

Original poster

emsyj · 27/12/2012 10:26

I was hoping for a unanimous 'it happened second time too' - at least then I'd get a bit of warning labour was on its way! Oh well, we'll have to see I guess. Thanks for all the replies.

OP posts:

RooneyMara · 27/12/2012 14:52

Same here as Puffy. They went properly before ctx started with my first, then with my second I had 3 hours of ctx before they went, as I was pushing.

So not necessarily. But you will know, probably, when things kick off - I had regular ctx from the start with ds2, every 5 then 3 minutes very quickly.

I knew it was proper within about 20 minutes.

Original poster

emsyj · 27/12/2012 18:38

Hmmm.... I had a gap of probably 2-3 hours between waters breaking and onset of contractions last time, and that would be very convenient this time around as my labour was pretty fast and DH works 1.5 hours away.

Oh well, worst case scenario I give birth without DH there - I will get over it. Worse things happen at sea! He was a bit useless last time anyway, and found it quite stressful. Maybe it's better if it's just me and the midwife!!! Fortunately I have a lovely neighbour who will take DD when it happens.

OP posts:

Sarahplane · 27/12/2012 18:55

It happened with my mum both times and happened with my first but not my second. First labour was a lot faster than second as well.

Sarahplane · 27/12/2012 19:01

my first my waters broke then I had contractions evety 3 minutes and dd wss born within 4 hours. my second I had a slow build up for about eight hours broke and then contractiond suddenly got a lot stronger and were every two minutes as soon as my waters broke and ds wss born within three hours of waters going. so if you have a slow build up instead then your dh could still have time to get back.

redandwhitesprinkles · 27/12/2012 19:31

Waters went at 37 weeks first time-had to be induced. Second time no waters broken when I had emergency section at 7cms dilated, at 41+1.

howiwonder · 27/12/2012 19:36

Happened in full on labour with ds1, probably 2 or 3 hrs before he was born. Ds2 never happened, he was born in his bag!

aprilrain · 27/12/2012 19:42

Totally unpredictable I'd say. With DC1 my waters went while in pushing stage of labour. With DC2 they went 2 days before I went into labour.

Original poster

emsyj · 27/12/2012 20:30

Ah, interesting Sarahplane - I did wonder whether part of the speed of DD's labour was down to the fact that my waters had already gone. Maybe it will be slower this time if the waters don't go? I have only been hearing 'second is faster' stories so I had been steeling myself for a full-on 2 hour labour this time, but would honestly probably prefer an initial slow burn (time to get used to the idea perhaps??)

OP posts:

nextphase · 27/12/2012 20:40

hmmmm, waters before contractions for both labours here.
DS1, 6 hr gap before contractions started, and then 10 hrs of contractions, baby born.
DS2, 1 hr from waters to first contraction, 2.5 hrs of contractions before birth. I rang my Mum after the first contraction (at 4am), and she got straight on the M1 to come and look after DS1. She arrived at the same time as DS2 and the paramedics......
Hope your DH get there in time.

MoppingMummy · 27/12/2012 21:19

My first labour sounds similar to your first with the couple of hrs between waters breaking & contractions starting & then baby born quickly after that.

2nd & 3rd began with mild tightenings so i had enough time to let dh know & for him to get home before waters broke & everything went quick after that.

Rikalaily · 27/12/2012 21:23

Only happened with my first (of 4) and he was early at 35 weeks, contractions started within the hour. The others all went to term and waters broke close to pushing or while pushing.

MrsDeterminedandSpecialMum · 27/12/2012 21:29

Didn't happen with DD1 she was born in her waters.

DD2 they broke and had to be induced as didn't go into labour on my own!

Whatiswitnit · 27/12/2012 21:52

I think it's random. My mum's waters broke first when she had me (PFB ) but not until the pushing stage with my sister.

I had my waters artificially ruptured as part of induction first time but they went spontaneously before any contractions second time.

MoonHare · 27/12/2012 22:10

DC1 waters went as first sign, conractions started about an hour later, total labour time from waters going 10.5 hours.

DC2 waters went during 2nd stage, which only lasted 8 mins, total labour time 6 hours (so not the case that waters breaking at end slow things down).

DC3 waters went as first sign, contractions started about half an hour later, total labour time 4 hours.

I suppose it's not really predictable but I always had a strong sense that my third labour would start with my waters breaking and I was right.

cassell · 27/12/2012 22:20

Both times I've had part of the waters go as first sign without any contractions and then second part of the waters go just before crowning.

Ds1 the gap was 24hrs between waters/start of contractions and labour was 2.5hrs

Ds2 gap was 4 hours between waters/contractions and labour was 45mins

Was v grateful for the sign with ds2 as meant I could get my friend round to look after ds1 otherwise ds2 would have been an emergency home birth (was almost born in the car as it was).

Hassled · 27/12/2012 22:22

50% of my 4 labours started with the waters breaking. With the other two, waters were broken manually in hospital. So no, I don't think there's a pattern.

LemonBreeland · 27/12/2012 22:22

It happened to me first time but not second or third.

TwistTee · 29/12/2012 22:38

This time I had 3 contractions in the 20mins before my waters broke, the last time it was my first sign.

Flip