Waters just broken - do I still have to have induction today or can I wait?

[toomuchribbon]

So sorry to start another thread today. I am 42 weeks today (Wed) with DC1 and due to go in for induction during the day today.

However, my waters have just broken - was just falling asleep, felt a pop followed by a gush. Quite excited! I called the midwife helpline at my hospital (UCLH) who has said to come in within the next hour to confirm that the waters had broken despite there being no problems with it. I have surges of cramps but nothing unbearable; the waters were clear with a tiny hint of pink at the end.
This seems more cautious than I expected but am happy to do this and preparing to go now.
She then said that as I was going to be induced I would still have to be - she wouldn't be drawn on when this would need to happen i.e. after 12 hours of no contractions, for instance. I know they don't like you to go over 24 hours after waters have broken but, barring that and any complication in the meantime I can't see why I can't wait until then - or is there some other contraindication I am missing?

Not sure toomuchribbon, hopefully one of the other posters will be able to help!

Best of luck today :)

No you dont have to be induced.

You can go.in to check all.is well.if you want to. But otherwise stay home, try and rest and fingers crossed it all.gets going soon!

Oh do of course go and get checked if you have any concerns re babys movements etc.

Good luck! Yes, Unless you go into labour soon they will need to induce.

Oh wait, are you asking if you go in to hospital now will they induce you?

No, they won't. Unless there is a complication ie meconium leak, etc otherwise they'll wait anywhere between 24-72 hours before sticking you on the hormone drip.

Thank you so much plinky, 5mad and bear... Sorry for lack of bold, typing on phone.

5mad, the midwife implied it was urgent for them to check waters realt have broken - I should have queried her more but was in slight state of surprise! I realise you can't advise medically but in your opinion/experience is there less of a rush than she implied?
Baby has been continually active all evening and last felt him about ten minutes before it happened.

Bear, do you know what the window between the waters going and the induction might be, if not the standard 24 hours?
Am hoping if induction is necessary that I can have the gel/pessary and not the drip.

I would try and wait it out, they can always monitor you for the 24-72 hours if they are worried and I think a normal labour would be a lot less stressful than the drip.

How exciting! Both my labours started with waters first. My hospital's policy is they want you in and on a ward after 36 hours but they're all different and just because it's hospital policy doesn't mean not doing it will cause bad things to happen.

They can't make you have an induction even if nothing was happening but obviously you need to weigh up the risks and you can ask the midwife exactly what those risks are. If you are showing signs of being in early labour you could ask they wait and see but also ask what are the risks of not inducing.

I am.not about them.checking, if you are certain they have gone and there was no meconium then that should be fine.

They will want to moniter the baby etc. I know at my hospital they dont want you straight in they say to wait and see if contractions start. If they havent after 12 hrs you go and get checked, then sent home for another 12 hrs. They like to induve after 24hrs but you can hold out longet providing baby is fine and you dont have a temp.

I would maybe go in get checked, cancel.the induction which is booked for in the morning? and see how you go. As long as you have no concerns re baby.

You may have to be firm with them re induction timescale.

It's urgent as they need to monitor you and check on baby plus ensure waters are "clean" ie no blood or meconium, etc.

Sorry to say window will depend on your body and when it's ready.

Sorry not being clear - need to sleep. My post is only explaining why they see it as urgent, not trying to scare you.

I am assuming you are bookec in as you are overdue at 14days over? You dont have to be induced then anyway, you could have asked for exoectant management. Now your waters have broken they will want to get things going but you shoukd be given a minimum of 24hrs providing baby is fine and you can ask/insist on longer. Ask their policy and why etc.

Fingers crossed you will go into.labour in the next 24hrs and it wont be an issue.

Btw if you do end up with the drip it can be ok, i insisted on still using birth ball, kneeling up etc. Had a lot if gas and aur but normal active labour. Makes it trickier to moniter baby but they can do it!

Good luck xx

Personally I'd stay firmly put.

I made the mistake of going in to the hospital in the same situation and spent the best part if 24 hrs in labour in the dullest hospital on the planet.

Hospital corridors and cafe's get very very dull, home is the place for early labour.

They just left me to it, I don't even know if they'd remembered I was due to be induced. DD was small for dates and low on fluid, so I was 39 weeks, not over due.

Anyway what ever you decide, good luck

See I'm useless now because i had my babies at home. Second time round they sent a community mw round to check things straight away. I was most bemused because first time they were massively uninterested and were happy to leave it hours.

Clear and a bit pinkish sounds spot on. I'd be tempted to go back to bed for some rest while you still can.

You know they keep gushing every so often don't you? Drink plenty of fluids and pop in a big pad. If you have incontinence pads even better. They make you get them in for a homebirth but they are perfect post birth and if you're waters are going.

I'm obviously no medic but I am a great patient

Agree with 5madthings, you can still have an active labour on the drip, just don't let them bully you.

V excited for you. Best of luck, now get some sleep you gave a busy week ahead!

The hospital was so dull that DD2 was born at home.

If your baby isn't engaged and your waters go then you become high risk (because of increased risk of cord prolapse) so they want you to stay in [voice of bitter experience]

(which is fair enough, to be honest, but very very very dull)

Right i am.off to bed, hope you get some rest and then labour kicks off. I shall come back to check for an update and birth announcement!! sadly excited at a live birth thread as i wont be having anymore