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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Midwife accidentally broke waters

77 replies

Shortninbread · 08/12/2016 15:08

Anyone have experience of this? Had a first sweep for DC3 at 40+6, mainly out of curiosity to see if any progress. She used quite a lot of force as my cervix was still high and broke my waters by accident.

Only hind waters apparently and hardly any leakage since a long walk and being at home.

A bit shocked and upset as I want to minimise interventions and now there is talk of antibiotics and induction within the next 24 hours.

OP posts:

EweAreHere · 08/12/2016 15:57

Happens. Frankly, I think you should move past it and focus on the likelihood that your baby is coming soon. Good luck to you and your family.

Trifleorbust · 08/12/2016 15:59

No need to be harsh, folks. OP, I have just seen my midwife and she discussed the risks of a sweep with me (I asked) and one of them is that she could break my waters. I think this is just a possible consequence. Good luck with your birth!

Trifleorbust · 08/12/2016 16:00

Not sure how I managed to post twice!

MacNcheese87 · 08/12/2016 16:07

Lots of people need to get off their high horse and stop picking on things to berate OP about.

I had a sweep with my last pregnancy, I wanted to minimise interventions too (clue: MINIMISE, not outright ban) and I went into labour the next morning. Never had the waters broken though, I can imagine it's awful the prospect of having to be induced when you have hoped and planned for a natural birth.

Good luck OP, if you have to be induced, I hope it goes well. You'll have your little one in your arms very soon!

bigbuttons · 08/12/2016 16:08

I'd do some vigorous walking op, see if you can get the waters to break fully.
I disagree with the op being close to induction anyway. You don't have to be induced you know. I went 3 weeks over with three of mine, I refused induction.

londonrach · 08/12/2016 16:10

Agree with big buttons...i walked and walked around that hospital. Good luck op. New baby soon maybe tonight or tomorrow!

gluteustothemaximus · 08/12/2016 16:10

Yes, bit harsh some of these posts!!

OP, I hope you're ok. I would be upset too, that's understandable.

You don't have to have an induction.

If you decide against induction, you'll need to:

Have your baby's heart rate and movements checked by a midwife or doctor every 24 hours until you go into labour, or have your labour induced.
Check your temperature every four hours.
Check for changes in the colour and smell of the amniotic fluid (waters), as you’re likely to continue to lose fluid.
Check that your baby is moving as usual.

Best to discuss everything with your midwife. As always, we learn as we go with our pregnancies/labours and there's TONNES of stuff I'd do different with my 3 pregnancies/labours.

Good luck OP, you're nearly there. Hope everything goes well x

flumpybear · 08/12/2016 16:11

Perhaps the waters were literally in the verge of breaking or even broken and the disturbance make them leak - either way 40+6 I'd be hammering the door if the hospital by now lol

baconandeggies · 08/12/2016 16:21

She should not have used a lot of force, but the chance of breaking the waters prematurely and increasing the risk of infection should have been discussed with you (it often isn't) as possible downsides to a sweep.

alotlikeChristmas16 · 08/12/2016 16:26

it wasn't mentioned to me when I had 3 sweeps that did nothing, was then induced and had waters broken too. Good luck Op, your baby will be here soon and that's the good news!

TurquoiseDress · 08/12/2016 17:00

OP
With respect, having a sweep is an intervention...designed to maybe get things moving.

Please don't blame the midwife- if you consented to the sweep, she was just getting on with her job.

What did you think the sweep was for? Did they talk through the possible outcomes?

Trifleorbust · 08/12/2016 17:06

Of course a sweep is an intervention but, in fairness to the OP, it sounds like to her 'intervention' is shorthand for induction and so on. Does it matter what word she used? She is disappointed.

MacNcheese87 · 08/12/2016 17:17

OP wanted to MINIMISE interventions. If you're going to pick out specific words used, at least read them all.

I'd go for a sweep if I was overdue (I did) but I'd also refuse an induction if overdue (again, I did).

I have to say the risks weren't explained to me the when the sweep was performed. At least not about waters accidentally being broken. I was just happy to try and get things moving in the hope I'd avoid being pressured into an induction I didn't really need. I'm sure it's not the midwife's fault personally, it sounds like just one of those things, but it probably should be clearly stated before each sweep.

Hope all is well OP. Keep walking! Bounce on a Swiss ball, stay active. Hopefully that will move things along.

mortificado · 08/12/2016 17:19

You me of the risks from a sweep is broken waters. I was made aware of this before I had my sweeps

FrankAndBeans · 08/12/2016 17:49

Hopefully this has sent you into labour OP

crashdoll · 08/12/2016 18:05

People are being a bit unfair. It was fairly obvious what the OP meant. I understand why you are upset. Hope you have a lovely snuggly little one soon. :)

Original poster

Shortninbread · 08/12/2016 19:26

Thanks so much to those who positively messaged.

She did use a lot of force, more than I'd ever experienced on sweeps for previous and never explained waters risk. But I agree, I need to move past that now. So I'm not going to hold any hostility or worry about it.

Seems it is just hind waters, so no further leakage at all today. I think I will monitor for as long as safe - thanks again for the tips on that - and then will see.

OP posts:

lilydaisyrose · 09/12/2016 05:22

How are you doing OP? Are they keen to induce or just leaving you be just now?

Original poster

Shortninbread · 09/12/2016 07:29

Still within 24 hours since it happened, lilydaisy, so I have to call the labour ward this morning to see what they advise and if they have a bed.

Mild contractions last night but all stopped now. Thinking I may go down induction route now as I'm worried about risk of infection.

OP posts:

NiceFalafels · 09/12/2016 07:37

This happened to me and I had to have IV antibiotics. Changed the birth completely as i had to be induced using a drip. So no moving around or or water birth.

NiceFalafels · 09/12/2016 07:38

Can you ask for a pessarie induction

DucksSake · 09/12/2016 07:42

Sounds strange and you might not want to but half a glass of white wine and my contractions started.
Small glass of wine, warm bath, candles, as relaxed as possible.
Worked for me and my mum and I've since spoken to other who said after trying to force baby out with hot currys, sex, long walks etc the total relaxation worked !

DoItTooJulia · 09/12/2016 07:45

I would say those water were ready to go. Try not to worry (ha!) and save your energy for giving birth-one things for sure: it really won't be long now.

FrankAndBeans · 09/12/2016 07:47

Stay positive OP. Both of my inductions I had one peasary and went into labour from it. No drip, no synthetic hormones and four hour long horror stories. Don't give up, you can still be natural during induction

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