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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Did you have your waters broken?

34 replies

Sparrowlegs248 · 03/02/2017 08:32

40+1 today, prev elcs, vbac hoped for but c section booked for Monday. Two sweeps so far (turmesday and yesterday) and was a 'stretchy 2-3 cm' yesterday with thinned cervix.

Obviously anything could happen before Monday but if nothing does I go in either for c section or to have waters broken.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me re having waters broken at 40+4? Did it work for you? How long before things started happening?

Thanks!

OP posts:
Lamaitresse · 03/02/2017 12:33

Hi Notta, I've had my waters broken twice. The first time was when labour slowed down and they'd given me oxytocin (I think!) to speed it up. Second time was when dd was in distress & they needed her out - both times my contractions immediately ramped up and in my un-induced labour dd was born maybe 3 hours after they were broken.
However, I was in labour already both times, so no idea what would've happened if I haven't been! Good luck whatever happens!!

babynelly2010 · 03/02/2017 14:17

I had it for the 1st baby, I was in labour for almost 2 days. They broke it, they went, baby was born 20-30 minutes later.

Rumblemumble · 03/02/2017 15:59

I had mine broken at induction at 41+5, contractions started less than a minute later!

FraterculaArctica · 03/02/2017 16:08

I did after 36 hours of labour and things didn't go well (though outcome all good) - I won't post details unless you want, but it might be useful to know that like all labour interventions there can be freak complications.

I've read some of your threads but haven't posted as I'm not sure it's relevant - but the second time I went for a VBAC and had all the good luck I'd missed out on first time round, baby born after 50 mins of labour and about 10 contractions! So difficult to know what to do in advance though, you need a crystal ball! Thinking of you x

strawberrypenguin · 03/02/2017 16:14

I've had my waters broken twice both times an induced labour. First time they broke to get labour going and it worked a treat - contractions within about 10 minutes. Second time I'd been in labour with strong contractions for hours with no urge to push so they broke my waters. Got the urge instantly and baby born with half an hour

icebearforpresident · 03/02/2017 16:23

Had mine broken with my second as her heart rate was very fast and they were worried about merconium. Everything was fine and she arrived 75 minutes and 3 pushes later.

Dunebuggy · 03/02/2017 16:31

Had mine broken for all 3 - it doesn't hurt, just a bit uncomfortable. No worse than the examinations really. The contractions definitely ramped up after all of them though! DC1 was born about 4 hours later, DC2 just over an hour and DC3 about 2 minutes! It can help move things forward but it definitely increases the pain/ frequency so bear that in mind. Good luck!

terrylene · 03/02/2017 16:46

I had mine broken when I was in labour with twins. God alone knows why (although I am not sure he does either - only the Registrar, who was in bed). But the very junior fumbly doctor what did it said that she said had to be done if I was over 4cm. Confused

I was having contractions every 3 minutes from the start, and the contractions got a bit stronger, but not that much different and I had DD1 half an hour later when the were not ready Hmm . Thankfully, got off the loo first Grin.

Original poster
Sparrowlegs248 · 03/02/2017 19:37

frat as you can tell I'm fretting somewhat if you've read my posts. With your bad experience, we're your waters broken before you went into labour? If so, yes please tell. That's the situation I'm facing, seems mostly people have them broken once labour has started/stalled.

strawberry wow ten minutes! I was thinking send husband away til things get going but maybe not!

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Original poster
Sparrowlegs248 · 03/02/2017 19:38

Sorry frat I just read again and realise you'd been in labour 36 hrs already.

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FraterculaArctica · 03/02/2017 19:59

I went into labour spontaneously with DC1 (at 41+2) and got to 5 cm, so different to your situation. The VBAC clinic did ask me to think about whether I'd go for induction or ELCS if I went overdue with DC2. They told me I should expect to go overdue and I was expecting another long and difficult labour - DD had other ideas, waters went at 35+1 and she was born super quickly the following day! I was really glad I hadn't over planned and left decisions till nearer the time, as actually you don't have that much control (I think, anyway) and it would've wasted a lot of emotional energy. But that's with the benefit of hindsight.

Sardines18 · 03/02/2017 21:10

I had my waters broken to induce labour. I was supposed to then go onto the drip but I asked to wait and see if my contractions would start which they did but not properly until 2 hours later. I was then in labour for 5 hours after that.
It worked really well for me as I was relieved to not need the drip but I have nothing to compare it to in terms of the strength of the contractions as it was my first labour.
Like Dunebuggy said it was no different really to having an examination.

MumOfTwoMasterOfNone · 03/02/2017 21:13

Had it done at 40+3, nothing happened so went on drip and had a 20 hour labour.

Had it done at 39+3 and it brought on very strong contractions very quickly and baby born 5/6 hours later.

It works but probably only if Baby is ready to come.

ricepolo · 03/02/2017 21:24

Bear in mind that once your waters have gone I believe then if labour then lasts more than 24hrs you won't be allowed a water birth and will be on an antibiotic drip (infection risk). That happened with DC1: waters went spontaneously but I didn't manage to establish labour on my own so after 24hrs I was on an antibiotic drip plus an induction drip.

With both DC2 and DC3 however my waters were broken for me, both times at about 4-5cm, both times to try (successfully) to avoid any other interventions. Both times doing this really ramped labour up a gear and got me to 10cm. Personally I'd have a different form of induction (pessary if possible-lowest level!) and save breaking your waters for when it's really needed, like a trump card. If you play it too soon then you may be forced to go onto the drip etc at a later stage, which you want to avoid if possible (contractions are much worse on a drip than with other forms of being induced I think).

Original poster
Sparrowlegs248 · 03/02/2017 22:02

Thanks all. I won't be given the pessary as cervix already thinned and 2-3cm, and I won't be having the drip as I had a previous c section. So if labour doesn't occur spontaneously it will be waters broken then c section if doesn't progress.

C section is already booked for Monday, but was told yesterday I can try the waters being broken first.

OP posts:
trilottie · 03/02/2017 22:02

No advice @nottalotta but thinking of you, fingers crossed for you this weekend.

Original poster
Sparrowlegs248 · 03/02/2017 22:03

Thanks trilottie weren't you hoping for a vbac? I can't remember.....

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bobbis · 03/02/2017 22:06

Contractions for 28 hours, waters broken, things finally sped up a bit and he arrived 3 hours later. I was 40+4 when he was born

trilottie · 04/02/2017 16:42

Yes @nottalotta. Due on Wednesday (their date) Going to consultant on Thursday, they'll give me a week then break waters if nothing happened, if possible. Any news today?

Original poster
Sparrowlegs248 · 04/02/2017 16:51

Nothing!! Been for a long walk, suffering with hip pain now. Argh! Hope things get moving for you soon. But not before me

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TeteDeMerde · 04/02/2017 18:12

Hi Notta,
I was 40+4 and had my waters broken (near the end of labour though). Didn't feel anything really, labour progressed V. quickly after that (in fact dd was born immediately. Was very positive for me.

greathat · 04/02/2017 18:16

I had mind broken to "induce" labour. They didn't believe me when I said o was having contractions as machine wasn't picking anything up. It didn't first time either. But they still didn't believe me. He came fast!

chocolatepudandchocolatesauce · 04/02/2017 18:38

I had mine broken to "induce" labour too as baby was being lazy and not moving so much. He was born three hours and 20 minutes later. Second baby so was already 1 or 2cm dilated before the waters were popped. Sweep the day previously hadn't done anything. To be fair to the person saying you won't be allowed a water birth if water broken longer for 24hours without progress - I couldn't have cared less where the baby was born at that point, just wanted him out (as we all know labour isn't exactly pain free!!).

Original poster
Sparrowlegs248 · 04/02/2017 20:03

Oh thats more promising! I have given up.on spontaneous labour and just planning for Monday.

If anything does happen before then it would be nice!

I won't be allowed a water birth anyway.

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ACatCalledFang · 04/02/2017 22:30

I had mine broken to induce labour, after pessary got me to 1.5 cm. Having them broken had no effect whatsoever! Ended up on a drip and subsequently with EMCS after 9 hrs of drip got me to - wait for it - 2 cm Hmm. So it doesn't have to be painful....