Waters have broken - induction/c-section

[Flamingo84]

My waters broke earlier this morning but I haven’t had any contractions or pain. The midwife said that if I don’t have any regular contractions by 6pm I’ll need to go in to be assessed and maybe induced.

I really don’t want to be induced. I have a chronic condition that impacts my energy levels so I’m worried that an induced labour will be longer, contractions stronger and may result in an EMCS anyway. I could labour for days, need the surgery and have a slow recovery due to the fatigue before labour (as well as a newborn!).

Do I have the option of requesting a c-section if things are going slowly and I’m struggling to maintain my energy levels?

I feel a bit clueless as my pregnancy so far has been textbook and I was planning on a water birth. Hadn’t really looked into the induction process.

I also have a chronic condition where fatigue is an issue (Multiple Sclerosis) and I actually booked in for an ELCS next week on this basis. I felt that based on probability, I'd have a harder labour than the average woman and that I might end up with an instrumental delivery / EMCS at the end of it, resulting in a 'double whammy' recovery which would be bad for my condition.

Personally I wouldn't fancy being induced and if fatigue is an issue for you I'd be inclined to ask for an ELCS

Good luck! X

Ps just to add, the consultant who I was under supported a natural birth if I wanted to try it, but agreed to a 'maternal request' section as my argument was balanced

I had a bit more time obviously to arrange all of this, but I am sure you can decline an induction and request an elective later today if things don't progress- just stick to your guns and be firm it really isn't up to anyone else x

I'm booked in for a c section due to being epileptic and sleep deprivation being a trigger for seizures (had one when I was in labour with my son). I think you could definitely ask for one.

Thank you @Gaia1984
That’s what I’ve been thinking. I don’t want to go through a long labour, deplete my energy stores and end up laid up for months.
The midwives at my hospital have been great so I’m hoping I’ll be able to talk it through when I get there.

My waters broke a few hours before my contractions started naturally, you might hopefully not have to worry about it!

I totally understand @Flamingo84 ... the chances are that induced or not you'll be probably be fine, but I can completely relate to not relishing the potential lack of control exacerbated by an induction... the consequences are bigger when you're dealing with other health concerns!

My understanding is you don't have to consent to any procedure you don't want and as long as you are well informed they should support you.

Hopefully it will all be a storm in a tea cup anyway and you'll get going naturally, good luck x

Thanks ladies, I’m hoping some contractions kick in soon!

This was my day to have a lie in too and my waters broke at 6.30am! Typical!

My waters went early and nothing happened. I was induced after 24 hours. They like to have baby out by 48 hours after waters going to keep the risk of infection low, mine did go longer but I was very insistent that I didn't want a c-section. If I had wanted one she'd have been out a lot quicker. If you don't make good progress after being induced I'm sure you could request a section or they may suggest it. You're already on the clock as your waters have gone, so it won't be days and days.

I thought inductions once your waters had gone were usually pretty quick as you've missed out the whole pessary stage where they try and get your cervix ready to break your waters. Both times I've been induced it's been a few hours after waters being broken.

Nope, I had 1 pessary first to see if that would kick things off, then they wait a few hours. Then if nothing or not much happens they use the syntocyn drip. I was Ocm dilated and 0 effaced despite waters having gone.

My waters went and no contractions started.

You DO NOT have to induced straight away or even within 24 hrs if you don't want to .... it's very much your decision but most NHS guidelines will say to induce within 24 hrs.

I waited till around 48hrs... just after really as I still had no contractions. I was induced via pessary and contractions started pretty much straight away

If you want more evidence based info then have a look at the Evidence based birth website
Good luck

My waters went 2 weeks before I went into labour, had to be monitored every second day.

Does it make a difference in the waiting if your waters are a slight leak or if it all goes with a woosh?

Same thing happened to me. Midwife gave me a sweep then sent me to match up and down the hospital stairs. Soon got things going. Good luck OP, hope things have moved along!

I was in a slightly similar situation, i.e. waters broken, no contractions and then given the induction drip. I have no underlying conditions and had a very healthy pregnancy but c-section was mentioned after a few hours of induction as progress was slow. I ended up on the operating table after a day of induction.

In your situation, I'd probably want to try induction to see if it happens quickly. Also bear in mind, that if you have an epidural, you might be able to have a good sleep while you're in labour as you won't feel anything so worth requesting that straight away. And recovery + getting your energy back after a C-section is much much worse than a natural labour.

My waters broke and I was induced. It was just under 12 hours from waters going to baby being born so not all induced labours take days.
Fingers crossed your contractions will start though x

Hi all, thank you for responding. As it turns out baby decided to make his appearance yesterday evening!

It was a very quick birth, my contractions started at less than 2mins apart and 30mins later I was in hospital and 7cm dilated! He only needed 2hours of pushing and he arrived!

I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night just because I was so shocked and running on adrenaline. My muscles are aching and I’m shattered but very happy 😀

Aww, congratulations

Congratulations!

Welcome to the world little one.

Congrats. I was about to post to say don't worry too much about induction - it isn't always as bad as some people have. And also that sometimes after a quiet spell after waters break it happens quite quickly - and it did!

Enjoy your baby

Ah amazing! Congratulations ❤️