Ruptured membranes at 35 weeks, what next?

[kinki]

Just wondering what will happen next. I've been sent home with ABs. While in hospital I had a some mild contractions, but they tailed off. I'm booked in for a section at 38 weeks. I've been told to look out for any sign of infection. Any problems or concerns I'm to go back in. Meanwhile I'm to have ctg monitoring and scans every few days.

So my question is for those in the know, or to those who this has happened to, is it more likely that I will start contracting soon or am I likely to hold on. Its probably a how long is a piece of string question. (Btw, this happened 2.5 days ago, and afaik vag swab was clear, so no underlying infection has caused this.)

Couple more questions: Is the leaking likely to stop; I've had gaps of a few hours but then I have another little flood. Is sex a no-no? Not that I'm feeling like it but was wondering about in a week or 2 to kick start contractions. And finally, I've been sent home to 'wait and see', but I never thought to ask if I'm supposed to rest or if I can/should be carrying on as normal (wet patches and puddles depending).

Any wise words of wisdom or experience gratefully received. In fact anything other than dh's clever contribution - stick a cork up your fanny. Tia.

I thought there was a maximum length of time you were meant to be left with ruptured membranes (can't remember how long but 96 hours sticks in my head, could be wrong though!)

Sex is a definite no-no as it would increase your chances of infection.

Mine ruptured at about 36 weeks with DS2 but I was kept in and told to cross my legs.

Did they give you a steroid injection to mature LOs lungs?

That's interesting NSF, they said if no more contractions they'll wait until the planned section in 2.5 weeks time.

I didn't have the steroid injections because I've been on oral steroids for something else for 5 months, so they didn't think it necessary.

How long did you go between rupturing and having ds? Did contractions start naturally?

I ruptured on the Tuesday and DS2 was born on the following Saturday.

I had mild contractions for a couple of days, then on the friday night very painful ones. They said I wasn't in labour and I ended up being rushed (they were literally running with me in a wheelchair) to the labour suite about 8 am, and he was born 30 minutes later.

On my paperwork my labour was put down as 45 mins

(mind you they had written the wrong blood group on the papers as well - just as well nothing went wrong!)

absolutely no sex

and possibly no baths but some research has shown that baths might not be an issue re infection....check with MW

i wouldn;t try to encourage contractions now, as 35 weeks a wee bit too early

if you do go into labour , are you going to deliver vaginally or go in for your c.s?

try to take it easy, keep an eye on your temperature, if you feel shivery or unwell, or the loss is no longer clear fluid, then go in right away

ahhh - I have just been searching lulumamas past posts with the words waters and hours in

and look, like majic, up she pops

Thanks nsf and lulu. Very happy to be told 'no sex'! Was only thinking that if nothing happens in next 1-2 weeks. If I do go into labour it will be a section (have had a few complications plus 2 previous sections). My loss has been light pink almost all the time, but they didn't seem too concerned with that. They told me to watch out for any green or brown.

pink is an ok colour for waters , as is straw coloured or clear, and as you have been told , green or brown Not Good.

hope all goes well x

Will do a bit of lulu research.