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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Waters Broken

29 replies

WatersBroken · 14/03/2021 10:27

Hi everyone,

My waters have broken today at 38+4 but no contractions as of yet. They went in quite a big gush this morning at 6am but have been leaking on and off.

Since then I've had a shower, washed my hair, tidied the house, bounced on my ball, had my raspberry leaf tea...

Any ideas what I can do to get the contractions going? Also, what will it feel like? Will I know 100% I am having one? (Clueless FTM)

Also any one else who's had this experience and can share their stories would be appreciated! Really don't want to be induced but know that's on the cards if baby doesn't make his way on his own.

Thanks

OP posts:
Easterbunnygettingready · 14/03/2021 10:29

Get vacuuming op!
And fingers crossed for a Mother's day baby!!

trevthecat · 14/03/2021 10:35

Happy mother's day!! Amazing! With my youngest mine went at 3pm and contractions didn't start till 4am. Just a waiting game! Get bits done, enjoy your day. It may be like period pain at first and then settle into a rhythm. Good luck!

Original poster
WatersBroken · 14/03/2021 10:45

Thank you both! I'm going to try hoovering next Grin got to go and be checked over at the hospital at midday but hopefully then I can come home again

OP posts:
mechanicalwonders · 14/03/2021 10:52

Hi. .After my water broke I never started contractions. They broke late on a Friday and started to induce me on Sunday morning.

hope you start naturally and it all goes well

Original poster
WatersBroken · 14/03/2021 10:55

@mechanicalwonders thank you for your reply! How did you find being induced? How long til labour started? I just dread being induced and it taking up to 2 days and having to sit around for that long in hospital

OP posts:
ChateauMargaux · 14/03/2021 10:57

Somewhere between 60% and 90% of women will go into spontaneous labour within 24 hours of waters breaking. It is best to avoid a cervical examination in this time period. You can decline an induction after 24 hours and opt for monitoring instead. Maybe look at spinning babies.. side lying release, forward leaning inversion and shaking the apples to release any uterine tensions and allow the baby to descend and help the cervix to relax.

Good luck!! Not long now until you will have your beautiful baby in your arms!!!

Original poster
WatersBroken · 14/03/2021 11:00

@ChateauMargaux thank you so much for your reply! Luckily babies head is engaged, on Friday midwife said if it was any lower I'd be in labour but would these things still help? They've said I need to go in to be swabbed to check it's my waters but I imagine this won't include a cervical examination.. I hope not anyway! Hmm

OP posts:
mechanicalwonders · 14/03/2021 11:11

Well in all honesty much of it is fuzzy now in my memory, its 12 years ago. I found it painful. .but obviously there is pain relief. ..at one point they checked my dilation. .it was 3cm.I was so deflated. . They had been inducing me for hours. In the end I had an emergency c sec at 10 pm Sunday.

minniemoocher · 14/03/2021 11:24

Keep active, hot curry and be prepared. I didn't have spontaneous waters breaking but my friend did, after 24 hours went to the hospital and she was7cm dilated no pain!

ChateauMargaux · 14/03/2021 12:01

Yes, those moves will still help..

Original poster
WatersBroken · 14/03/2021 12:14

@minniemoocher I can only pray this is me haha! Thank you that's interesting. I have had a lot of pressure the last two days, some of which has taken my breath away but wouldn't describe it as period pains. I guess they will monitor me at the hospital and see if I'm contracting Hmm

OP posts:
polkadotjersey · 14/03/2021 12:25

Exciting! My waters broke at 38+4 with my second, just as I was nodding off to sleep. The midwife advised me to try to get some sleep and call when my contractions were five minutes apart. I wasn't really having any contractions at that point, just the odd twinge that felt like period pain, but they got going overnight without me doing anything.

HAB86 · 14/03/2021 12:35

Nothing seemed to get mine going, I went for a brisk walk, cleaning etc etc.
I was induced at the 24hr mark, when they put pessary in I was not dilated at all, but had a very smooth induction, baby born 7.5hrs after pessary. Bounced on my ball with a tens machine on for most of the labour then had gas and air for pushing, it was intense but I count myself as having a ‘good’ birth despite being induced.

Original poster
WatersBroken · 14/03/2021 14:55

Thank you everyone for your responses! I've been in for monitoring and baby is fine. Still leaking fluids (surprised there's any left). Midwife was really nice and said it's up to me re induction so I haven't booked one for tomorrow and will see how I get on Grin fingers crossed baby arrives tomorrow at the latest!

OP posts:
chickensoup23 · 15/03/2021 07:31

Hope it's all going okay OP - been checking back for updates!

Original poster
WatersBroken · 15/03/2021 07:49

@chickensoup23 morning! Still no update Sad I was feeling quite anxious yesterday about the thought of an induction which I know isn't going to help! So trying today to be more positive today, keep moving around etc.

I've woken up with on and off period cramps - is it usual for it to stop and start? Definitely don't think this is contractions yet but weird that it's coming and going.

Back in for monitoring at 11am and hoping I don't have to battle to bide myself more time to go naturally.

OP posts:
chickensoup23 · 15/03/2021 08:27

Morning! Oh dear. I mean I'm no expert but with my DS it was very stop start. Sounds silly but whenever I got into water (bath or birthing pool) it would stop so maybe try and have a bath as a change of atmosphere may get something going.
I'm currently 38 weeks and when mine start the first thing I plan on doing is getting in the water to see if they are 'real'
Easier said than done but try and relax as much as you can as the panic / stress hormones could delay it. Try dim the lights and put on some relaxing music in the bath and enjoy some
Time to wash your hair etc as it's obviously imminent! Good luck xxx

chickensoup23 · 15/03/2021 08:28

Maybe start timing the coming and going / start stop just incase? Do you have a contractions app?

Original poster
WatersBroken · 15/03/2021 08:34

@chickensoup23 I've started timing them, they're quite close together 2.5 mins but only lasting 30-40 seconds? I've had a shower this morning and since then is when they've actually ramped up. I really hope this is it but confused about the timings! Thank you for your help

OP posts:
chickensoup23 · 15/03/2021 08:39

Sounds like it could be positive! Just try and stay active / mobile and as calm as possible. Maybe give the hospital a call just to check in. Excited for you! X

peachypetite · 15/03/2021 08:43

This happened to me! Keep active and upright is the best thing. March up and down living room and stairs.

Susanthepig · 15/03/2021 08:45

How exciting! I’d give the hospital a call as you’re approaching the end of your 24 hr window regarding infection risk.
Good luck.

trevthecat · 15/03/2021 09:09

Ooooohh all sounds promising!! Good luck!

chickensoup23 · 16/03/2021 09:04

@WatersBroken any news? Hope your all doing okay xx

Original poster
WatersBroken · 16/03/2021 12:59

@chickensoup23 baby is here Grin! He arrived at 5.30am after almost 24 hours in labour

OP posts:
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