Waters broken

[Katieandthekids]

Anyone been induced by having their waters broken and willing to share experience?

Yes, 3 times.
My 3rd at 42wks (second induction) my waters were broken, I was then monitored for 30mins. Then told to go for a wee, contractions started as soon as I stood up and she was born 2hrs later.

4th at 40wks, waters broken but nothing happened, no contractions. Ended up on drip, but refused to have it until an epidural was in. He was born 4hrs after the drip got me to established labour.

5th. Induced at 41wks. Very similar to 3rd. Waters broken and out in 2hrs.

With 4 & 5 I was home the same day. 5 I gave birth at 5.37pm and was home by 9.30pm.

Thank you! How long do they let you wait after they've broken them before they do the drip?

Yes I had my waters broken and was put on the drip shortly afterwards - baby born 4.5 hours later. I was discussing this with my consultant the other day because it was pretty fast/intense - it meant I got pain relief when I really shouldn’t have and this time I need to have the group b strep antibiotics and there is a 4 hour requirement so I’m a bit worried about second labour being even quicker! She said that this time they can hold off on starting the drip to see if breaking my waters is enough with a little bit of time.

The answer to your question though is that they have to let you wait as long as you want to wait because they can’t administer the hormone drip without your consent. I’m not suggesting of course you act against medical advice but I think it’s worthwhile having a conversation with your midwife about this - what they usually do and why and what the risks are (if any) of waiting longer and you can put your preferences in your birth plan.

@katieandthekids with dc4 they broke my waters at about 4.30pm, then I went for a walk around the grounds (pre covid)
Unlike 3&5 absolutely nothing happened, and after 2hrs they talked about putting me on the drip.

I had a drip in my first labour and said I didn't consent to it starting until I had the epidural in. We then waited another 5hrs until 11.30pm for an anaesthetist to become available. He did briefly pop in at 9pm but was buzzed for an emergency just as I was being prepped. Obviously waiting that long was probably due to me being bottom priority as I wasn't in pain.

If I recall it was said that after 6-8 hours we’d discuss the drip of labour hadn’t begun… maybe the drip was to be started within 12 hours? I’m not sure. I know there is a risk of infection following ARM…
But mine was my second labour and dd was born 6 hours after ARM, contractions began within 1 hour but built up naturally and weren’t overwhelming.

Thanks so much for the info. It's my second birth but my first was twins and I had placenta growing over my cervix so had to have a c section at 36 weeks so this is all new to me. I was convinced this little girl would be early but I'm nearly 40 weeks and no sign and they've told me I can't have a sweep coz of my c section?

My twins are only two and quite clingy at the moment and I have huge anxiety about being away from them for too long.

I had my waters broken but I’d had the pessary and the gel in so I’d been being induced for about 36 hours by this point. I was only 1cm by this point and for me them breaking my waters was absolutely agonising even with the gas and air. It took them three goes as I couldn’t take it.

Once mine had broken the contractions ramped up literally instantaneously and I asked for an epidural after about 5 mins. They did put me on the drip as well but I’m not really sure why.

My epidural didn’t work and it was all extremely painful and I ended up asking for a c section after 6 or 7 hours or something.

My experience doesn’t seem to be the norm though with the waters breaking - perhaps because I was only 1cm dilated??