Waters gone at 34 weeks-possible TMI question/advice

[Esmeralda1988]

As title, waters went at 34 weeks, just come home today from hospital after 2 days of observation and no sign of contractions starting. Waters have been leaking heavily ever since going which is to be expected, apparently they replenish constantly but then drain out again. The issue I'm having is I'm just flooding pad after pad and constantly sitting in a puddle, and it's so uncomfortable! I'm going to be induced/have a section at 37 weeks but how can I manage this constant wetting until then if I don't go into labour before? It could be another almost 3 weeks Any practical advice very welcome!

My waters broke at 34 weeks with ds and i pushed for an induction. He was fine,born at 34+5, as was ds who came on her own amd cooked 3 more days at 35+1. Did they say why they wouldn't induce you? Infection risk is quite high with no waters i believe

No, it wasn't discussed. First pregnancy so tend to follow the advice given! They did say it was a balance between infection risk and keeping her in as long as possible. I'm on antibiotics with instructions to come back in if any sign of change in waters, temperature etc. I've got an appointment on Wednesday so will query why no induction then. Thank you

Yh id push for one myself, at that gestation, theres no problems normally, theyre just a bit little. Dd was 5lb 4, no need for NICU, and ds was 4lb 13, nicu, but no real need for it tbh.

With ds, i didnt challenge things and found myself questioning why i didnt afterwards.

@Esmeralda1988 Differently from the OP, I think it’s better for baby to remain inside you for as long as possible as long as there are no signs of infection I’d trust the doctors on this one and try my hardest to keep baby where they are until 37 weeks, every day makes a difference.

@TwinkleStars15 yes I'm inclined to agree but will ask the question when I go back just to see. They didn't say the outcome would necessarily be bad if she was born now but as you say each day counts. I was a bit blindsided by it all because I didn't realise you could continue a pregnancy once your waters had gone!

I think it’s good to be guided by the docs advice on timing (but to pay attention to any change in symptoms). 34-37 weeks used to be kind of a grey area for whether to induce or wait, now it’s more common practice to wait until 37. There’s a trial (you can find if you google PPROMT), which shows probably better for the babies to wait until 37 weeks.
As for the leaking issue - I would just experiment with different types of pads I’m afraid. Consider trying incontinence pads - you should be able to get them from supermarket or pharmacy. You also should hopefully be able to find incontinence sheets which might be useful for protecting your bed sheets. Failing that, the biggest maternity pads you can find, and wear two at a time.
Not very elegant but it’s not for long!

@TenThousandSpoons0 thank you as always! I'll have a look at the trial. Incontinence pads sound a good idea too, I expect it will just take some getting used to.