Any advice please

tiffxxx · 05/01/2025 00:16

BluntHazelBalonz · 05/01/2025 00:13

My waters broke at 10.30am and since then I haven’t really had any pain or contractions. I was 2cm dilated at 8.30pm but since then have had more intense pains but they only last 20/30 seconds. My waters are still trickling out and I have been offered a hormone drip and epidural. Does anyone have any tips on what to do, I’m starting to worry and I’m scared.

Hi hun I don't sorry are you currently in the hospital

Original poster

BluntHazelBalonz · 05/01/2025 00:16

tiffxxx · 05/01/2025 00:16

Hi hun I don't sorry are you currently in the hospital

Show quote history

Yeah

OP posts:

Mandarinjuice · 05/01/2025 00:20

Hi! Sorry that you’re feeling scared - hope you’re OK and that you have someone with you.

How far along into the pregnancy are you? Is this baby number one?

What is it specifically that’s worrying you - is it the pain, or the fear of the unknown, or thoughts about having an induction? Have you been able to talk things through with your midwife or medical team?

Pandasnacks · 05/01/2025 00:21

Do you not want to take the drip?

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 05/01/2025 00:23

What are the midwives advising?

You need your partner to advocate for you to get attention. I've never given birth vaginally (3 c/s) but it seems a long time to go without progress.

NewNameNoelle · 05/01/2025 00:32

Hello OP, I understand that this is scary. You’re in the best place if you’re in hospital and the best thing now is to try to relax. As hard as that sounds, the more relaxed the more your body will be able to do what it needs to do.

They won’t want you going too long without progress as there is a slight risk of infection if your waters have gone (mine went on all 3 so I have been through it myself)

Don’t feel that you need to make a decision without all the information. Can you ask more questions: what are the other options? is there anything else you could do (I walked and walked and walked to kick start my weak contractions)? What is the success rate of the drip given your stage of labour? Could you go straight to c-section (obv I don’t know if you want this but perhaps worth asking if you are interested)? What are the risks of induction vs waiting or vs C-section?

Ultimately the midwives will want the safest option for you both, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t options.

An induction and epidural don’t have to be a negative experience if that’s the route you go down.

wishing you the best of luck and soon you’ll have your baby with you

Emmzo · 05/01/2025 00:50

I feel for you… it’s a scary time and lack of progress is enormously anxiety inducing…

They’re offering you options which you don’t know whether to take or not without knowing what’s best. Every birth is different and you need to go with what feels right for you.

I would try and talk to the midwives to understand if there are any concerns or when these may arise (from memory, they like to see things moving within 24 hours of waters breaking but your own situation may be different).

My experience with the drip was that it was very effective but very intense, and I was prepared to ask for an epidural as soon as I realised the effects (knowing it can take a while for the anaesthetist to be available!)

My second labour went from 0-60 in no time - things may change very suddenly into full labour for you (fingers crossed!)

They ultimately can’t/wont tell you what to do, so do what you can to understand and prepare for. There isn’t a right or wrong answer, for me I made my choices firstly on what was best for my babies (safe and happy - leave them be, any sign of issues, I’ll take whatever’s needed to get us through) and then whatever I needed to cope (ie epidural!).

Your baby will be in your arms within hours, and being in hospital already means you’ll be monitored as much as needed. It’s a really tough part, but you’ll most likely barely remember this after tomorrow, for all the right reasons! If your getting too anxious then by all means take the drip, personally I would take epidural at the same time, although some women are absolutely fine without. Good luck!! x

Original poster

BluntHazelBalonz · 05/01/2025 01:22

Emmzo · 05/01/2025 00:50

I feel for you… it’s a scary time and lack of progress is enormously anxiety inducing…

They’re offering you options which you don’t know whether to take or not without knowing what’s best. Every birth is different and you need to go with what feels right for you.

I would try and talk to the midwives to understand if there are any concerns or when these may arise (from memory, they like to see things moving within 24 hours of waters breaking but your own situation may be different).

My experience with the drip was that it was very effective but very intense, and I was prepared to ask for an epidural as soon as I realised the effects (knowing it can take a while for the anaesthetist to be available!)

My second labour went from 0-60 in no time - things may change very suddenly into full labour for you (fingers crossed!)

They ultimately can’t/wont tell you what to do, so do what you can to understand and prepare for. There isn’t a right or wrong answer, for me I made my choices firstly on what was best for my babies (safe and happy - leave them be, any sign of issues, I’ll take whatever’s needed to get us through) and then whatever I needed to cope (ie epidural!).

Your baby will be in your arms within hours, and being in hospital already means you’ll be monitored as much as needed. It’s a really tough part, but you’ll most likely barely remember this after tomorrow, for all the right reasons! If your getting too anxious then by all means take the drip, personally I would take epidural at the same time, although some women are absolutely fine without. Good luck!! x

Thank you so much xx

OP posts:

UncharteredWaters · 05/01/2025 02:22

Hope you’re doing okay and here’s a wee 2am handhold if needed.

is this your first?
usually they like movement in 24 hrs so you have time yet.
have a chat with the midwife about options, timings etc?

often it’s slow and then suddenly ramps up. keep active as best you can.

I’d also say have a think about your preferences, do want v don’t want, eg how you feel about interventions, pain relief, c sections etc and then see what can be built in to the next few hours/days.

if your comfy and relaxed and baby is comfy/relaxed with no distress then you have time to think. You’ll have them here soon - focus on the end goal x

Original poster

BluntHazelBalonz · 05/01/2025 02:42

UncharteredWaters · 05/01/2025 02:22

Hope you’re doing okay and here’s a wee 2am handhold if needed.

is this your first?
usually they like movement in 24 hrs so you have time yet.
have a chat with the midwife about options, timings etc?

often it’s slow and then suddenly ramps up. keep active as best you can.

I’d also say have a think about your preferences, do want v don’t want, eg how you feel about interventions, pain relief, c sections etc and then see what can be built in to the next few hours/days.

if your comfy and relaxed and baby is comfy/relaxed with no distress then you have time to think. You’ll have them here soon - focus on the end goal x

Hello, it is my first indeed. Things have progressed since and I’m getting some surges that last around 30 seconds maybe but everytime I get one it’s moreee intense. I’m starting to get very tired though so not sure what to do

OP posts:

Original poster

BluntHazelBalonz · 05/01/2025 02:42

NewNameNoelle · 05/01/2025 00:32

Hello OP, I understand that this is scary. You’re in the best place if you’re in hospital and the best thing now is to try to relax. As hard as that sounds, the more relaxed the more your body will be able to do what it needs to do.

They won’t want you going too long without progress as there is a slight risk of infection if your waters have gone (mine went on all 3 so I have been through it myself)

Don’t feel that you need to make a decision without all the information. Can you ask more questions: what are the other options? is there anything else you could do (I walked and walked and walked to kick start my weak contractions)? What is the success rate of the drip given your stage of labour? Could you go straight to c-section (obv I don’t know if you want this but perhaps worth asking if you are interested)? What are the risks of induction vs waiting or vs C-section?

Ultimately the midwives will want the safest option for you both, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t options.

An induction and epidural don’t have to be a negative experience if that’s the route you go down.

wishing you the best of luck and soon you’ll have your baby with you

Thank you so much xx

OP posts:

Original poster

BluntHazelBalonz · 05/01/2025 02:43

Thank you all for your kind messages and advise

OP posts:

tiffxxx · 05/01/2025 02:44

BluntHazelBalonz · 05/01/2025 02:43

Thank you all for your kind messages and advise

Your welcome

NameChanger91736 · 05/01/2025 02:47

Emmzo · 05/01/2025 00:50

I feel for you… it’s a scary time and lack of progress is enormously anxiety inducing…

They’re offering you options which you don’t know whether to take or not without knowing what’s best. Every birth is different and you need to go with what feels right for you.

I would try and talk to the midwives to understand if there are any concerns or when these may arise (from memory, they like to see things moving within 24 hours of waters breaking but your own situation may be different).

My experience with the drip was that it was very effective but very intense, and I was prepared to ask for an epidural as soon as I realised the effects (knowing it can take a while for the anaesthetist to be available!)

My second labour went from 0-60 in no time - things may change very suddenly into full labour for you (fingers crossed!)

They ultimately can’t/wont tell you what to do, so do what you can to understand and prepare for. There isn’t a right or wrong answer, for me I made my choices firstly on what was best for my babies (safe and happy - leave them be, any sign of issues, I’ll take whatever’s needed to get us through) and then whatever I needed to cope (ie epidural!).

Your baby will be in your arms within hours, and being in hospital already means you’ll be monitored as much as needed. It’s a really tough part, but you’ll most likely barely remember this after tomorrow, for all the right reasons! If your getting too anxious then by all means take the drip, personally I would take epidural at the same time, although some women are absolutely fine without. Good luck!! x

My experience with the drip was that it was very effective but very intense, and I was prepared to ask for an epidural as soon as I realised the effects (knowing it can take a while for the anaesthetist to be available!)
My second labour went from 0-60 in no time - things may change very suddenly into full labour for you (fingers crossed!)

I had the drin and they told me it would be painful and offered me an epidural before the drip..... it was my 3rd labour and I actually declined because I thought I'd be able to cope 🤣 it went from 0 to 100 for me and I was soon begging for the epidural 😅

All went well after that baby born fine

OP I'd go for the drin and epidural, I was no where near as exausted with my 3rd because i didnt spend hours in pain and didnt have to put so much energy into pushing the baby out ( my body literally did it for me, I could feel his coming and I remember the midwife telling me to stop pushing and me saying it wasnt me doing it 🤣

Good luck x

AmateurNoun · 05/01/2025 03:00

Are you still at the hospital?

my waters broke and I only had small contractions which didn't progress. I think I had to come into hospital the morning after my waters broke for them to check everything was alright and scan me, but then they sent me home to see if things progressed.

My contractions were still fairly weak a couple of days later so I went back in to be induced. They don't like to leave it much longer than that because there can be an infection risk.

But basically, I would just follow whatever advice the midwives give.

AmateurNoun · 05/01/2025 03:02

I would add that they gave me the drip to bring it on and it progressed very quickly too and I needed an epidural. Don't be afraid to ask for an epidural if you feel you need one.

Mandarinjuice · 05/01/2025 07:41

Hope all is going well well OP!

Sending lots of love.

Original poster

BluntHazelBalonz · 09/01/2025 10:08

Thank you everyone

OP posts: