Having water broken in labor?

[7costanza]

Has anyone had their water broken during labor? What was your experience like?

Last time I was checked (about 5 hours ago) I was at 5cm but contractions have slowed, and the nurse mentioned this as an option. She said she could feel my bag of waters bulging with the baby's head right behind it. I have another 2 hours before they check me again.

[ssmjlm]

I had mine broken bc I wasn't progressing. It was no biggie for me even with the epi. The doctor came in, broke it, and then I felt warm water sort of gush out.

[pierogigirl]

I had mine broken with DS2. I was at 9 cm and then started to swell and went back to 8. The dr. broke my water at about 8am and he was born at 9am.

[noodleskooze]

I did. I had been at 6 for 5 hours. I had not had the epi...but once my waters were broken, I got to 9 in like an hour.

Getting my water broken didn't hurt, but it made me progress so fast I asked for the epi after.

[lolo]

I had mine broken as part of a med free induction to get things going.

In your case I would want to know whether there's a time limit to how long you can labor once your water has broken. It raises your risk of infection somewhat so you might also want to space internal exams once broken.

It's generally pretty low risk and painless though.

[ssmjlm]

I will also add, even after my water broke I ended up with pitocin bc I still wasn't progressing. So my water was broken at 7am and I didn't get to 10 until 2pm.

[Willis Jackson]

With DD, my dr broke my water right before I started pushing. I was 10cm. I don't really know why she did it (forgot to ask) but it didn't hurt.

With DS, I remember my labor got much more painful after my water broke (naturally).

[mellymel]

Yes, I had my water broken by the dr both times I was in labor. It helped me progress quickly and it was painless. Just a gush of warm fluid.

[gibbinator]

My labor stalled at 8cm l. I didn't notice the actual breaking. I knew the ob was about to do it, but it just felt like a normal exam. Until the gigantic explosion of liquid out my vag that just went on and on and on and on and on....

Broken around 4am, born with vacuum at 11am

[AmyRI]

When I had DS, my OB broke my waters when I was 8cm and the bag was bulging. There was really no reason to do it other than to speed things up for her convenience (even though she had just gotten there at 7:30 am). I didn't mind, but knowing how intense things got right after that, I did not plan on doing the same when I had DD. I diated to 9.5 cm with the next contraction and it was the absolute worst contraction of either of my labors (I didn't have pain meds either time, so if you have an epi this is less of a concern).

There is a higher risk of cord prolapse with artificial rupture of membranes, but if they're confident that baby's head is right behind the bag, there shouldn't be enough room for the cord to move in as the bag is broken.

Personally I'd do AROM before I'd consent to pitocin if things really need to be sped up. Asking for more time is an option, though, assuming baby is tolerating labor well.

[7costanza]

Thank you all! I'm at 6 cm now, I think we're going to try nipple stimulation with the pump for a while and if that doesn't work break the bag of waters. I'm trying to go med free, so hopefully I can make it once things really get going.

[AmyRI]

Jul 22, 2013 7:17:11 GMT -5 7costanza said:

Thank you all! I'm at 6 cm now, I think we're going to try nipple stimulation with the pump for a while and if that doesn't work break the bag of waters. I'm trying to go med free, so hopefully I can make it once things really get going.

Just remember that it's normal to doubt yourself when you hit transition. Both times I said (out loud) that I couldn't do it anymore. DH and my MW reminded me that I WAS doing it (very enthusiastically) and that it was almost over and that's what got me through. Hope the nipple stimulation works and you're meeting baby soon!

[cinco]

Jul 22, 2013 7:17:11 GMT -5 7costanza said:

Thank you all! I'm at 6 cm now, I think we're going to try nipple stimulation with the pump for a while and if that doesn't work break the bag of waters. I'm trying to go med free, so hopefully I can make it once things really get going.

So exciting! GL! My water was broken for me with each labor. Things progressed extremely quickly after (like baby in the next 1-2 hours)

[mswax]

If you are going med-free, I'd avoid breaking your water. While the water breaking didn't hurt, the contractions got SO MUCH stronger/more painful afterwards.

[speckledfrog]

They broke my water. I had a really fast labor so it didn't make a difference to me. He did have meconium in his fluid so I'm glad they broke it so the NICU nurses could be there at delivery to evaluate him.

[froggy76]

Good luck!!!

[Deleted]

If you're med free, try to resist the water breaking as long as you can. It really ramps things up, and a lot of women get the epi shortly after if they don't have it before.

Good luck! It's normal to plateau for a while where you are.

[litasail]

Are you Kate Middleton?

I had my water broken. I was oddly resistant to it, but once I finally let them it helped me make it the last couple of CM. All worked out great from there!

[smm5623]

I had mine broken. I didn't have an epi and really didn't feel much while my OB was breaking it. I felt a gush of warm liquid and that was all.

I was having regular contractions before and didn't really appreciate a significant change in intensity after.

[lolo]

Jul 22, 2013 7:17:11 GMT -5 7costanza said:

Thank you all! I'm at 6 cm now, I think we're going to try nipple stimulation with the pump for a while and if that doesn't work break the bag of waters. I'm trying to go med free, so hopefully I can make it once things really get going.

Nip stim is a great idea. I found it really effective.

I just want to encourage you that med free is possible. As mentioned above, my waters were broken as part of a med free induction. I did not have pain meds after that either, although everyone is right that it does get rather intense for many after you do that as the pressure on your cervix will increase.

Of course if you choose to have meds, there should be no shame whatsoever. Either way, you're doing this thing Mama!

[liveintheville]

Yeah, both times they did.

[crazygame]

Mine broke on its own, but I had it re-broken. The bag had turned and wasn't draining anymore. It really sped up my labor and I almost missed the chance to get the epidural. Good luck!

[cherry1111]

I was induced and my dr broke mine when I was at 2cm with no epidural. I won't lie, that shit hurt. I had an epi after that so that was one of the most painful parts of my labor.

[dancingirl21]

My doctor broke mine at 5cm to get things moving. He didn't even really tell me he was doing it, but I heard him ask the nurse for the tool they use to do it. I didn't feel a thing other than a warm gush.

[Marmee]

Yes, I did for DD2 & 3.  It made the contractions hurt.  That's all I recall

[Deleted]

I did with both. The first time I was already pushing and didn't even really notice. The second time doc broke it after 5 or so hrs after pitocin started. I was a 2/3 when he broke it. Baby arrived 5 hrs later. I can't remember if I had the epidural before or after my water was broken - I think after. It wasn't painful at all.

[niq]

We are at the OBs to review our birth plan. She said that water breaking is pretty low risk, and sometimes done if active labour stalls. It doesn't seem to trigger anything else in terms of intervention.

When I was reviewing all of the "what are all the things we can do to speed labor", I ran across a study showing that breaking the water reduces length of labor without any additional risk of C section or other complications. But I can't remember how rigorous the study was.

Good luck!

I blame all wring words on Swype

[fbf2006]

My sister went med free with her big boys. The 1st time she didn't realize her water hadn't broken yet and she was stalled for a while. It was eventually broken and that was what helped her move on and continue with her med free birth. Obviously an anecdote, but just wanted to say it doesn't necessarily mean you'll end up with an epidural.

[starlily]

I had mine broken after around 24 hours without progress. I didn't feel anything when they did it. After they broke it I delivered in 3-1/2 hours.

[Deleted]

I stalled at 6cm with my waters bulging. My midwife broke it at 10:50pm and my son was born at 11:48pm.

The contractions got so much worse but I made it med-free. I am the biggest wimp ever and it wasn't my intention to have a med-free birth. I just wanted to see how far I could get and by the time I wanted the epi I started pushing. It can be done

That said, I had one medicated birth and one not and either way I was happily holding a baby after. Do whatever feels right.

Good luck!