After your water breaks, how long will it take for labor to begin?

[XXKaylaXX1]

Just got back from my prenatal, I am 38.2 weeks along. She asked if I was having contractions, and I just told her cramping and BH. She said I'm 4cm dilated, 80% effaced, baby is engaged at -2, and my bag of waters is SO low she wouldnt be surprised if they went tonight. She even warned me that she was on call if I needed her. Then when making my appt card for my next appt she said "IF you are still pregnant by next Wednesday, thats when I'll see you next!"

Now I know dilation and effacement don't really predict labor, but I live an active lifestyle and she says due to my activeness, I'm dilating and effacing REALLY fast, and the baby is dropping more and more each visit. (Had preterm contractions at 34 weeks so thjey checked me at 34 and 35 and I was 1cm dilated, at 36 weeks I was 2cm 75% effaced, at 37 weeks I was 3cm and 75% and now today I'm 4cm and 80%)


NOW I'm wondering what to do if my water breaks, but I am not having contractions? Do I still go to L&D? I heard alot of doctors will induce if labor does not pick up within 12 hours of your water breaking... or should I just let my water break and wait at home until I get contractions? How long usually after the water breaks does labor begin anyway?

 

[cassarita]

When my water broke I went to the hospital but in hindsight I wish I would have stayed at home for longer.

Just don't have a bath and don't have sex and don't try and check yourself because after your water breaks you can be at risk for an infection.
If you water breaks and you aren't having contractions I would call your midwife and tell her what happened and she might just tell you to stay at home until contractions start up. Defiently go in if there is mecconium in your waters though.

 

[SaMa86]

Don't know the recommendations for where you are but here they don't want you to go more than 24-48 hours after your waters have gone due to the risk of infection. They tell you to call the hospital when they go and then to stay at home and wait for contractions to start, and if they don't they'll book you in for induction. Most women find that they go into labour naturally within 24-48 hours of their waters breaking tho.

HTH

 

[BERDC99]

I just wanted to say good luck. I hope you go into labor soon. I also just noticed that we only live about an hour or so away from each other.

 

[Pretty Sakura]

If your water breaks you need to phone your doctor/mw as soon as it happens. They need to document it. You have 24 hours to go into labor. After that your chances for infection go up. And like Cass said above, no bath, no sex, and no self exams. And if your fluid is any color but clear or yellowish definitely call the hospital ASAP. Mecconium means the baby is in distress and you need to be seen. But remember you can go into labor without your waters going. Good luck and hope you don't have much longer to wait.

 

[ClairAye]

Mine went at 2.45am, was having mild contractions from 4am, ended up being induced at I can't remember what time, roughly 4-5pm I think, I didn't have him until 38 hours after my waters went though.

And as the above poster said, if they're yellow-ish or green phone and tell them, my waters were green but I held off going in early early morning saying I'd keep an eye on it, thinking it was my plug, but I had meconium in my waters, the midwife was shocked because they weren't tinged green they were full on green, sorry rambling a bit now!

Good Luck!

 

[Indigo77]

My doctor instructed me to call if there was water or blood, with or without contractions. GL!

 

[XXKaylaXX1]

thanks guys! Makes me a little happier having a plan! I always thought I'd have contractions, then my water would break... but the doctor is thinking my water will break before I have contractions after today. I had no idea about the meconium so thanks for letting me know what to look out for. I guess when they break I will just call L&D and see what the doctor on call wants me to do. Hopefully my water will break and labor will progress quick after... I hope not to be induced.

 

[seaweed eater]

Another reason to get checked immediately is in case of cord prolapse (the cord sticking out ahead of the baby)...it's a rare complication but if it happens and your waters break it can become dangerous for the baby. But if you are hoping to avoid induction, you could go in to get checked and then plan to go home and wait several hours for contractions assuming the cord is ok. You may find it easier to go home after if you can get checked at your doctor's office instead of L&D. Good luck!!