Water breaking

julesjarvais65

I know for some women their water doesn't break before they go into labor, but if this happens at the beginning of my labor, do I have to go in right away? Or can I labor for a few more hours at home? I wanna be at home as long as I can.

katcarls

Recommendations seem to vary by provider.  My MW wanted me to come in if it had been 12-18 hours and contractions hadn't started yet.  If contractions did start then I could continue laboring at home until I was ready to go in.  I ended up being GBS+ though and in that case they usually want you to come in right away if your water breaks.

sschwege

katcarls:

Recommendations seem to vary by provider.  My MW wanted me to come in if it had been 12-18 hours and contractions hadn't started yet.  If contractions did start then I could continue laboring at home until I was ready to go in.  I ended up being GBS+ though and in that case they usually want you to come in right away if your water breaks.

I think this is a good recommendation.  Also if the water wasn't clear I would personally go in right away. 

abell77

No, you don't have to rush in right away, but do check to be sure the fluid is clear otherwise you will want to go in soon.  I would wait and see how your contractions develop.  Take your temperature regularly, and no baths and nothing in the vagina that could increase the risk of infection and you should be fine.

kmz885

My water broke on Friday at around 4pm. I didn't go to the hospital until 10pm, mostly because my husband wanted to make sure that nothing happened since my water had broke. However, I didn't feel any contractions between 4 and 10  (even though, according to the contraction monitor, I was having them). I didn't really start to feel them until around 1 - 2am, started having strong contractions around 5am, and I gave birth to our daughter at 7:58am on Saturday.

 

As long as you don't do anything that can cause an infection in the vaginal area, you should be fine waiting a bit longer. If you notice intense contractions though, I would get to the hospital quickly.  

StacieJane

I think it's something like less than 15 percent of women have their water break as a start to labor. So your chances of going into labor first are pretty good.