My waters ruptured spontaneously at 3am. Contractions began slowly afterwards (i'd been sleeping and think i'd been having painless tightenings for a few hours before then). By 9.30am ctx were one in 10-12 for 40-50seconds. By midday ctx were one in 5 for 60. At 2.30pm 11.5 hours after the waters broke ctx were one in 3 for 90 and i was 2-3cm dilated and 50% effaced. I gave birth at 6.20pm with one push (after roaring to avoid pushing for nearly 3 hours). My waters rupturing early didn't make the time from then to birth particularly short, but equally my "real" labour was so short anyway, what difference would breaking the waters have made for me?

I think for SOME women in SOME situations it CAN help, but only an experienced midwife who KNOWS the woman is in a position to make that call. It can potentially do more harm than good and should therefore be undertaken with consideration and caution.