I just wanted to add, because it's a fear many women have after it's happened once, that despite what Obs insist, over 90% of women whose waters have broken will go into labour WITHOUT augmentation within 72 hours (NOT will have given birth, will have begun labour!). So if your waters happen to break early again (they probably won't!) it is safe to wait - by all means be monitored, by all means let them check you for fever and follow your instincts on how things are "going" but don't be bullied into an induction you don't want or need.

Top tips for broken waters/no contractions:

Attend to physical problems which might be stalling you - if you are hungry - eat, if you are thirsty - drink, if you are tired - rest. The body and baby will want the best circumstances, these could be positional (will get to that in a sec) but they can also be physical in terms of your body knowing what you're facing will be too much unless you eat/drink/sleep.

Attend to emotional problems which might be stalling you. Get DH or your Doula or Mum or good friend and explore any nagging things you have going. If you have a lot of fears talking them through and formulating an action plan can really make a difference - early adrenalin from fear inhibits labour, so it's a great time for a vent, a cry or a hug - whatever helps you get to a calm place emotionally. You might find if this happens you'll have fears based on the previous delvery - that is GREAT - it's an opportunity to review everything you've learned since and all your action plans this time.

Sometimes baby won't begin labour in earnest until a good position has been achieved in your pelvis. Appreciate that for bubs it can be much harder to move without the cushion of waters, and you might need to help. Walk slowly up and down stairs to bring bubs head into contact with your cervix - this aids the release of oxytocin which kicks labour off and "rocks" your pelvis which can help baby wriggle about. Crawl about on the floor (gardening knee pads are a welcome prop for this!), this allows gravity AND your rocking pelvis to draw baby into an anterior presentation.

Remember to rest frequently - the idea is to remain active without exhausting yourself.

Do not allow ANYONE to put anything (speculum, fingers, hand, ANYTHING) inside your vagina. It won't tell them anything they need to know (women don't suddenly crown with no contractions) and will introduce and increase the risk of infection each and every time it is done.

In hospital do not accept augmentation - it leads to epidural for SO many women as it is so painful and if baby is malpositioned it will probably cause more problems than it will prevent. Bear in mind that you may need to have antibiotics if you get a fever - that is fine. Once 72 hours have passed with you active and using your techniques THEN and only then is it time to discuss further options with the Ob.

Bx