Waters breaking early

[Antheia]

With my previous labours both times my waters have broken at around the 2cm mark. The first was before labour started but i was being induced and had the gel put in several hours before my waters broke and the second labour had been going on for about 30 minutes and then they broke.

Is there anything i can do to stop them from breaking so early? And is there a reason why they do? I would rather have them break when labour is fully established first if i can help it.

[blue daisy]

nope nothing you can do

they break when they break

things that can influence when ur waters break
position and depth of your baby's head
the strenght of your membranes
how quickly you open (dilate) and the strenght of your surges (contractions)
medical intervention

[Antheia]

So could it be the fact both my babes have been over 9lb and engaged since 28-30 weeks?

[Neenee Jellybeanie]

My waters broke at just over 38 weeks, I had a 9lb baby. The midwives said that it was probably due to the pressure of my constant sneezing, coughing and nose-blowing (I had the flu) that caused the pressure, and then the final nose-blow (when my waters broke) just tipped it. My DD wasn't engaged when my waters broke, either. Also, I wasn't dilated at all.

I think it's just one of those things that can't really be helped, but once it happens its best to move around to help get the labour going so you don't end up needing the gel or other induction methods.

[Tobily]

My first labour started with PROM at 36 weeks.

When I got pregnant the second time I was worried about this happening again, did a bit of research and found that taking vitamin C throughout pregnancy can make the amniotic membrane a bit "tougher" (vitamin c is linked to collagen production and quality).

FWIW I did it, and the second time no issues with PROM at all and I got to 38 weeks. Obviously that's purely anecdotal but who knows, it might have helped. Perhaps it would help your membranes hang in there a bit longer when labour start as well.

There have actually been a few studies on it though, have a google.

[~clover~]

With DD1 my waters broke first. Over an hour before contractions started.
With DD2 they had to break them just before she was born.
With DS they broke about an hour into a 5 hour labour. No idea how dialated I was, but about 3 hours in I was 5cm.

There is no guarantee the same will happen this time around.

[Antheia]

Thanks. I'll have a look at those studies about the Vit C.

[Jaycee]

Hi Antheia
May be a stupid question, but I'm just wondering why you want to stop them breaking before established labour? Is there a benefit in this as I would really love to know if there is!
Thanks!

[Antheia]

Because i don't want to be put on a timer of when labour starts after waters breaking. Even though i am having a homebirth and there is hardly any pressure unlike in a hospital, there is still a risk of infection if labour hasnt started within so many days.

[blue daisy]

hey Antheia

most women will go into labor naturally if their membranes have ruptured pre labor within 48hrs

the research I have found states that there is no increased risk of infection to mother and baby during this time period

interventions such as vaginal examinations will increase your risk of infection with ruptured membranes

[Antheia]

I was more worried about a longer labour again taking me past the 48hrs. Last time it was 37 hours.

[Ellibam]

antheia what is your m/ws (i dont wan tto say policy but ykwim) stand on internals? like bluedaisy said there is no risk of infection if the area stays sterile.
so save the bath until you in labour, no internals until your in labour.
remember vaginas are self lubricating there is no actual Dry birth either.
so if you keep things out of there no infection will get in there!
also this time your less likely to be clock watching(homebirth is great for that)
just go with the flow!

[Antheia]

They dont do internals. They have given me information on how to do it myself properly if i really want to know.