My water broke 68 hours ago!

Hi folks!

I'm 39 weeks and one day. On Saturday at 7pm or so (approx 68 hours ago) my water broke while I was in the kitchen. It didn't "pop" or gush out, just started trickling nonstop, and has been leaking on/off every few hours since then. We could see little flecks of vernix in it! And nobody ever told me this, but amnio fluid smells like semen!

Anyway - the midwifery where I go (owned by the hospital, so, some of their protocols are mainstream-medical-ish) said most women will go into labor by 72 hours. They referred me to their backup ob-gyn practice, where one of the doctors basically told me she wanted to do a c-section immediately (it hadn't even been 48 hours yet when I went to see her, and she didn't even ask me questions about my health). NO way is someone going to cut out the baby just because my water broke. She went on and on about how my baby will be born brain dead and/or actually dead because of infection risks, and that my only chance to have a healthy baby is getting a c-section immediately. She also had a nurse take my temp, which felt like a half-assed procedure and the nurse quickly said "99.0 degrees!" and went away, and then the Dr. decided that meant I had a FEVER, even after I pointed out that pregnant women have elevated temps (esp me, during the past 9 months). She said "we never see 99 degrees, it means infection. You need this baby out."

So I practically ran screaming from there, I'm back home and sick of the medicalization of birth. I am NOT GBS(strep) positive. I am full-term. I am young-ish (30) and healthy and hydrated. I am not taking baths or sticking anything up into the vajayjay. The fluid is clear, except for a few red streaks of mucus on the first day. I do not have a temperature. We check the baby's heartbeat every few hours and he's always 130-155 range. He kicks me after I eat or when I try to sleep.

SO - I can't even research outcomes for women like me. EVERYONE seems to get induced or c-sectioned these days! My partner's grandmother said she leaked fluid for 5 days before her first child was born! Am I crazy to wait? There is no evidence-based reasoning for the alarm of "increased infection" after water breaks that I can find, it's arbitrary at best and based on malpractice insurance protocol. Oh, and I had to refuse a pelvic exam SEVERAL times by that stupid doctor - telling her I did not want them because THAT is how bacterial infections start!

Also, I cannot be induced, because I have a prior uterine surgical history (too risky for rupture issues). I've tried other home remedies though, but we think baby is just taking his time. AND - there was a storm last Saturday (a change in barometric pressure has been shown to cause waters to break) and I had sex one hour before the water started leaking out. I also lost a good sized mucus plug a week and a half ago.

Thoughts? Anybody know of other natural-minded people who didn't intervene with baby's birth time?

Thanks. I'm still pissed off at the Dr. who told me my baby was basically dead. Awesome pep talk.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jeanie Cig on June 6, 2012 at 9:53am

Why didn't the midwifes take care of you? Can you get in touch with an independent midwife?

No advice here, but sending lots of love. Our babies come when they are ready!!! :)

Permalink Reply by Lolita on June 6, 2012 at 11:16am

The midwifery just said that I would typically start contractions in 72 hours, and referred me to the ob-gyn just for a consult and to check my temp/baby heartbeat/etc. I'm sure they'll call soon... they are a group run through the hospital, and they are the only midwifery that is covered in the county by state insurance (Oregon Medicare/OHP). I don't have money for an independent midwife :(

Permalink Reply by Angela Camp on June 6, 2012 at 10:07am

Good for you refusing the vaginal exams, no matter how well they sanitize their hands, that won't stop bacteria from the outside of your vagina or vaginal canal get pushed up to your cervix. Also, I'm sure you know amniotic fluid is constantly being replenished. I had my baby on the 25th, and had a spontaneous rupture of membranes without any accompanying contractions. Same with my first child. I kick started contractions with an orgasm:) maybe try that?

Permalink Reply by Lolita on June 6, 2012 at 11:17am

Tried! A few times :(

Awww congrats Angela!

Permalink Reply by Angela Camp on June 6, 2012 at 12:09pm

Thank you!

Permalink Reply by Angela Camp on June 6, 2012 at 10:15am

Oral prostaglandins are more effective at causing cervical changes than vaginal, speaking from research and personal experience... I don't want to get too explicit and offend but semen is full of prostaglandins, in fact they extract it from pig semen for pharmacy.

Permalink Reply by Angela Camp on June 6, 2012 at 10:18am

Have you been experiencing braxton hicks or practice contractions throughout the latter part of your pregnancy?

Permalink Reply by Lolita on June 6, 2012 at 11:18am

Lots! Since February, actually. And the past few weeks they've been more intense than usual.

Permalink Reply by Angela Camp on June 6, 2012 at 12:08pm

That is reassuring. As long as the fetal heartrate is within range and you feel good, I would not be too worried.

Permalink Reply by evilday on June 6, 2012 at 10:36am

Well, if it's leaking and it didn't break, the amniotic sac can still heal up. Your water can leak fairly early on in the pregnancy, and if it's too early for the baby to be born you'll be put on bedrest. In this case, it may be in the process of breaking, or it may just be leaking. The fact that you lost your plug, you're leaking fluid, yet you're not even in early labor is interesting. I'll guess that it's your first pregnancy :) You ARE at a higher risk of infection if your water breaks or leaks, that much is true, so take care down there, no more sex, and if you are getting cornered or possibly threatened about a c section you may try specific herbs that your midwives should be able to advise you on to begin labor. If not, consult an herbalist in your area OR read Susan Weed's Childbearing Year and get your labor going. Probably not a popular opinion on this particular forum, but as a Master Herbalist I know that in cases like this herbs can save lives.

Permalink Reply by Lolita on June 6, 2012 at 11:21am

Thanks - I have been looking up herbs to use! The higher risk of infection is about one percent higher than if the waters didn't break, so, I'm not going to be scared into believing I'm killing my baby.

It's definitely broken - there was over a cup of fluid the first time, with vernix and tiny hairs in it, and continued to leak out in strong spurts for several hours the first day. I'm still leaking fluid on/off, so, nothing has resealed. Yes, first baby :)

And yes to the above, I believe babies come when they are ready!

Permalink Reply by Angela Camp on June 6, 2012 at 12:41pm

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/prom.html, this link has some helpful info relevant to your situation.