*UPDATE* Please give me advice! I have to make a decision by the morning!

[mommy2olivia]

Our son, Liam Anthony, was born on June 5th at 12:17 pm. He weighed 8 lbs 10.3 ounces-- just .4 ounces less than his big sister. He's 22 inches long. We got home last night.

I didn't have to end up making this decision because I went into labor on my own a few hours after posting! I am so glad I didn't have to go in and have my water broken because once it did, the contractrions were agonizing.

When I get the chance, I will write a proper birth story, but for now, let me just say that my midwife said mine was one of the strangest births she's seen. Although I went into labor on my own Wednesday night, things did not move quickly at all, anything but in fact, which surprised me consideringhow dilated I was to begin with. My MW finally broke my water after hours of labor to get things moving because not much was happening. I didn't think pain like that was possible. He didn't even drop into the birth canal until minutes before coming out, so he has a pretty shaped head. :goodvibes: There was meconium in the amniotic fluid and the cord was wrapped around his neck, although not tightly. He was also in a posterior position and didn't turn until he was coming out. I am proud that I had my completely natural Bradley birth, which is probably the only thing that saved me from a C-section. I don't think I could've pushed him out if I'd had an epidural. I labored in ever position imaginable to get him to come down and turn.

Thank you so much for your advice. Most of you were not for induction by breaking your water, and I can see why. I'm so glad I went into labor on my own, even if it was slow. At least my body chose the right time for things to start.

Here's our little guy:

http://WWW.TEATOPIA.NET/archives/Liam_PRO copy.jpg


And here's me and my 2 year old with baby Liam:

http://WWW.TEATOPIA.NET/archives/Girls_n_Liam.jpg













Ok, so here's my situation. I am 39.5 weeks pregnant with my 2nd. I have been 5 cm dilated for a week and 80% effaced. My cervix is VERY soft like someone who is in active labor. My cervix was still very posterior until today and now it's only slightly (but that's common with 2nd baby-- many cervixes don't move to the front until active labor). Baby boy is at -2 station. I've been at least 3 cm dilated for weeks. I've even lost some weight in the last week which I know can be a sign. I've had TONS of BH contractions, but nothing regular or terribly painful. My membranes were stripped this morning, although not vigorously. I had cramps and contractions for a while afterwards, and now nothing more this afternoon/evening that I wasn't already having before.

I can't imagine how/why I haven't gone into labor yet???? My midwife is very natural, but she has suggested that I go into the hospital tomorrow (if I want) and she'll break my water to get things going. She's concerned that if I continue to dilate, the baby might come a little too fast when ever it does happen. We're not that close to the hospital. I'm pretty naturally minded and am planning a natural birth using what we learned at our Bradley class. I don't like the idea of having my water broken, but at least it's not pitocin or something more invasive. It does however give me only about 24 hours for the baby to come out. My midwife thinks if she breaks my water and gets me walking, I'll have no problems. I get BH all the time when I walk. Still though, there's a big part of me that just doesn't want the intervention, but I trust her. I also want it over already. I've been on pins and needles for a few weeks. I also have gestational diabetes.

I keep praying this baby will come out on his own, but good grief, how couldn't it have happened yet??? Just how long can someone stay 5 centimeters dilated without going into real labor?

Please offer me some advice. Has anyone been in a similar situation? What would you do?

[Griffinsmom]

I walked around at 5-6cms with baby #2 for almost 2 weeks. I feel your pain. I find labor much more painful with my water broken so I wouldn't choose that route. They always have to break my water at the end because it doesn't break itself and then it HURTS.
I hate to suggest this, but how about some good old fashioned $e x , walking, eat a pineapple. I'd have my babysitter for child #1 at the ready, but I wouldn't go for having my water broken unless the baby needed to come out NOW.

[Shyla]

Id be tempted to leave it alone. Ive had my water broken everytime and the contractions went from ok to really really bad. This time I am going for no intervention. Right now you are dialating and not in discomfort so why not have a nice unpainful labor for the most part. Id also try just being upright as long as possible and some nipple stim to help get things going. If you are really ready and dont want to wait though I could totally understand having your water broken :hugs:

[foodie.yarnie.mommie.]

I'm no help mama, but I will definitely say some prayers for that LO to come one his own soon!

[Babybug]

I had contractions very early on in my 3rd pregnancy. I was hospitalised 3 times to stop labor cause it was premature. They managed to get me to 40 weeks and I was dilated 4 cm and 70 % erased. Then my doctor did the stripping one morning. Nothing was happening during the day and finally my water broke at 2:45 am the next morning.......got to the hospital at 3:03 and the baby was out at 3:16 am.

I would probably go in for them to break my water if I were in your situation just because I would be scared for labor to go so fast.

Good luck and hang in there.....you're almost holding your baby !!!!:hugs:

[Jenette]

I haven't been there but you can try breast stimulation to get the natural pitocin going. That should kick start your contractions.

[abbi77]

What would I do??? Well, first I'd say try sex, but I couldn't really do that, considering I don't have a DH around, so I'd try an alternate method there, rofl (sorry if I have offended, lol), nipple stimulation could help (I've heard of some people breaking out the pump). I've heard pineapple can help, it certainly can't hurt, and then I would do some serious walking. Personally, my fear would be that if I went into the hospital & had my water broken, it would start the timer on that 24-hour window. That would just put me closer to pitocin, c-sections, etc, and that's not somewhere I want to go. When my water broke before labor started with #3, they wanted to start pit literally as soon as I got to the hospital, even though I wasn't having any contractions. I refused (the nurse told me she had to call the doc before she could "let" me refuse??? rofl. I'm a nurse. As a patient, I can refuse anything I want) and proceeded to walk for the next 3 hours to get things going.

(((hugs))) and best of luck. I'm betting that since you have until tomorrow to make a decision, something's going to happen tonight. :) Can't wait to hear your birth story!!

[Mommy/4boys]

I was 5 cm dilated with my middle son at 37 weeks and decided to have my water broken because we were worried that I wouldn't make it to the hospital in time to deliver. I am an hour to an hour and half from the hospital so I felt that it was the right thing to do to. My son was born 3 hours after my water was broken. With my youngest I was about 4-5 cm dilated for about a month fighting PTL. My dr decided to break my water again because on the fast delivery I had with my middle. He was born about 7 hours later.

[titania]

i would wait.

[Jordan]

I think I would wait. My water broke on it's own with DS #2 and after 5 hours with no contractions they had to start pit.

[togg_mama]

no way.

[marymom]

you have gotten some great advice mama!! :hugs: s*x is what broke my water, lol.
i've also heard about eating eggplant parm. :goodvibes:

[mokai0407]

I would wait, at least a little longer......

[RebekahG77]

I'm with the waiting crowd.

[joy7s]

okay I kind of agree with the pp's water breaking does make labor harder and hurt more.. i had it broken with the first and my second the midwife went to check me and it just broke in her face ;) anyhow it was less that 30 min after mine broke that I had my second... so it's up to you hth

[patricianaps]

I would say wait, however, I have read that with gestational diabetes there is an increased risk of stillbirth if you carry too long.

And those babes tend to be larger, which can lead to a ceasarean or tearing. I would trust your midwife first. If you are carrying a big babe, and she is worried about babe coming "too fast," there is probably a legitimate reason she is bringing it up, kwim?

Although medically unassisted labor is ideal, remember that the goal is a healthy baby and healthy mama! And although interventions are overused at this time, there are still medically legitimate reasons to accept assistance.

[Katherine]

Personally, I would not have my water broken, simply b/c it starts the 24 hour clock. I'm not in your position, though, so I can't know all your circumstances. I would def. try alternative means of induction first, b/c if one does work, then hey, you've avoided the intervention and given yourself a better shot at a natural birth. I mean, say you have s^x, then go for a walk. then eat some pineapple...and it doesn't work. Well, at least you tried, nothing lost, nothing gained. If you have your water broken and things don't start fairly quickly, that's def. something lost, kwim?

[DivineNature]

I'd be tempted to get a GOOD night sleep tonight-as good as you can anyway. Then first thing in the morning DTD and get ready for the hospital.
Drive to town-or close to the hospital- and walk the park or mall or whatever. You could even go walk the halls of the hospital. :giggle: See if you can get things going on their own.

My water never breaks until the baby crowns or I push and I like it that way. But, you need to do what feels right for you!

Good luck and easy labor vibes! :goodvibes:

[spunkyhomeschoolmom]

I would wait. You really have two weeks on either end of your due date to be within "normal" range and breaking your water will immediately make your contractions painful like the other mama's said. Give the baby and your body more time to do it's thing. Just because you are 5cm doesn't necessarily mean the other five will come in a snap, unless you are really really far away from the hospital, I would just keep the GD under control, not worry, and walk as much as possible. Can't wait to hear the birth story and see pics!:goodvibes:

[BlessedwithBlue]

Another vote for waiting. I'd be nervous that if your ctx don't start you are in the hospital and now on the clock, next they will want to start pit and then it spirals from there.
I understand being nervous about an unplanned unassisted homebirth, so jmo but if you do decide that you want to wait why not study up on planned uc. That way if you aren't able to make it the hospital on time you are at least prepared and not fearful. If you are interested in looking into uc just in case I would recommend checking out http://www.purebirth-australia.com/ and also the online version of Emergency Childbirth is: http://www.umbrellanoize.com/stuff/Emergency%20Childbirth.pdf
Good luck with your decision and I hope you have a wonderful birth no matter what you decide to do!:goodvibes:

[sisterof10]

I would wait too. I like the suggestion of DTD, eating pineapple (which has worked twice for me), and then driving somewhere near the hospital to walk around. That way you have the peace of mind of being there, even though you're not there with the stopwatch on you.

[OneFabMama]

I wouldn't...

[camdensmommy]

I would wait.

[MomsHelpingMoms]

I think the only thing I would feel safe trying would be pumping to get my own body's oxytocin going. If that doesn't work, my train of thought is that baby isn't ready. I believe they come when they are good and ready. If natural things like breast stimulation and sex don't work, then I would just hold out but that is me personally.

[JeDeeLenae]

I would wait. Yes, you can have a fast labor after your water breaks, but you can also have a stalled labor, and then need pitocin, etc. I'd give it a little more time. I bet you'll go into labor naturally in the next few days.

[Gwen]

IMO - DON'T DO IT. I stayed at 5 from 39 weeks to 42 weeks - I was at 8 and not in active labor when my midwife broke my water - baby came really fast and
had health problems because they came so fast - best to leave nature alone and just wait - for you and your baby.

I wish I wouldn't have waited at least a few more days - and you have tons of time!

Gwen

[jennylou]

Another vote for waiting.

[Mom2BabiesA&I]

I would wait too...I was 5cm for a week or so before DD came on her own and I was so excited that I got a fully natural birth with no interventions.

With DS my water was broken to induce me and the ctx were *significantly* more intense than this time around. My water didn't break with DD until it was time to push.

[sweety13]

Wait, but whatever you decide have a great birth mama!

[FinnegansMom]

Wait! I was induced to HBP at almost 41 weeks, very ready to go into labor on my own, and the labor stalled and I ended up with pitocin and a very hard and long birth. Breaking your water is an induction. I would wait. I wish I had.

[caricandothis]

Yes, another vote for waiting. I'd try some nip stim, lots of walking, lots of visualizing and lots of calming, relaxing "pep" talks with yourself. Your body has its own time frame, trust it! Hugs, mama. You can do this!

[breakfastsurreal]

wait it out. Some mamas don't naturally go into labor until 42 weeks...your baby will come when he/she is ready

[rachaeljohnson]

my water broke with lor and labor was still 20 hours...and i was 4cm for about 2 weeks prior to her being born...they really wanted to use pitocin but i convinced dh to do nipple stim instead...which worked...but it was a long, unbearable, horrifyingly painful, SLOW labor. I mean 20 hours when i started at 4 was just not what i was expecting...I have heard water breaking makes labor more intense and i am praying next time things are different. You are only 39.5 weeks...i would just wait! I was 41+when i had Lor. They come when they are done...:)

[mengmommy]

I wouldn't have my water broken either...especially with a -2 baby...maybe if he was down lower...but probably not still. That said, I was at 5cm for several days with dd (and 4cm for a week, 2-3cm for a few weeks before that) and I would check my cervix and stretch it a little, sweep the membranes, have sex, nurse ds, etc.

[Mamatoabunch]

What if you didn't know what position baby was in, how dilated you were, etc. Then what? There is a reason baby has not arrived yet, but certainly will soon.

[AutumnMama]

I walked around at 5-6cms with baby #2 for almost 2 weeks. I feel your pain. I find labor much more painful with my water broken so I wouldn't choose that route. They always have to break my water at the end because it doesn't break itself and then it HURTS.
I hate to suggest this, but how about some good old fashioned $e x , walking, eat a pineapple. I'd have my babysitter for child #1 at the ready, but I wouldn't go for having my water broken unless the baby needed to come out NOW.

I agree, contractions went from painful to completely agonizingly unbearable when DD's water broke.

And they do NOT need to break your water! Both of my DS's were born in their sacs; it broke while they were coming out.

I would not let them break my water if my babe was high like that either, there is a much higher chance of cord prolapse, and that can be life threatening.

[titania]

just wondering what you decided. hope all is well either way. :hugs:

[robertribeye]

Got a tread mill? break it out and dust it off hun. Sex is always great, never comfortable at 39 weeks though. Sperm is supposed to help I have heard. Are you nesting? I was on all floors scrubbing and jogged on my tread mill for hours for 3 days in a row. And I was like you, but by the time I felt it coming I was at a 7 and could have spent more time at home, but DH was ready to go. I vote no. let it come. Pit is horrible and you don't want to go that route IMHO. It made my labor unbearable. I bet you go on your own 2 days past your duedate hun. Good luck.

[topazdodge]

Well, I was going to reply to say wait, but then I looked at your profile and you haven't been on here at all today, so I have to think you'll be back in a few days with pics of a new baby. Hope it all goes well for you! :hugs:

[momof3plus1]

I am not sure if you already went in labour or not since you posted over a day ago but I do have advice on here. If it doesn't help you I hope it helps others. I was told by a midwife that she induces her patients naturally by using a breast pump for 15 minutes. It helped my cousin go into labour and she says it has worked every time she has done this to her other mommy's which has been alot. Its worth the try and at least you wont have to get your water broken.

[EricaLynn]

Wait:)

[mommy2olivia]

Update in original post!

[topazdodge]

YAY:yay:! Congratulations!

[titania]

oh he's gorgeous!! :goodvibes: congrats on your new baby! and on having the strangest birth ever! :giggle2:

[Bunny]

He's beautiful!! I'm so glad you started labor on your own! :goodvibes:

[abbi77]

He's adorable!!! Congratulations!!!