The expression "breaking of the waters" indicates the laceration of the sac full of amniotic fluid in which the child is. This is a phenomenon that usually occurs early in labor. You may feel that all the liquid suddenly flows out of the vagina or that it comes out slowly at intervals. If you are not sure if this is the case, go to the hospital and see a gynecologist. Based on the circumstances, the doctor will consider whether it is necessary to break the waters and induce labor. Don't try to do this alone, though: the pregnancy must continue naturally, unless there is a risk to your health or that of the baby.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Leave the task of breaking the waters to the gynecologist
Step 1. Let your doctor do this if necessary
He may advise you to manually break the waters and thus induce labor; this technique is called amniotomy and can only be performed if the cervix is dilated and the baby is already in the pelvis in the right position for birth. The operation consists of inserting a probe through the vagina with a hook on the bottom that serves to puncture the amniotic sac. When this breaks, you should feel the liquid start flowing.
- The procedure might make you uncomfortable, but it shouldn't harm either you or the baby. During the surgery the heartbeat of the unborn child will be monitored.
- This technique is generally used only to induce labor when there is a specific reason that prevents the use of other methods, such as the administration of prostaglandins. This solution is chosen, for example, when the pregnant woman experiences very long or frequent contractions.
Step 2. Learn to recognize when the waters break
Each woman can experience it in a totally different way. Some expectant mothers have a noticeable discharge of blood or fluid, while others may have difficulty recognizing the condition. If you're unsure, call a doctor or midwife. When the waters break you might try:
- Sensation of moisture in the vagina and on undergarments.
- Intermittent leaks of fluid. It may be difficult to distinguish it from passing urine.
- A continuous but minimal flow.
- A sudden and unmistakable leak of fluid from the vagina.
Step 3. Don't try to induce labor on your own
Scientific studies indicate that the remedies traditionally suggested to trigger it are usually ineffective. These include:
- Acupuncture.
- Homeopathy.
- Castor oil.
- Enemas.
- Warm baths with ginger oil. This remedy has not been shown to be effective in reducing the duration of labor. Do not take ginger oil by mouth, as it increases the risk of bleeding.
- Having sexual intercourse. Having sex does not cause problems for the mother or the unborn child, if this happens before the waters break. After this event, however, you should abstain, as it will increase the risk of infection.
Part 2 of 2: Assessing the Risks and Benefits of Induced Labor
Step 1. Ask your gynecologist why you should undergo this procedure
Labor should generally only be induced when there is a valid clinical reason and to ensure your health and that of the baby. Here are some examples:
- The mother is past the forty-second week of gestation and shows no symptoms of labor.
- The mother has a uterine infection.
- The baby is not developing sufficiently.
- There is not enough amniotic fluid in the sac.
- The placenta is separating from the uterine walls and / or is starting to degrade.
- The mother has diabetes or hypertension.
Step 2. Don't rely on planned induction
Some women want to schedule their due dates in advance and undergo this practice, however, bodies such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists do not recommend it. Here are some of the risks it entails:
- If your cervix isn't dilated enough, you'll need to undergo a caesarean section.
- Manual rupture of the amniotic sac increases the risk of infections.
- Inducing labor increases the chances of the umbilical cord slipping into the vaginal canal before the baby does. If this were to happen, the baby would put pressure on the umbilical cord by cutting off the supply of oxygen available to him during delivery. This is a very dangerous situation for the unborn child.
Step 3. Accept that you cannot decide to induce labor
There are situations where a cesarean delivery is needed instead of a vaginal one. Under certain circumstances, manually breaking the water is unsafe for either you or the baby:
- The position of the placenta or the baby makes natural childbirth dangerous. For example, the placenta could block the cervix or the baby could be positioned incorrectly. If the unborn child has taken a transverse position in the uterus, vaginal birth cannot be induced.
- There are doubts about your physical ability to endure the birthing process. For example, the vaginal canal may be too small for the unborn child to pass through, or the uterus may be weakened due to previous operations or caesarean sections, with a consequent high risk of tissue rupture.
- You have genital herpes and the infection is active.
