As delivery approaches, many pregnant women have such worries. What to do if your amniotic water breaks early… Let\’s solve these \”what ifs\” about the due date now, which may eliminate your worries.
What should I do if my water breaks prematurely?
Most women\’s water breaks during the first stage of labor, when the cervix is almost fully dilated. However, premature water breaking is also the first sign that labor is imminent in about 15% of women. It may come out a lot at once or just a little, so even if you\’re not sure if your water broke, it\’s best to call your doctor or get tested right away.
If your water breaks prematurely and you have no other symptoms or problems, your doctor will usually recommend waiting 48 hours. Giving birth within 48 hours of your water breaking can reduce the risk of infection because once your water breaks, the protective barrier between your fetus and vaginal bacteria is gone. You can\’t wait too long.
Don\’t worry, most women will choose to wait after their water breaks, and natural contractions will usually begin within 48 hours. However, some expectant mothers have their water break prematurely and need artificial help. If there are no signs of labor within 48 hours, labor will need to be induced.
There are many ways to induce labor. Some hospitals will insert a gel or suppository containing prostaglandin-like gel or suppository into the mother\’s vagina to induce labor. It can promote cervical ripening and stimulate uterine contraction. Your doctor may also be able to induce contractions by injecting synthetic oxytocin.
Fetal position is not how to do?
The ideal fetal position during delivery is \”cephalic\” – head down, with your back to you. If the baby\’s chin is hidden in your arms, it is more conducive to a smooth delivery than if the baby\’s head is straight. In the last few weeks of pregnancy, doctors can determine the position of the fetus by feeling the mother\’s belly. If the fetus is in breech position, that is, the buttocks are facing down, the doctor will teach you a set of gymnastics to adjust the fetal position. The success rate of this method is about 60%, but if the fetal position has not been adjusted by the time of delivery, a cesarean section may be required.
What should I do if the cervix cannot be opened?
The first stage of labor, that is, the cervix is very slow before it opens three fingers, but it is not as simple as simply opening. The cervix becomes thinner as it opens, from thick to thin, as thin as paper. If you\’re in the first stages of labor and your waters haven\’t broken yet, your doctor will usually recommend waiting. This may weaken your will, but surgery may ultimately be needed if your doctor intervenes.
However, if the expectant mother has entered the second stage of labor (cervical opening is more than 3 fingers) and the speed of uterine opening is not stable enough (normally it should be 1 finger per hour), the doctor will first understand why the cervix is not opening. Is it because the fetus is in an incorrect position, the contractions are not strong enough, or the mother-to-be’s posture for exerting force is incorrect? Sometimes doctors use oxytocin to speed up labor.