When your water breaks, how many hours do you have to give birth to the baby (naturally) before birth defects set in? I thought it was 24 hours but I am not sure. I have heard some women do not go to the hospital right when there water breaks and cause problems. Does anyone have a clue?
2007-01-30 06:15:43 · 14 answers · asked by kim 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
It's hospital policy that they like you to have the baby within 24 hours of your water breaking to reduce the risk of infection to baby- it wont necessarily cause birth defects, it just makes the baby sick- and sometimes quite seriously.
If baby is looking good and mom is making progress they usually Let mom continue laboring- they don't make mom do a c-section as soon as the clock chimes 24 hours.
Some women don't go to the hospital right away and that is completely their choice and their right to do so- their babies are in no more danger of infection than a woman who goes to the hospital right away.
The placenta can heal itself so if there are small tears usually a little bed rest is all that is needed and then mom can wait until baby is ready to be born when he's ready.
Some women who have tears in the bag early, but too early for a healthy baby to be born will be put on bed rest in the hospital to watch for complications. the amniotic fluid renews itself several times every hour so there is no need to worry about the water "running out"
2007-01-30 07:48:06 · answer #1 · answered by mlcacek 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water doesnt normally break like they show in the movies. Most women go into labor first and the doctor breaks the water or the water breaks during labor. If your water leaks or breaks first then there is a 24hr window to give birth. There is risk of infection so they will do few exams when you make it too the hospital.
2007-01-30 14:21:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
After your water breaks, the doctors will want you at the hospital and they will give you 12 hours from the time your water broke before inducing labor. Most of the time, your body will go into labor on it's own, but after 12 hours if your body won't do it on it's own, they'll start it for you to avoid a risk of you getting an infection.
2007-01-30 14:23:52 · answer #3 · answered by bluegrass 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I found this : During pregnancy, the membranes help protect the baby and the amniotic fluid. Once the membranes break or start to leak, germs can get in and cause an infection. That's why you need to call your healthcare provider if you think your bag of water has broken. Labor normally starts within 24 hours of the water breaking. If labor doesn't start, your healthcare provider may induce labor. "Inducing labor" means starting your contractions with a drug called pitocin.
2007-01-30 14:24:23 · answer #4 · answered by ashley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not birth defects you're worried about, it's infection. The amniotic fluid engulfs your baby and protects him or her from potential infections. Once your water breaks, there's no longer a protective "shield," as now your baby has to make his or her way into the world. Therefore, you should deliver within 24 hours to minimize the risk.
My water broke around 1:30am, and my baby was born at 3:38 pm.
2007-01-30 14:22:46 · answer #5 · answered by LadyJag 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's different for everyone. with my first daughter, my water broke at home, and i just barely made it to the hospital in time to deliver less than an hour later. with my second daughter, i was induced, and when the doctor broke my water, i delivered about 10 minutes later. but i've heard of many women that don't deliver for many hours after their water broke. i think as long as it's within 24 hours, then there's a much lower risk of infection.
2007-01-30 14:26:35 · answer #6 · answered by LoriBeth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Waiting too long does not cause birth defects. You could develop an infection that could affect the baby. I think dr's generally say that if you don't go into labour within 24 hrs, then you have to be induced.
2007-01-30 14:22:15 · answer #7 · answered by finding_my_dream 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Infection can begin if more than 24 hours I believe. When my water broke I had my baby 3 hours later.
2007-01-30 14:21:07 · answer #8 · answered by Blondi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they don't let you go more than 24 hours. You need to go to the hospital as soon as your water breaks.
2007-01-30 14:28:28 · answer #9 · answered by Mom of 3 under 6 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when your water breaks you need to go to the hospital. some women get to the hospital and their doctor determines whether or not they're ready to have their baby. my sister's water broke on Dec. 28 and she didn't have my niece until Jan 1st. there weren't any birth defects.
2007-01-30 14:21:59 · answer #10 · answered by *~*Jon-Jon's Mommy!!*~* 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋