When the doctor breaks your water for you?

Question

I am going to be induced on Tuesday and the doctor will break my water for me. Will it hurt? I was going to try and hold out on the epidural as long as I could. I am so nervous. What does he use to break the water? His hand or what?

Answer 1

Hi there! Been in your shoes a few months ago and thought I would explain a few things. The doctor breaks your water with a long instrument and it didnt hurt at all (just some pressure) I wanted to hold out, but as soon as I felt the contractions after the doc broke my water I begged for an epidural. I am kind of a wimp though. The contractions, up untill you water breaks are easily bearable, but they are pretty extreme once the water breaks. I would suggest waiting until your water breaks to get the epidural. Dont be too nervous, I was an absolute nervous wreck and it turned out not to be bad at all. In fact, once I got the epi I didnt feel a thing, like before, just some pressure. So, dont worry you will be fine! Best of Luck

Answer 2

Mom of four daughters here...I had my water broken with two and had my water break on it's own for two. In case you are wondering, the second and the fourth needed their water broken.

Your doctor will slide his fingers in with the 'long crochet hook' between his fingers...this helps the doctor to protect the baby's head. Then he hooks the sac and tugs a bit until a hole is made. For me I could feel the tug...it felt odd but not painful...then there is a gush of water and usually labour starts promptly.

In my experience labour came quickly and was over quickly. With one of the times of getting my water broken I vomited several times in the beginning...a typical reaction for me since I used to vomit regularly with my periods.

The challenge with having your water broken for you is that you often don't get the gradual build up when everything begins on it's own. However, the most important thing for you to do is relax...I know it's not the easiest thing to do, but it is the one way you can stay in tuned with what is going on with your body. You really need to pay attention to your body, to be able to know how to respond...sounds weird, but your body knows what to do and you need to work with it not against it.

In the end, I have had natural childbirth with all four. So I do not have any experience with an epidural...I would just encourage you by saying your body is made for this, so unless there is something that you can't know about or change everything should move along fine.

Feel free to take charge...like ask exactly what the doctor is planning, including when and how...if you feel like getting up, moving or eating then do it...if you feel like pushing (you'll feel it) then say so...If things are slow walking and squatting can help move things along...

Answer 3

They use a little hook to break the water. If your body is really ready for labor, breaking the water will get things going in a jiffy! :) And best wishes on waiting for the epidural. Labors progress more quickly when epidurals aren't administered until at least 4 cm :)

Answer 4

Well if your water had broken when she was examining you then yes that would have been her fault most likely. Seeing as how it was a few days later, it was just pre-term labor. Your body wanted it to break and it broke. As for bleeding after an exam, perfectly normal! I bled at my 36 wk exam but not my 35th or 37th, it just depends. It is very possible for your water to break and you not be in active labor, they usually should wait close to 24 hours before trying to induce though, after 24 hours there is risk of infection and that results in a c-section!

Answer 5

They use this long thing with a hook on the end. You don't feel a thing. I was induced also with my first and declined an epidural. I was given pain medicine via IV only and I was fine. The thought of them messing with my spine freaked me out. Congrats and good luck!!

Answer 6

it didn't hurt me, it actually felt great.... however right after that was when the labor pains really started hurting me. but the break itself was a good feeling. after the break, that will problay be as long as you can hold out. for me, thay had the epidural schuduled for right after the break, tho it felt like forever (had back pain). they used a long pick with a hook on the end to break my water. it's not as bad as it sounds, probley nothing like you're imaging. i didn't even feel it going in.
good luck and don't go in being nervous and tense.

Answer 7

I had my waters broken (with a knitting-needle type stick with a hook on the end) and it did not hurt one bit, so don't worry about it at all. He/She will use their finger as a guide so there is no danger of hurting you. My labour progressed very quickly after that but gas and air is GREAT stuff!

I know its nerve-wracking but trust your body and the medical professionals around you. Follow their advice and if you need further pain relief then ask for it - there is no shame in it.

Good luck and get ready to meet your baby!!

Answer 8

My doctor broke my water with my son. It didn't hurt. He used a long thing with a hook on the end. It felt like I majorly peed on myself, but it didn't hurt. There are other medicines besides epidurals you can get. Talk to your doctor about your options.

Answer 9

It doesn't hurt to have your water break. They use a little tool maybe like a knitting needle? or so. It doesn't hurt breaking of the water it is so quick and simple and painless. Labor pains on the other hand..... Good luck and Congrats

Answer 10

no it doesn't really hurt the most you will feel is a poke or something. but it feel really weird when the water rushes out its almost hot. it make the pain allot worse. they use a long plastic thing it looks like a crochet hook. good luck. induced labor tends to be allot more painful than natural but also faster.