Did You Go into Labor on Your Own?

Yes, spontaneous labor and spontaneous ROM while pushing both times. With my first- 42w5d, with my second- 40w5d.

I suspect some caregivers don't wait around long enough with enough women to see very much of that happen on its own.

I went into labor all 3 times myself the first 2 water broke the last the OB was there in hospital broke my bag & she was here within minuetes.I never had to be induced

Yes, I went in to labor on my own- water breaking everything- with my second child. He came 13 days early. It was a lot easier than being induced with my first.

3 kids, all natural labors. Baby 2 and 3 born at home. I am also a homebirth midwife. Everyone will go into labor on their own if left alone. There are no women walking around who have been pregnant for years because labor never started. The medical community in this country though is just so anxious to induce every women who goes a few days over the so called "due date." This is just ridiculous. The main reason for it is because it ensures more money for the hospital. Hospitals are big business and inductions and c-sections bring them a lot more revenue than a run of the mill natural vaginal birth. Women need to demand their births back because they are currently owned by the doctors and the hospitals and this is wrong!

Yes. My water broke at home and I had her 6 hours later. That was my first. I just found out I'm pregnant again and I pray the first goes like the second. If your doctor is pressuring you to be induced or have a c section just because it's convenient find another doctor. Our bodies were meant to go into labor on their own regardless of the due date. It's natural and safe. God made women that way and his timing is right.

Yes I did although I was 41 weeks and had "relations" with my husband because my doctor was talking about inducing. The next morning I started having contractions at about 6:30 am. I'm not sure if the day before had anything to do with that, but I didn't have to be induced.The doctor had to break my water when I was dilated to a 9 and it hadn't happened yet. My sister's water did break on its own so you never know. just relax and congrat's!

My water broke on its own. My baby was born full-term but 11 days before their estimated due date. I was sitting on the couch at 10:00 at night and all of a sudden felt just a trickle of fluid. I walked to the bathroom and continued to feel this trickle and checked and it was clear liquid. I just had an on-and-off trickle like that, no sudden gush ever. About an hour later, contractions started and within a short time were coming 4 minutes apart! Baby was born at 8:00 the next morning.

Three times.

My water has only broken naturally the first time. I was 39w2d.

The doctor broke it with permission at like 8cm with my second pregnancy. I was 39w5d.

I actually asked for my water to be broken this last time. I felt like baby was "floating" too high in my pelvis and not coming down correctly so I requested the help. As soon as the water left and her head hit the canal, my little girl practically fell out! I was 40w5d based on LMP (which I took exception to the whole pregnancy and noone listened to me... based on conception she was 39w5d but that is a whole different story and not relavent to your question.)

Natural labor does happen. Don't stress and relax!
Good luck.
~C.

It's interesting to me to hear people say "my babies don't wanna come out"...or something similar...when they've only waited a few days past the due date. It's common knowledge that the estimated due date can be off by as much as two weeks, and yet so many people feel that baby should know that it's THE DAY and decide to come out RIGHT THEN. It's an arbitrary day - someone's best guess - doesn't your body know better? No one stays pregnant forever! lol

We're talking about a natural - THE most natural process - there is. Babies have been born since the beginning of time without mothers being administered Pitocin. Your body knows what to do and when. It is so concerning to me that the medical community feels the need to artificially accelerate this process. It is harmful to babies and moms. Giving Pit is like trying to pry open a vault before it's ready to be opened, hence the great potential for longer, more difficult labors. This is YOUR body and YOUR baby. Why does everything need to be on someone else's time table?

I think it is uncommon for your water to break on its own, but that doesn't mean that you won't go into labor on your own. The bag of waters is meant to cushion the baby's head and bones as he/she comes through the birth canal, so it may not necessarily break at the beginning of labor.

I went into labor on my own, labored at home for six hours (only light cramping, etc) by walking and stretching, as well as eating a bit for energy. That began at 7:00pm and I had my son naturally, without drugs, by 9:40am.

I really wish more women felt comfortable trusting themselves and their body's miraculous ability to birth. It's something that has been lost in our culture and turned over to doctors who may or may not have a respect and caring for the natural process. Please watch The Business of Being Born to find out why you should - and can! - take back this experience.

Sorry for the rant, I just feel so passionately about this. I think babies and moms deserve a lot better than they're getting!

Anyway - best of luck to you!!

Nobody stays pregnant forever. :-)

My longest pregnancy was exactly 42 weeks, and my shortest was 39 weeks and 5 days. Of my 5, only one started with my water breaking (at 40 weeks and 1 day).

Edited to add - Like another poster said, because induction is so popular, people get the impression that it's a "need" in the majority of cases. The same with rupturing membranes. With 2 of my babies, my bag stayed intact until they were crowning.

#1, scheduled c-section, 39 wks. #2, water broke @ 40 wks & 3 days.#3, scheduled c-section.

I am wondering the same thing :) I am 37 weeks with #3! I am attempting a VBAC. I had an augmented (pitocin/water broken) labor with #1 and vaginal delivery; had a failed induction and c-section with #2 (6" umbilical cord so he never came out)....and now asked my OB if we can go up to 2 weeks late with #3 to see if I go into labor on my own and do the VBAC (I still want another 2 kiddos and have 2 little ones at home so I would prefer a vaginal delivery)...otherwise, I need a repeat c-section because of the high risk of uterine rupture during induced VBAC. I am thinking of trying accupuncture induction if I go past my due date. Good luck to you!

Water broke with my first at 35 weeks. Surprise!

Went into labor with my 2nd at 37 weeks - contractions...they broke my water at the hospital.

congrats!!

My water broke on my own and I went into labor on my own.
I was 36 weeks.
=)

I had twins with my first pregnancy and never went into labor. Baby #3 will be born this summer and it will be a scheduled c-section. I'll be thrilled if I can make it through birthing three children and never feel a single contraction!

Went into labor on my own but had my water broken for me.

Went into labor and then had to have my water ruptured. But after about two more hours of labor my son came and only had to push for a half an hour :D

My water broke at 39 weeks with the first, but no contractions so I had to go in and get pitocin. My water broke at 37 weeks with the second baby, contractions started on their own and didn't need pitocin. I had my membranes stripped at 38 weeks with the third baby, and went into hard labor that night. Got to the hospital and was 6 centimeters. The OB broke my water an hour later, and out he came. It was so strange not having my water break at home the third time.

I was semi-induced with my first - scheduled induction for 42 weeks, went into labor spontaneously that morning but still had pitocin and had my water manually broken because things weren't moving along fast enough for the hospital's liking. Spontaneous labor at 39w6d and 39w0d with second and third but had my water manually broken with both, then induced at 37 weeks for my last delivery because it was twins.

Yes . First one at 40 weeks and second at 39 weeks. With my first, my water broke, but only trickled. Then at the hospital, they finished breaking my water to help me along. Wished I would have stayed at home and let nature do it's course, because breaking my water didn't help much. Where as with my second, I waited for my water to break, monitored my contractions, and then went to the hospital. Labor was easier and less stressful. Wish you the best! Congrats on the pregnancy.

Yes, with all 4, in my 39th week. And my water broke on its own for 3 of the 4. I don't think it is uncommon at all to go to labor on your own or have your water break on its own if you let nature takes its course.

I think you have a great chance of going into labor on your own. Each delivery is different!!

I went into labor on my own with both of my babies, my water also broke on it's own. WIth my first my water broke (more of a dribble really) and then labor started. With my second contractions had been going for several hours before the first gush. I haven't "heard" that it is uncommon...I have "heard" that docs like to do it to "progress" or "accelerate" labor...I know that left alone, it is very uncommon for a baby to be born with an intact sac or in the caul as it is called so I imagine that in normal labors where no one messes with it your water breaking is pretty common. Did that make sense? :)

Yup, with all 4 pregnancies, my water broke at 5 am and labor started later. My 4th was a day late, the others were 1-2 weeks early.

With my first one, it took 7 hours after my water broke for labor to start and they wanted to induce me. I talked them out of it. Good thing, too. Once labor started it only took 2 1/2 hours to delivery.

Kinda... I had a failed induction 2 days after my due date. (after 10 hours of picotin they sent me home...) Then a few days after that I did go into labor on my own. :)

Wow, sounds like most of the pp have gone into labor on their own so I will share my experience. First baby 3 days after due date I "sort of" went into labor on my own, but they still sped it up with pitocin. Second baby induced 3 days after due date-he was big almost 9 lbs. Third baby failed induction on her due date after about 10 hours of pitocin. Tried another induction 3 days later, also never progressed and wound up with c-section that time, she was wrapped in the cord. This time trying for a VBAC and praying I go into labor on my own. My babies just don't wanna come out! Good luck to you :]

I went to labor on my own..I had 38 weeks....

it was painful! i had almost 24 hours os "light" contractions before going into labor.....

I got into the hospital at 8:30 pm and my DS was born at 1:12 am on fathers day....so while mommy suffered, daddy got the best fathers day present ever!

my water never broke, the doctor broke it for me.....

good luck with everything!

Nope. I was induced with both. Preeclampsia with the first and elective induce with the second. I am a worrier and all ready being in the hospital was fine by me! My twon sisters water broke at home and was holding her first baby less than 3 hrs later! No such luck for me!

I was 3 weeks early and yes, my water broke on its own. I did not even feel any contractions before.

Once I was at the hospital I still did not feel the contractions for another 6 hours, even though they were registering as pretty high. I was in total disbelief. I kept telling everyone I was not feeling a thing..

#1 was INCREDIBLY overdue and had to be induced & #2 one of the twins was in distress and had to have immediate induction followed with an emergency section.

I went into labor on my own with first at 37 weeks, second at 38, and third at 34 weeks. My water broke with all of them and thats what kicked off each labor ( at least thats when I started feeling my labors)

Yes. I had both of my chidren at 40 weeks and 1 day. Amazing!

Each pregnancy is different...as you know....
I have 3 daughters...I went into labor on my own with the first and third...each one within a week or so of my "due date"...with my 2nd one...I used some natural methods....with my doctors knowledge and approval...to induce my labor because my husband was only home on weekends since was attending a military school during the week. I was at my due date...and was going to be medically induced within a week if I hadn't brought it on myself.
My water NEVER broke on it's own...it was always broken by the doctor after I was in the hospital and in active labor.

Both on my own. First time contractions (that I couldn't feel) by 26 weeks, delivered at 29 weeks (placenta abruption/lost all fetal movement&heartbeat & I was crashing) - they broke the water during the C-section. Second time I had an appointment at 36 weeks where I was monitored but everything ok, the fluid I was leaking wasn't the water however by that night I had gushes and contractions and a C-section the next morning!

My first pregnancy I was 39 weeks, 6 days and my labor started by my water breaking. I had also heard this was uncommon. My contractions started right away and were consistent getting more painful, no stalling. I had a relatively short labor at 7 hours. My second labor I was 40weeks, 2 days. Went into labor on my own, cramping started... 4 hours later baby was born. I know I am one of the "uncommon" birth stories.

Good Luck!

Yes, I did go into labor on my "own" lol... I was two days before my due date, but my water did not break. They broke it for me after being in labor for about 12 hours. Then things really sped up!!!

Only gave birth once, 40 years ago to an 8 lb, healthy girl. She was 17 days "overdue." I had a few contractions, then my water broke, and labor got intense.

Good luck on your third!

I was exactly like you, induced the first time and scheduled c-section the second time. Congratulations on your third!

My first went into labor at 38 weeks. Dr broke my water. My second weent into labor at 39 weeks and dr broke my water that time too. Currently pregnant and im sure ill go on my own again. : )

Hi Molly - Congratulations! I do hope you get to go into labor on your own this time! I went into labor 3 days before my due date with my first, but had my water broken by my OB to "speed things up a bit". My water broke with my second, also 3 days before my due date, before I started labor, but it was in "spurts" not a gush. I thought I had peed in my pants...but after the second "spurt" I figured it out :) Labor started soon after. With my third, I started labor almost 2 weeks before my due date, then my water broke - more of a trickle, as a previous poster also described, then labor really started and I almost didn't make it to the hospital in time. So every person is different and every labor/delivery/birth is different. It is both exciting and unnerving to not know what will happen or when. I do wish you a healthy, and pleasant pregnancy, labor and delivery.

I am on my third pregnancy too. I was overdue with #1 and so they induced. With #2 I was dilated a bit and my doctor didn't want me walking around like that so he induced me the day before my due date. I kinda want to see if this one will come on his own but who knows. I guess I will have to wait till August to see what happens.

I was induced with both kids. My first was late so I was induced the day after her due date. My 2nd, well he was a boy and I was uncomfortable and ready for him to "pop out". Unfortunately I knew that I was not going to go into labor on my own so I asked to be induced a few days early due to being so uncomfortable and surprisingly my Doc said yes. IF I go for a third I would want to be induced because that is all I know and frankly going naturally scares the heck out of me as I have never experienced it. My inducements were easy, smooth and fast!

I went into labor at 38 weeks with my first daughter and 39 weeks with my second. My water broke on its own before labor even started with my first. With both pregnancies I was fairly active right up until the end (walking, hiking, chasing a toddler) - I don't know if that had anything to do with it, but I think it might!

I went into labor nauturally with all 3. They were all born within the 38-39 week mark.
My first my water broke while I was in the shower getting ready to go out to get lunch and see a movie with friends. He was born about 9 hours later, most of that time I wasn't even feeling contractions.
My second was almost born in the car. I think his water broke while he was being born or just before. I went from sleeping to waking from a strong contraction to him being born is a few hours total.
My third my water broke just before or as she was being born as well. She was another super fast labor. We got there earlier this time because I started having bloody show even though I wasn't really feeling contractions. Since we had a drive and morning rush hour was getting very close we figured it was better to get there and hang out then wait it out at home and risk having her in the car stuck in rush hour traffic LOL
I'm glad I waited until they were ready to come out instead of forcing things along on someone else's schedule. My labors were short and fast and over and done with with minimal fuss and muss.

I was scheduled to be induced on a Monday at 41 weeks, but my water broke on its own Friday late afternoon! (first and only pregnancy) :)

i went into labor on my own. I woke up and had my bloody show. shortly after that i started having contractions. went to the hospital(about 50 minutes later)and as soon as i got my gown on and got up on the exam table my water broke on its own. 20 minutes after that i was 10cc and 7 pushes later my son was here. I walked my ENTIRE pregnancy. worked till i was 7 months. i dreaded having a long labor because it was first child but i got very lucky. i was 39 weeks when i went into labor.

With my first, I was 41 weeks and went in for an induction. The nurse did a pelvic since I had only been a 1 a couple of days before but was having quite a few contractions (unbeknownst to me!). I was a 3, and when she got done, my water broke. So kind of on it's own, but mostly because she checked me. And when it broke, it GUSHED. I had no idea there was that much fluid in there. I watched my stomach shrink from 9 mos to 6 mos in about 5 minutes. (Ended up having a C-section.)

With my second, the C-section was scheduled at 40 weeks, but my daughter and I were sick, so they postponed it til the following week on Monday. At 2am Friday night, my water broke. It felt like I peed my pants, so maybe a cup of liquid? I rode to the hospital on a stack of towels just in case after the first episode! :) But I don't really remember there being much the second time even after we got there. I'm sure it just didn't come out all at once.

Most people I know did not have their water break on their own. If they did, it was just a trickle.

Yes. :)
Best wishes to you!!! :)

I agree with the women who say that your body is MEANT to do this, and left alone, will! I was induced with my first after 40 weeks and had a HORRIBLE labor and delivery experience. I wasn't informed enough to put my foot down and make my own choices. I still have so many negative feelings about my oldest son's birth.
With my second, I went in to labor at 39 weeks, had a REALLY long (30 hr plus) natural labor at home. My water didn't break until 30 min before my son was born and thats because after 30 hours I was BEGGING my midwife to break my water. She finally agreed and my son was born soon after. Good Luck!

My water broke at 5am while I was sleeping. I was 34w6d. When I got to the hospital, I wasn't progressing so I was "induced" with Pitocin. 23 hours later - I pushed out a 6lb10oz baby boy!!

i was 37 weeks and my water started leaking @ home and so i went in to get checked and was only 2 cm and then I stood up and it completely broke on its own. Labor started at about 10:00 and dd was born @ 148 a.m.. Good Luck

With my first I was induced at 37 weeks. I had pregnancy related hyper tension. I was induced and had a pretty easy delivery. Thankfully my doctors were wonderful. The cord was around her neck 5 times, but my princess was perfectly fine.

With my second I was miserable and finally induced at 41 1/2 weeks! She was born 5 hours later. I almost didn't get the epidural, but I am glad that I ended up getting it. That was the easiest, most wonderful experience. I can't imagine a birth being any better. I was so clear and excited about it all. She was finally here! It was just 6 weeks ago and I had 0 recovery time. It was awesome!

I have come to the conclusion that my body just doesn't want to go into labor. With my second especially at my 36 week apt. I asked to be checked because I was in so much pain and I was already 90% effaced and 3 cm. They kept telling me that I would go into labor any minute and they were sure they wouldn't see me next week, etc. Yeah right. Finally after 2 non stress tests almost a week apart, due to low fetal movement they finally agreed to induce me!

Four babies, went into labor on my own all four times... I had a midwife & home births. The female body was designed pretty well by the Creator, and when allowed to proceed through childbirth without a lot of interference, almost always does a great job of it. I don't know the reasons for your induced labor or for your C-section. In rare instances, those can be necessary, but they are not rare in this country. This means that many of them are not necessary, and they subject mother & baby to unnecessary risks.

My suggestion would be to do some research and find out whether your previous birth interventions were probably necessary and, if so, whether the conditions that made them necessary are likely to repeat. Then, do everything you can to avoid unnecessary intervention in your next labor.

Childbirth under the care of a good midwife is ideal, except in rare high risk situations. Mom & baby are both more likely to be alert and pain free immediately after the birth. A lot of supposedly high risk situations are the result of poorly managed care during pregnancy, such as outdated dietary recommendations to avoid toxemia instead of the correct recommendations drawn up by Dr. Thomas Brewer many years ago and proven to be successful in eliminating that danger.

Get involved with a Cesarean prevention support group. You may need support and wisdom from moms who have already had a successful VBAC to encourage you and make it more likely that you & your baby will have a great birth experience this time.

I'm not saying that all inductions & C-sections are unnecessary, but that most are. If you educate yourself & prepare yourself as well as possible for natural childbirth, you'll improve your chances of success. If you end up with a NECESSARY birth intervention, don't feel bad about it. The necessary ones can be life-saving.

My first: water broke at 3am at 36 weeks; contractions started a few hours later; 5lb 15oz baby girl born 16 hours after water broke.

My second: contractions started at 5am at 39 weeks; water was broken by doctor 5 hours later; 7lb 6oz baby girl born 6 hours after first contraction.

My third: induced at 10am at 42 weeks; water broke on its own during the final contraction before pushing; 8lb 4oz baby girls born 7 hours after induction.

The trend here....it's ALL random!

Both times, yes, I did.
1st: almost 40 weeks.
2nd: 39 weeks.
Neither time did my water break on its own.
GL! Congrats!!!