The link posted above will lead you to a review of studies regarding AROM (artificial rupturing of membranes a.k.a. bag of waters). In the quick abstract and summary, it explains that although this procedure is very routinely done with the idea that the rupturing of the membranes will release hormones and cause labor to speed up, it actually doesn't shorten the length of labor. Making the procedure irrelevant and pointless.
I suppose to a mother who in the midst of what seems like a prolonged or stalled labor, the act of just doing something might be what spawns her to think her labor is going to progress and so it does. But that is all subjective thinking and who knows if it's what really takes place!
This article is particularly interesting to me since with my last delivery, my waters were broken at 8 1/2 cm. I wasn't fatigued at that point (or at least don't remember being worn down) but I had been having contractions for over 30 hours and in the harder stages of labor for about 4 or 5. I denied the procedure multiple times but ultimately when the Dr. pointed out that, yes, I was progressing. But by breaking my waters I could have the baby in about 30 minutes as opposed to 2 more hours. Seemed logical to me at that point and really, I felt like what I was hanging on to? So we did it and 30 minutes later, little Keller-man was born.
But now I question it. Obviously I can not know what would have happened since it didn't play out that way, but I can't stop wondering if I still would have delivered in about 30 minutes even without the rupturing of my water. I know I'll never have an answer, which is frustrating, but also just a little mystifying.
As an update: I'm 37w3d and baby is still "in". It's in a low lying position but since I'm opting OUT OF internal checks for the rest of the way (they really are pointless...I'll post on that later), I have no clue what is going on down there. And now that I know more about AROM's...that is for sure OFF my list of possible "helpers" during labor.
Until next time..
