Understanding the 24-Hour Rule for Child Labor
You may have heard that after your water breaks, you are on a set schedule to deliver within a day. As a rule, after a pregnant woman’s water breaks, many doctors and midwives will want to deliver the baby within 24 hours.
Although not all medical professionals agree that the 24-hour rule is necessary, many hospitals choose to follow this guideline. Why is this?
What’s the purpose of the 24-hour child labor rule?
This recommendation is based off the risk of infection to both the mother and the baby. A woman’s “water breaking” refers to the amniotic sac rupturing. The amniotic sac is filled with fluid where the baby grows and develops. The amniotic sac is also a protection for the baby from outside elements.
Once the amniotic sac has ruptured, however, bacteria can easily enter the environment around the baby. The longer the pregnancy continues after the amniotic sac has ruptured, the greater the chance of a harmful infection developing that could affect both the mother and the baby.
To avoid this problem, many medical professionals choose to follow the 24-hour guideline. This increases the chances that the baby will be born healthy and free from infection.
Will my doctor or midwife follow this guideline?
Speak with your doctor or midwife about their policy on the duration of labor after a woman’s water breaks. Some medical professionals feel that the 24-hour guideline is unnecessary. They argue that the amount of time that passes after a woman’s water breaks is not as important as what the mother is doing and where she is laboring.
If a woman is waiting at home for labor to progress and does not insert anything into the vagina, infection is less likely.
When a woman is laboring in a hospital, however, she will likely undergo regular vaginal exams to check the cervix and the progression of her labor. Each exam risks exposing the unborn baby to harmful bacteria that could lead to infection. In this case, most medical providers agree that delivering within 24 hours is safest for both mother and child.
Doctors also advise women to avoid sexual intercourse after their water has broken, and some caution against taking a bath. A shower is less likely to introduce any bacteria where it shouldn't be.
It is important to be mindful of the risk of infection, and listen to your doctor or midwife to avoid possible danger to you and your child.
What are my labor options?
If a woman wants her labor to progress naturally past the 24-hour mark, her doctor or midwife may be willing to start her on antibiotics to decrease the risk of infection. Some women and doctors feel that the risks of a C-section outweigh the risks of laboring longer than 24 hours. The answer is not always clear, even amongst the medical community.
The American College of Nurse Midwives released a position statement in 2012 stating that mothers should be informed of the risks of either waiting for labor to progress or inducing labor. They state that in the absence of fever or an identified infection, a full term uncomplicated single pregnancy should be allowed to progress, if the mother chooses.
They also call for more research to be done to better inform both women and their healthcare providers on what the safest course of action is.
Above all, discuss any concerns with your doctor or midwife. This will help you get all the facts you need to feel comfortable with how your labor will progress.
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