08/07/2026
We probably won’t offer to break your waters at home and there’s more than 3 reasons why, but swipe through for the short version! ➡️
It’s something that’s offered when your labour progress has been deemed to be slow and this is usually ‘diagnosed’ on vaginal examination where there’s been no cervical change since a previous check.
The issue with this is that research shows that not all women and birthing people are going to dilate at exactly the same time. Some labours are longer and some labours are shorter - and neither of these things automatically mean there’s a problem. We also know that some labours ‘plateau’ - or slow down and this is actually a rest period, which also isn’t a problem.
Most of our clients opt out of routine vaginal examinations in labour. There are other tools we can use if we or you have concerns about labour progress - biomechanics, rest, hydration - none of which involve fingers in your f***y!
A 2013 Cochrane review concluded that in spontaneous labours - even where labour appears prolonged - breaking the waters doesn’t shorten the ‘first stage’ of labour and possibly increases the chance of caesarean section.
It’s not a benign procedure. It carries its own risks including: increased pain, possible fetal distress due to loss of the equalising pressure, slight increase risk in infection and in very rare scenarios, cord prolapse.
We offer you individualised care, to fiercely support your choices and be by your side for one of the most transformative experiences of your life.
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