My water has been broken...

I had been at the hospital for about an hour when I was told that the doctor would be in shortly to break my water. I had no idea what to expect. At around 8am, the doctor comes in with a long instrument that was wrapped so I didn't panic at first sight. Then when she unwrapped it, it looked like a HUGE crochet hook. It was long with a hook at the end. I knew she wasn't there to make a blanket so I knew it was going to be used to break my water. At this point I had been checked for dilation a few times and that hurt. I couldn't imagine what this was going to feel like.

Everyone other than the medical staff was asked to leave the room. The doctor told me it wouldn't hurt and she inserted the needle. The next thing I knew, there was a gush of liquid. It did not hurt in the least. Again, I thought I was superwoman and could withstand any type of pain.

I should mention that prior to her breaking my water, the bed was prepped and several layers of puppy training pads were placed underneath me. I had thought that was kind of humorous but necessary. Luckily the pads were there or my bed would have been ruined. After that initial gush, the doctor checked and saw that the liquid was clear. There was no meconium. Meconium is present if the baby has a bowel movement in the womb. This can be dangerous because it can get into the baby's lungs. So it was a very good sign that the liquid had been clear.

I thought that the big gush was over and they would remove the wet puppy pads and I would be able to lay in the bed comfortably. I was wrong. The gush was followed by a constant leak of fluid. It didn't stop. It was so uncomfortable. I don't know if this is how it is for other women but I never heard of this. In fact, my puppy pads had to be changed several times before all was said and done. How is it even possible for a woman to have her water break outside of the hospital? I don't think there are pads big enough to hold all of the liquid. I don't even think adult diapers would do the job. I am really glad that it didn't happen while I was at work or the grocery store.

I thought I would feel less bloated or relief of some pressure but the only thing that was different after my water broke was that I was sitting in liquid. I wondered what would happen next in this journey of mine.