u/DiscountReasonable77

Hi ladies. I’m currently in the hospital after my water broke last night at 2:30 a.m. I was really hoping for an unmedicated labor, and my midwife has been very supportive of that, but contractions have barely started.

Some contractions feel like they’re about to begin and then stop after about 10 seconds. Others become painful, last around a minute, and feel like “real” contractions, but they’re inconsistent. It’s like my body is trying to start labor but can’t fully get going.

My midwife and I agreed that if I’m not in active labor within 18 hours after my water broke, we’ll move to induction. I’m really hoping labor can start naturally and that I can avoid induction if it’s safe.

Is it safe to wait a little longer? Has anyone experienced this after their water broke?

So far I’ve been rotating between sitting on a yoga ball, lunges, walking, pumping, showering, sleeping, eating, and resting. My first labor was also slow, but in a different way — I had contractions, but I wasn’t dilating well. This time they haven’t checked my dilation yet, but the issue seems to be that my contractions aren’t becoming regular or strong enough.

Any advice or similar experiences would really help right now.

Hi! I don’t know much about sofas and want to make a smart choice—something that will actually last. We don’t have pets, but we do have a very active toddler and another baby on the way.

We’re looking for a small sofa for about 3 people. A sleeper option would be nice, but it’s not a must. So far, we’ve checked out Steinhafels, Ashley, and a few smaller local stores. Our budget is up to $1500.

Questions:

• What should we focus on if durability is the main goal?
• Is leather a bad idea with small kids (scratching, poking, etc.)?
• If we go with performance fabric, is it still important to have removable/washable covers?
• If the covers are removable, does the fabric still need to be performance-grade?
• What foam specifications should we pay attention to for long-term durability?
• How important is cushion construction overall (foam vs. foam + down, etc.)?
• Is a sleeper sofa worth it, or does it usually reduce durability/comfort?
• Any brand or store recommendations for good quality in this price range?

Thanks so much for any advice!