[Shellby]

Will they usually give a few hours for my body to get things going once waters are broken before starting the drip or do they start the drip straight away?

I find it depends on the hospital. With my second I had my waters broken. Their routine was to break your waters and wait 12 hours, if no labour they asked if you wanted the drip and you could say no. Then they would leave you another 12 hours and then start the drip 24 hours after breaking if you hadn't gone into labour. I was 3cm when my waters were broken and I went into labour about 2 hours later.

Do you have to be hooked up to monitors etc once the drip is started and be in bed to labour or can you still labour in different positions?

With my first I was induced with the drip as my waters broke 2 days beforehand and I didn't go into labour. I only had to be checked on the monitor maybe once an hour to 2 hours for 10 minutes. I still got into the shower, moved around the room, used different positions with no trouble. I guess if my baby had shown issues they may have kept me on the monitor but everything was fine with me and bubs. Once I got to the pushing time though they hooked it up the whole time, but again I could still move around the area if I wanted to change positions. Some hospitals now have wireless attachments for monitoring, so you can have the pads on and still shower and walk around without having cords attached everywhere, so ask about those and see if they have them.

Good Luck.

[TwiceThe Woman]

I've worked in umpteen hospitals and they're all different, so just ask when you arrive and that may allow you some negotiating time for any preferences you may have.
If their protocol says CTG monitor asap, ask if you can have the wi-fi so that you can walk around (you may need to check how far the radio signal will work there).
Let the staff know if you're nervous - they'll take good care of you.
Have a wonderful Birth Day Tuesday - or before I hope it is a lovely experience for you

[bellarox]

Thanks for all the advice ladies. I will have a chat with them tuesday morning. I doubt bub is going to come before then lol, nothing I try is working.

[Natttmumm]

For me they did drip as they couldn't reach waters. Waters broke about an hr later. I think it's standard to break waters and wait a bit. Monitors, yes but it was on and off so I could move as far as I could with a drip. It was uncomfortable but ok. I have had a few medical issues so I was monitored a lot and for nearly the whole labour. Not sure if that's normal