Years ago when I was born ... I was born on the Wednesday after Labor Day. My mom's water had broken during the holiday weekend. I'm the third in my family so she knew what to expect. She and my dad went to the hospital and when her labor was not progressing -- They sent her home! AFTER rupture of membranes, mind you. [That's not done any more!] Things moved along slowly and they went back for delivery. I suspect I was a few weeks premature. I told this story to my GYN and he just laughed and said, "Back in the day..." As far as I know undelivered patients with ruptured membranes stay in the hospital now until they deliver, because of infection risk.