You’re supposed to deliver within 24 hours because of the risk of infection and a dry birth.

In most cases, yes. It’s to avoid a higher chance of infection. I have to get intravenous antibiotics due to being Strep B positive, and that also means I have to go in as soon as my water breaks because of the chance of passing that to baby. For some women, it’s less immediately important to be admitted.

Yes. My water was leaking, and I went in. They hooked me up to the monitors and were like why are you here? You’re not having any contractions, and I said well I told you my water broke. They swabbed me and tested it, and sure enough I was leaking amniotic fluid. They admitted me and induced me right then and there.

Yes they wouldn't send me home until I had a baby

My water broke at 4am but I didn't go into labor. I called my midwife, she asked if I wanted to be induced if it didnt happen naturally, I said yes. She told me to go back to bed and she'd call the hospital at 8 and call me back. At 8 she called and said labor and delivery was busy so I might as well relax at home and we would try again later. She called me at 12 and said to meet her at the hospital at 230. If your not in labor then there definitely no rush, if you are then I dunno!!