getting into the bath early in labour

[micegg]

I have just posted about a waterbirth so this is linked. I would like to get into the bath at home for the early part of my labour. I have heard conflicting stories about it slowing or speeding the labour. This is my second baby but I didnt go in the water last time. Any experiences?

Also, if your waters break first is it OK to get into the water? I assume it is but my waters went first with DD1 followed by contractions a few hours later.

[loler]

When I rang the labour ward when in early labour with dd they told me to get into the bath so they must think that its a good idea. Did feel really nice but don't put anything smelly (oils, bubble bath etc) in as I had to get out because the essential oil smell just made me feel sick!

If nothing else the bath reassured me I was nice and clean!

Good luck with your labours!

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

Some people report that having an bath in very early labour can knock contractions off, but to be honest I think in these cases maybe it was "false" labour anyway.

Research shows that once in advanced labour having a bath can sometimes speed up labour - obviously it doesn't work for everyone.

But its fantastic for pain relief so I'd really rcommend it. You're ok to go in the bath if your waters have broken - its no different to women who have a pool birth.

[pedilia]

I have been in the bath in labour with all my pregnancies with DH hopping up and down next to me telling me we need to leave for the hospital

It is very relaxing and does help with pain relief

[tadpolesmum]

So is it ok to have a bath as long as you don't put any products in it?

[Divvy]

opps! I put dd into the bath today, and her contrations went!
Bugger.....shower next time then!

[whomovedmychocolate]

Apparently the bath water needs to be 18 inches deep to be truly effective (or so say all the water birth folks - but hey, they are trying to flog paddling pools for the pregnant, they would say that wouldn't they?)

Personally I pretty much lived in the bath in the last trimester and whenever I have period pains (ah yes, periods I remember those, many years ago), a bath was just the ticket so this time I planning a leisurely wallow. If it stops contractions, fine, probably wasn't time anyway.

But I think avoiding products is a good plan, not least because you want to be sure that anything that turns up in the water is noted and expected (ie if you suddenly have your waters break but the water is blue you may not see whether the waters are clear etc.)

[quarkee]

I was advised to have a bath by the mw when I was in early labour with DS - I got in and sort of 'floated' lying face down (it is a normal sized bath btw) on my knees as the water was a good support for my bump. My waters broke a few mins later (handy) and my contractions really kicked off so we went straight to hospital - i think the water was so relaxing I sort of 'et go' and my body took over. One thing I would recommend is to put your tens machine back on (if you are planning to use one) when you get back out - I didnt and I sure as heck regret it. I went on to have a water birth and can honestly say the water was the best pain relief, absolutely marvellous. Good luck!

[Charlster77]

I have only got 1 baby so I have nothing to base my experience on.....but.....I got in the bath 1 hour after my first contraction and my DS was born 1 hour later! It certainly seemed to speed my labour up. From what I can gather, this was a bit abnormal! In general, I think the rule is that getting in the bath helps relax you.....and takes up some time if all else fails! Good luck.

[quarkee]

Tens works for some and not for others I think - you'll only find out once you get going! I wasnt sure until i took it off

I wasnt exactly face down , more kneeling on all fours but with as much of me submerged as possible - I used to do it all the time when i was v big as i thoguht that was the best posn for the baby too and was v soothing - i also had a big bean bag and leant on that face forward too (not in the bath obviously) - dont know what the official optimal positioning is but my theory was that if swimming was a good posiotion (breast stroke) I wasnt far off that. I had a trouble free labour 12hrs in total with only gas and air, and I am a WUSS!

[whomovedmychocolate]

Starlight - babies turn a bit but half an hour in the tub isn't going to do much. After all, I bet while you are sleeping you turn over into an inopportune position from time to time. I think it's the overall time spent sitting on ones bum that causes the problem, not half an hour while in labour (when hopefully your baby is already in position for the big push and has no more jiggling round to do)

I personally think having a cheeseplant in the next room would probably be as effective as the TENS machine (IME it did bugger all but remind me of being walked on by a spider - though it did make a satisfying thwack sound as it bounced off the wall).

[quarkee]

very good diversion too - i spent most of my early labour figuring out when i needed to turn it up - being a scientist by trainnig i got qutie into how it worked...sad i know but its an abiding memory of the labour

[CatIsSleepy]

I had several baths in early labour, they seemed to help with the pain(more than TENS machine I'd say)-this was after my waters had broken too.
I had a very long slow labour mind you- but am not sure if all the baths made things slower than they would have been otherwise.

[NatalieJane]

I had a home water birth planned for DS2, the midwife made a point of saying to me not to get into the bath/pool before she had got to me, which went against my pregnancy religion, whilst I am pregnant I spend more time in the bath than out of it.

She said if you get in before 5cms it can slow labour down. She'd lost count of the times she'd get to a labouring woman's house to find she'd got in the bath and the labour had either slowed down or stopped altogether.

I have read conflicting advice on whether it is safe to get in after your waters have broken. Not sure about that...

[belgo]

I got into the birthing pool with both of my labours. My waters had broken with the first labour, but not with my second. Both times I was about 5cm. It speeded up my first labour; but my second labour slowed down, although that could have been due to the position of the baby.

However if you are having mild contractions and are not sure as to whether or not you are in real labour, a bath can help stop the contractions if it is 'false' labour.

[phlossie]

I took my ds swimming in early labour!!

When I rang the hospital in early labour, they told me to take paracetamol and have a bath, which I did and it was lovely - very relaxing. It didn't slow down my labour, and I went into hospital an hour and a half later (dd was born 45 mins after I arrived!)

Also, when I was induced with ds, I had a bath in the delivery room's ensuite - the midwives had broken my waters earlier. I had to get out because it made it difficult to monitor ds's heartbeat, but I'd say that's pretty firm evidence that it's medically okay to have a bath in labour and once your waters have gone.

[quarkee]

mind you dont do base over apex on the beach ball though

[Lulumama]

i love being in the bath and have mahoosive birthing pool sized bath at home... i wallowed in it for hours when pregnant.. and could not stand bieng in water in early labour... i got straight back out after really trying to enjoy it and relax. i needed to be active and moving, was running between bedrooms at one point and swinging off my bedroom door

[kaballie]

I was in the bath at home for about 3 hours in early labour and the contractions def slowed right down. got out though and they soon got back up to speed. Waters didn't break until I was in birthing pool at hospital. Would presume a bath at home is fine if waters have broken as they allow you in the birthing pool if they have. Don't see a difference.
Lotsa luck - water births rock!