No bloody bath!!!

[limeandsoda93]

Just venting really. All the advice I'm hearing on how to cope with early labour is to have a warm bath. From midwives and other mums equally. Eer, I don't have a bath!? Is this frustrating anyone else? I'm 36 weeks so not dealing with it yet but it's in EVERY post and information sheet I read!

[Lampshadeface]

I'm 30 weeks and yes, it's annoying. What's more annoying is that I really want a nice warm bath

Running the shower over your bump and bum/lower back is very effective too apparently

[NeedACleverNN]

A bath does help because I think the theory is it helps relax your muscles and helps ease the pain of contractions in early labour.

I suppose a shower aimed at your lower back would mimic it in a way.

[Lilaclily]

This reminds of where I had my first child in a house with no bath

The outrage of mil, my mum, 'you can't bring up a child without a bath' I somehow managed

[StopShoutingAtYourBrother]

When I was pregnant (several years ago) I had a bath. Got in. Could not get out.... Was like a beached whale. Had to wait on dh returning to hoist me out. Never again!

So I'm not sure how much you're missing out on!

[Newmanwannabe]

Thinking positively a warm bath can relax you so much it can put you out of labour and you don't want that when the day comes grabbing straws Maybe buy some quick heating heat packs or even look into hiring a tens unit?

[Dizzydodo]

I lived in a house with no bath when DD was born, tbh when I went into labour I don't think I'd have actually wanted one, I preferred walking around, you'll do fine without one I'm sure!

[Nuttypops]

Sitting on the floor of the shower may help as well. On the other hand, I tried the bath during early labour and it drove me absolutely scatty, it just seemed to make the pain worse, I was much better pacing around.

[MintyBojingles]

I had a bath in early labour, didn't find it helpful.

Get a cheap plastic stool/step thing and sit on it under the shower, I've been doing this for some weeks anyway as go faint in the shower. It's very comforting and the only thing that eases my back pain. Just put a towel under the stool so you don't scratch the shower like I did!

Like this: www.dunelm.com/product/spotted-step-stool-1000060454 also makes leg shaving easier ;) best £5 pregnancy purchase I've made.

[GenevaJoey]

Urgh, we have a bath, a lovely corner bath. unfortunately i have no hot water: some cock up with the gas company (we just moved in) means they turned the gas off and won't put it on til Tuesday earliest. I am due on Monday. Praying baby is late :( at least you have a shower, that should help. I don't think a cold shower is going to help me!

[limeandsoda93]

Haha StopShouting that's hilarious! I'm sure I'll manage just fine with the shower, a little stool might be on the cards Minty! Geneva that's soooo annoying, im counting my blessings now

[Julieb85]

If it makes you feel any better the bath didn't help me at all!! In fact it made me worse - hot and flustered! I preferred to just walk around...!

[Junosmum]

Hospital didn't have any baths but I couldn't face the journey home so they told me to have a shower and aim it at my lower back and tummy.

[WutheringTights]

The midwife talked me into the birth pool with my first. Absolutely hated it and I'm sure it slowed down my labour. No way was I getting in a sodding bath with my second.

[user1464887935]

Can you get one of those big inflatable balls.... can't remember what they're called! I found sitting on it and pushing against it really helpful for dealing with contractions in early labour.

[user1464887935]

In my excitement about the ball I forgot to say yes bloody annoying about info sheets repeatedly saying things that are not poss. Maybe there needs to be a 'info sheet for showers' version!!!

[RhubarbAndMustard]

Another one here that hated the bath in labour. Made the pains so much worse as I couldn't move into a comfortable position when the contractions came. Don't worry at all. I think a shower is much better, especially if you take a chair in that you can lean on and let the water run over your back.

[LumpishAndIllogical]

I didn't have a bath in flat when I had DS 1 and the thought of getting undressed and wet when in pain seemed awful.
I used a TENS machine instead, learnt against a pile of cushions and watched telly. My labour progressed very quickly too

[KayTee87]

Try a tens machine instead
I think I will go for bath in early labour but yes I heard something about it slowing it down?

[PoppieD]

No bath here either! Was really worried about it at first but not bothered about it now, I do have slight worry how will cope bathing baby but will cross that when I come to it!