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Childbirth

this sounds a bit daft

36 replies

starshaker · 15/04/2005 19:51

just got a couple of questions that people will prob find really silly but im gonna ask them anyway.

if my waters break is it hard to clean up the mess off the new couch
can i have a bath if they break
what happens if they break when im on the loo or in the bath how will i know

these i realise are daft but im not really sure and dont want to ask my mum lol

OP posts:

Report

starshaker · 15/04/2005 19:56

any1

OP posts:

Demented · 15/04/2005 19:58

LOL!

1 In my case the waters were clear but tinged pink, probably not what you would want on your new sofa, although I think it would clean. Towards the end of both my pregnancies I something under my sheet in bed in case of waters breaking (first time round a bin liner, second time a Pampers Care Mat), if you were really worried you could put a Care Mat on your sofa in the last few weeks.

2 In my experience having a bath was allowed.

3 When my waters broke having DS1 they didn't stop pouring until DS1 was born, so if they had gone in the bath or the loo, they would have continued after getting out the bath or off the loo.

These are my experiences and I am unsure if they are typical. Main thing is don't worry, many people find their waters don't break until near delivery when you are probably in hospital and they can deal with the mess.

motherinferior · 15/04/2005 19:58

I remember the sensation, both times, of sitting on a balloon which had just burst. Absolutely unmistakeable. HTH?

AnnieQ · 15/04/2005 19:59

1 When my waters broke, it was like Niagara falls, so the mess may be hard to clean up from the couch. On the other hand some people find they only dribble.

2 Yes, you can have a bath after they break.

3 Believe me, you'll know. It's completely different to having a wee.

Relax, don't get yourself wound up about it. Plenty of time for panicking later.

motherinferior · 15/04/2005 20:00

First time round mine broke well into labour (5cm dilated, after about 24 hours of contractions, maybe a bit more); second time completely unexpectedly, 16 days ahead of schedule, just ping in my pants. But a quite unmistakeable sensation both times, even the first time.

jabberwocky · 15/04/2005 20:00

My waters did the dribbling bit but I still knew what it was. I was told not to take a bath as it could increase risk of infection.

starshaker · 15/04/2005 20:01

its just im due today getting niggles but nothing much just feels very proddy down there and thought oh i wonder if all this activity might break my waters

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hunkermunker · 15/04/2005 20:01

Sit on a birthing ball.

2. Yes.

3. You'll know It doesn't stop!

zubb · 15/04/2005 20:01

Can answer 3) - you will know!! With ds1 I felt the urge to go to the loo, and they broke while I was there - and like Demented said kept on going! Everytime I thought that was it more would start.
With ds2 they broke as he was delivered.

starshaker · 15/04/2005 20:03

jabberwocky thats what i was wandering about cos of infection

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hunkermunker · 15/04/2005 20:04

I had a bath, then got into a birthing pool with my waters "broken".

If they break, ring your labour ward - they'll probably ask you to come in to check it is amniotic fluid (speculum and swab stick thingy).

stellarmum · 15/04/2005 20:04

They're not daft, they're the things we all think (along with, if my waters break in the supermarket, will I flood the place? And if they go in M&S is it true I get free groceries for a year?!!)
In answer, I would say that it might be difficult to clean it off the couch if there is any blood present, otherwise I would assume a good scrub would make it ok.
Yes you can have a bath if they go... I'm assuming this, cos if you were having a waterbirth it would be ok
And there is a chance you might not know when they go, I didn't even notice them going with dd1 as was in full labour, but withh dd2 they went just as I hit the 'I need to push!' stage. Had been in labour for a while with both, I think it's unusual for them to break without warning. HTH

Flossam · 15/04/2005 20:04

I woke up from a sleep with them, just a dribble to start with, made it too the loo for the major breaking bit, for which I am very grateful (not our bed in rented property)

A bath was lovely and relaxing as my contractions started.

They really don't stop. Make sure you have plenty of maternity towels as if your waters break before your labour starts you will need them. Don't worry, I'm sure you will know, and remember not everyone's labour starts with the waters breaking so you may never need to worry about it!

AnnieQ · 15/04/2005 20:05

It was the midwives who suggested to me that I have baths after my waters broke and once I went into labour. They didn't seem to think that there was any risk of infection.

Libb · 15/04/2005 20:06

Some people suddenly need to go to the loo for a "number 2" just before. I did and so I was on the loo when I felt a very distinctive popping sensation and then there was some clear liquid.

Like any self respecting Mumsnetter I got a sanitary pad, posted on Mumsnet asking if this was it, got some advice and then went for a bath. I was out of the bath for 5 mins when I decided that it was really time to head over to the hospital. It was a half hour drive and DS was born 3/4 hours later - next time I will probably have to skip the bath!

marz · 15/04/2005 20:07

Ok...beg to differ!
I did not know for sure what was going on...had to phone midwife to confirm.
I went for a wee and then as I came back, I felt like I had wet myself, but just a bit, like a few drops. Went back to the loo and literally thought it was just that I had not finished weeing. Changed knickers and it happened again. (So obviously it was not wee.....) but I had to call the midwife as it literally was less than a cupfull in about 24 hours. It was clearish...and does not smell.
Good luck anyway!

Thomcat · 15/04/2005 20:09

Don't know mine didn't break. They came out with my DD.

starshaker · 15/04/2005 20:10

a few weeks ago i was taken up as they thought my waters had broke but the hadnt and they dont know what it was but it was nice to know i hadnt wet myself lol

OP posts:

starshaker · 15/04/2005 20:15

thanx by the way i feel a wee bit better now if it happens ill phone hosp and see what there view on a bath is or if they want me to go straight up

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Leogaela · 15/04/2005 20:58

I was told not to take a bath due to the risk of infection.
I wasn't totally convinced until I had floods, it happened a bit earlier than expected and I didn't believe it!
Doctor told us it doesn't smell and tastes sweet (!!!) my sense of smell was up the creek so dh took a sniff, we decided it was my waters so tasting wasn't necessary !!!

Leogaela · 15/04/2005 21:01

...and if you are on the loo or in the bath you should still know, mine kept running out for hours after.

mummytosteven · 15/04/2005 21:02

the midwife broke mine when I was in labour so didn't really have to worry about what to do

i think it is more likely than not that you will already be in labour when waters break - i.e. it won't be completely unexpected

there was a definite "pop" when mine went

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MrsMiggins · 15/04/2005 21:15

My waters broke in the last stage of labour! With DS they popped just as the midwife was "looking" and my DH said she was nearly soaked - had to jump out the way. 3 pushes later DS appeared.
Same thing happened with DD - broke when I started pushing....
less messy for me

bonym · 15/04/2005 21:26

Agree with others - ime you will know as they gush out. I sort of had a feeling they were about to go though (not sure now exactly why!) and managed to get out of bed and onto the loo just in time! Having a bath would be fine - my waters broke at 6.30am and I was in the birthing pool by 11.30am. No mention made by the midwives of possible risk of infection.

whatsername · 15/04/2005 21:31

My waters never broke. Both times I had to have them broken by the midwife during labour.

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