Anyone else struggling with just a bath?

[Sparrowlegs248]

We only have a bath, no shower. Bath is under a sloping roof so no option for an overbath shower. We do have the tap with a shower hooked over the top like an old fashioned phone, but for some reason it doesn't like letting hot water through. Will happily blast you with cold though!

29+2 and have found myself avoiding having a bath!! I am having a proper wash twice daily, washing hair over kitchen sink etc but am just so uncomfortable in the bath. Can lay back but then struggle to sit up (old bath, no handles......)

Getting up from sitting is awkward too. I'm not yet massive but I think its the tummy muscles letting me down.

Anyone else? How are you coping?

[comeagainforbigfudge]

Oh I haven't been able to have a bath for weeks until recently. Was so uncomfortable, particularly for my back. But then had to try for my restless legs.

I don't fill bath too deep/or make it too warm. But after some awful attempts at clamoring out, I now don't let the water out. I use the water to support me, so move to sitting upright first, then bring knees in to stand. Does that make sense?

Although OH has made me promise not to take a bath of he's not in. Just incase I get stuck. Not happened yet @ 36.4 rebellious little madam that I am

[comeagainforbigfudge]

*clamber out! Gah predictive text strikes again

[Anotheronesoon]

Ooh I was the opposite when pregnant- I was like a hippo wallowing in the bath at any opportunity if you are having a wash I don't suppose it matters but I used to really love all that warm water- so much so that I had my first baby in the birthing pool!

[Sparrowlegs248]

Its the bringing the knees in and hoiking up to stand that I am struggling with. Not been having it hot at all but feel like I'm missing out!! Might have to start using friends/families showers. Also i have to stand to wash feet etc, can't do that sitting anymore. Is this a taste of what its like to be old I wonder?

[comeagainforbigfudge]

You'll have a bath seat to lower you in and out by then

[hestialou]

I have to turn over to hands and knees in bath and then can get out, worth a try.

[Lunastarfish]

Can you go to a gym/swimming pool to shower?

[Sparrowlegs248]

I do enjoy laying in the bath, its just the getting up again that's the issue. Also I am bathing, just not daily i don't stink honest

Good idea re swimming pool. Given how early I am waking I could do that before work!

[ChucksAhoy]

I only have a bath too but in rented so no option to change it. 25+5 and it's getting a bit tricky to get in and out - tried one of those hand held jobbies you put on the end of the taps but it's like being dribbled on - horrible!

I've just been levering myself up with hands and elbows - hands behind me to go from lying down to sitting up, knees in and hands on the edge of the bath, back as far as I can get them, to go from sitting to standing. Very ungraceful but its working for now !

I saw a physio for back pain recently and she said it's really important to focus on using leg muscles to go from sitting to standing normally, I think leg muscles help a little bit when getting out of the bath too once you get past a certain point.

[Pigriver]

I'd give anything for a bath, we only have a shower . Getting hard to bend over and shave legs etc.

[TinyMonkey]

I loved having long deep baths when I was pregnant. Easiest way to get out was to turn onto side and then onto hands and knees and then push up with my hands on the sides for support.

[Gillian1980]

Yep, I'm struggling with this!

We've been having a new bathroom put in over the last 2 weeks. A week with no bath or shower, having showers at family's houses or the gym. Then a week of just a bath as the shower hasn't gone in yet.

I cannot wait for the shower next week! Though I'm considering a shower chair...

[sianihedgehog]

I've been finding it difficult to get out, too. I'm pulling myself up to sitting by grabbing the edge of the bath, and then getting on one knee and pushing myself up with my arms. Also not letting the water out until I'm out.

[Bogwoppit22]

I too have been struggling with getting in and out of the bath, which is gutting coz I love a soak in the bath! (although i'm a bit weird and have to follow it with a shower to feel properly clean!). I was chatting with my mum last week and mentioned that I'd kill for a bath to take some of the bump weight but that I was struggling to get in and out, and she remarked that the day centre she manages has a bath with a seat etc that the service users can use for a fee. And that was the lightbulb moment, she's now looking into making it available to pregnant women in the area too - will help ladies struggling with bath access to have a soak and a float, and will hopefully raise a little money for the day care centre too. Win!

[Cineraria]

I'm not keen on baths generally. When I lived in a rented place that didn't have a shower or even a suitable tap for a spray attachment, I bought a set like this from a shop that sold Indian food and household items. Not sure if you'd have anything like that around your area but I found it great to sit on the stool with the bucket or bowl full of hot water and sloosh it all over me with the jug. The rubber feet on the stool meant it didn't slip when you get up but also compared to chairs for people with mobility needs it's usually low enough not to bump your head on a sloping ceiling. More like a shower than a wash. Probably makes feet washing easier too than sitting flat in the bath or standing.

[RockerMummy184]

I've just laid down to rinse my hair in the bath and got stuck getting back up. Had to sort of flop over onto my side like a big pregnant walrus and sit myself back up sideways! I love a nice soak in the bath! Can't read a book in the shower!

[Athenaviolet]

Ask your DP to help you out.

I'd find it harder to have a shower with a growing bump-how can you reach your toes with a huge bump?