Do you wear pads in case of waters breaking?

[Sparrowlegs248]

I'm 37+2 with dc2. Just occurred to me that o didn't really think about this last time, ds was elcs at 38+6.

But, was thinking I should put something on the bed and maybe wear pads from now on? But what sort?

[Gunpowder]

I just put a waterproof mattress protector on the bed. Didn't wear pads!

[Whatsername17]

Apparently only 15% of women have their waters break spontaneously. When they do, its not usually thr explosion you see on the TV. Im 39+1 and I'm not bothering.

[Sparrowlegs248]

Oh I did not know that! So do they have them broken by mw?

[adagio]

No pads, just a waterproof mattress protector down just in case and a bath towel tucked down the side of the bed. Didn't need it with either as for me waters popped as I was crowning (and from what the midwife said it's not unusual to only have them go during established labour). I was relieved not to have to clear up to be honest - I had been eyeing up the wool carpet on the landing with some concern. I mean, can you actually clear up (probably says later - you're hardly gonna do it straight away right?!) or is it a write off situation if you go all over the floor??!
Good luck

[JennyOnAPlate]

My waters broke spontaneously with both pregnancies (before the first contraction). There's honestly no point in wearing a pad...they just wouldn't hold that amount of liquid! Mine went in a massive gush and left me standing in an enormous puddle

[Sukitakeitoff]

Mine only went in hospital each time (2 natural birth and one induction). I don't think it often happens in public thankfully

[SpeakNoWords]

If your waters go in one go, a pad isn't going to really help. I'd just go with the mattress protector type things anywhere you're liable to be sitting for any length of time.

[peasandquiet]

Went as I layed inbed, the carpet took the brunt of it as I slid out with my legs shut, I think my mum must have cleaned it up while we were at hospital as I defo don't remember doing it. Carpet was just fine, think it would only be an issue if there was something in your waters. This time I will put the bed mats down.

[emsyj37]

My waters have gone first (before contractions started) with all 3 DCs. A pad would not have made any difference whatsoever - sorry! Incontinence pads on the bed are a good idea to protect the mattress, but a pad is pointless. The volume that comes out has left me standing in a puddle with soaking wet trousers every time. I did sit on incontinence pads (the bed mat ones) on the sofa towards the end with DC2 and DC3 as I thought it likely my waters would be the first sign of labour again.

[Newmrs22]

I'm one of the 15% whose went spontaneously before contractions. I didn't wear a pad but I did have a waterproof matress protector. Mine went while sitting on the sofa but I jumped up in shock and none went onto the sofa. Just soaked my pants and pj bottoms!
Incidentally, I recommend the mattress protector. It's saved us from baby pee and sick many times!

[BikeRunSki]

A pad would have made no difference either time my waters broke.

[Yankeedoodledickhead]

Yep, just a mattress protector.

If they go, you put a pad on because the hospital would want to check.

I've had 5, due 6th in March and I've had them broken in hospital every time.

[CointreauVersial]

Three DCs, waters broken each time by midwife welding a crochet hook once well into labour - never had that big gush all over the floor!

[CointreauVersial]

wielding, not welding (that would be weird)

[BettyOBarley]

No I agree a pad won't do anything!

First time they were broken by the midwife and the second time they went on their own but only when I was 10cm dilated and already in hospital.

[littletike]

I had them broken in hospital by a midwife but went through 3 pairs of pants with hospital issue pads after as there was a lot that came out when I was walking around after and the pads did nothing... Sorry!

[Nokia3310]

A pad would have done very little good for either time my waters broke, it was like Niagara Falls. AND what I didn't realise was that waters can continue to go. With my first child every time I thought the waters had finished breaking I'd sit down and when I stood up again they'd break all over again. I went through every pair of trousers I owned and moved onto my husband's boxer shorts. I would line my pants with 3 or 4 pads and still get soaked. 😳

[MusterTheRohirim]

I soaked a bath towel through on my way in (but I did have polyhydramnios so loads of water)

[Phoenix15]

My waters went spontaneously as well before labour started - woke me up! I had lots of smaller gushes than all of it in 1 go, but even then a pad wouldn't hold all of it! You have to wear one on your way to hospital to show a midwife to check, the pad I took off by time I got there was so soaked it dripped water as I was putting it in a nappy sack . I would recommend having old towels around to sit on just in case!

[Watto1]

I bought a pack of pads from mothercare. I had one on the sofa and one in bed. After a friend of mine's waters broke in the car on the way to hospital, dh also insisted on me sitting on one in the car. They went in hospital in the end. I suppose you could use any spares a few years later when night time toilet training the baby!

[Watto1]

Bed pads that is, not pads in knickers.

[YesThisIsMe]

Definitely worth getting a serious mattress protector. If they do go spontaneously while you're in bed (roughly a 5% chance) then it would a nightmare to start life with a baby with a soaked mattress. And if they don't, it'll still be useful to protect the bed from leaking breast milk, lochia, leaky nappies and vomit (even if you don't cosleep you may well end up feeding baby while lying in bed). I'm really selling the glamour of motherhood aren't I?

[Lireal]

I had bath towels everywhere but my waters broke as I was heading to the bathroom and I managed to make it to the tiled floor. It wasn't a big gush more of a continuous trickle for several hours with a bit of gushing. I had to be induced a day later. Second time ds2 was born in the sac so midwife caught it all in a bucket.
One friend claimed she had hardly any fluid and was laughing at my towel precautions.
So, incontinence pads and towels on hand.

[elmo1980]

I'm 38+2 and I woke this morning to damp undies so went to loo to put in a pad and within an hour that was damp too. Been like that all day so spent a few hours at the hospital whilst they inspected said pads (keep hold of any you do use they like to inspect them!) then did an internal to confirm that waters had broken.

Basically, they can come in a gush in which case pads are useless but if you feel like you are getting a bit, um, moist down there it doesn't hurt to start wearing them to keep an eye on things.

[calimommy]

TBH a pad won't do much. My first was in hospital but the second went at home and it was a small pop and then water everywhere. I was surprised how much there was, and if I moved more came out. Luckily it was the kitchen floor so tiled. But it took a large towel to soak it all up. I had bought disposable underpants for after baby so I popped one of those on and went to the hospital, otherwise I would have needed a towel to sit on. Don't worry about it though! It's not dirty or horrible and no one will mind if it happens, which as PP have said is unlikely anyway!