Being left in wet sheets ...

[tootiredforxyz]

Aware this may sound ridiculous to some - so bear with me - but at my first birth my waters broke & didn't stop pouring so to speak... I was unfortunately being continuously monitored & with catherer in etc... then had epidural so couldn't get off the bed, so I was in effect lying in soggy sheets for bloody hours and i hated it! They were changed a few times at my insistence but it was very busy & no-one had time, fair enough.

Spose there's nothing I can do to prevent this next time? I found it a bit degrading, and pretty uncomfortable... It was a small thing that just made the rest of the birth seem much worse. Like I could maybe handle some of the pain pre-epidural & when it started to wear off at times, but sticking to the sheets as well just made everything feel that much worse. I know it will sound pedantic to some- just my experience.

Apart from briefing hubby to change my sheets if I can't - what else could I do to make it better next time??

My sis was left in bloody sheets after birth, she offered to change them but they said they didn't have any! She complained.

I had pads under me. They soaked up everything, and we're easy to change - your dh could easily do that. Maybe ask for them?

Advice from a home birther - keep layering with towels and waterproof pads (you know the giant sanitary towel things). I laid out lots of towels sandwiched with newspaper and as each layer was spoilt I removed it, then when you're down to nothing start again HTH

So should I take waterproof sheets and towels with me to the hospital?? Or just rely on lots of towels at least being available at the hospital?

I had a similar experience, who knew there could be do much water! Midwifes fantastic and put pads under me that we're changed regularly could your partner do this?

Pampers do 'bed sheets' - I always put them under my DC's sheets, just in case of any nappy leaks.
They are quite big though - so you could use them, they are disposable so just fold them and chuck them.
With my births they provided these, but if you're worried then just take a few packs of these - even if you dont use them, you'll use them for your other DC's when potty training etc - but at least you aren't worrying about it when in hospital

I had the big pads under me during both my labours but after the birth they weren't changed AT ALL until I asked for help hours later

do not expect the hospital to have towels! The way NHS laundry works is exceedingly mysterious and ward staff don't have much control over what gets sent up. They might have loads the day you're there or they might be struggling to have one per person and have to send someone on a begging mission round the wards. Sad but true, so I would take a couple of mangy old ones from home (nothing nice), pop one of those under you then some of the inco sheets from Boots on the top.

Also a pack of baby wipes in your bag and an old towel to dry off can do a surprisingly effective bed bath, the stuff in wipes is good for getting blood off until you can have a wash or a shower.

I would take "bed bath" stuff with you in case they are short of staff/resources, but nothing you mind throwing away. Old towels, disposable sheets, multipack of big pants from the supermarket and just bin them.

I'm taking a bottle of water and a plastic cup this time so I can brush my teeth before the epidural wears off :)

I would get some disposable bed pads designed for incontinent people (or I think they actually sell special maternity ones- I was given them after I had my son). They are great and you can just chuck em

Think this is pretty common-the hospitals are under supplied/staffed and are really just about the babies-not the moms imo.
There are some good suggestions here so try to be proactive in getting the birthday experience you want.
Healthy baby is what its all about and if you needed emergency care the hospital/staff are amazing.
Pity they can't do both !!!!!!!

I had pads under me too, I would say if in doubt take your own in your hospital bag and lay them on yourself. I would of been really annoyed at being left in wet sheets too, as if you're not uncomfortable enough already!

Feedback to the hospital - it's won't change what happened but may make you feel better and you should get a matron to take your complaint seriously and feedback to the staff concerned. Being understaffed is no excuse- it is not acceptable and letting them know this is the only way to try and make sure it doesn't happen to you again or anyone else.