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Original poster

Waters breaking - can I wear sanitary/tena towels?

30 replies

Ls271082 · 22/06/2013 17:27

This may sound totally ridiculous I don't know, I've never done it before!! Is it worth wearing tena or similar near my due day in case my waters break? Or is it stupid idea as they won't help/work to save embarrassment if I'm at work or in public?

Thanks

OP posts:

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CuppaSarah · 22/06/2013 17:32

It depends. It could just be a trickle in which case that would be fine. Or it could be a gush which not even a maternity towel wuld probably contain.

But rest assured only something like 10% of labours start with the waters breaking, so odds are you'll be well aware it's coming before it does. But if it makes you feel a bit more secure go ahead and wear a towel.

SkivingAgain · 22/06/2013 17:38

My waters broke when I was in the village shop I wish I'd been wearing a pad thankfully I had dark trousers on and no one else knew

Felt like I was peeing myself, but couldn't stop it

MrsBungle · 22/06/2013 17:46

My waters broke in the middle of the street. I was wearing a pad - it really didn't contain it!

Iwish · 22/06/2013 19:58

My waters broke at home all over the floor and I put a pad on so soak it up as it kept coming. It didn't help lol xx

welshfirsttimemummy · 22/06/2013 22:16

welshfirsttimemummy · 22/06/2013 22:17

My waters didn't break until I was actually pushing in labour, so you may not need one

happyfrogger · 22/06/2013 22:35

I wouldn't bother, TBH. In my case my waters broke (middle of the night) with a gush. Even the heaviest of pads would have soaked through in 30 seconds! I went through many bath towels in the 30 mins faffing to get to hospital and in the cab. If anything have a small towel in your handbag or a bunch to hand at home / work etc so if you do end up one of those whose waters break without warning, you can get where you need to without too big a wet patch in the car!!

chickabilla · 22/06/2013 22:42

My waters were leaking not gushing but still were not contained by a pad.

lj123 · 22/06/2013 22:48

My mums waters broke with my sis n she got told to actually open a pack of nappies and put one in her underwear! She was planning a home birth and it was middle of the night.

therumoursaretrue · 22/06/2013 22:54

A pad wouldnt have made one but of difference to me. My waters broke in hospital and completely soaked one of those big pads they put on the beds. Then continued to leak after that and soaked another 2. Not sure how much is 'normal' but I was shocked by the amount.

ShowOfHands · 22/06/2013 22:57

My waters breaking was the first sign both times. I had a big initial gush and then constant leaking for 31 and 38hrs respectively. I wore two maternity pads side by side. No bloody point really. Trousers ruined. Knickers ruined. I sat on a towel for a 30 minute car ride and it was sodden.

I had a LOT of water.

ItCameFromOuterSpace · 22/06/2013 23:06

My waters broke in bed in th middle of the night, and there was ALOT of water. It didn't stop gushing ou fo hours. No pad would hav helped me contain that.

cece · 22/06/2013 23:10

Both times my waters broke I completely flooded the floor where I was standing. Mopping up was needed to clear up the water!

Nellysgirl · 22/06/2013 23:46

Without meaning to sound rude but please can I ask the ladies who's waters broke in bed. Did it leak through to mattress and stuff? I was worried about this happening to me. What do you do? We have a brand new bed

NoMoreMarbles · 23/06/2013 00:06

My waters broke in bed it was like Niagra falls had relocated to my womb! A whole pack of tena pants wouldn't have cut it!

To answer the waters in the bed question... We had put a couple of bin bags under the sheet as I had excess waters and was told to do this by the MW. All we needed to do was change the bedding and have the carpet cleaned

happyfrogger · 23/06/2013 08:56

It would have if I'd state there, but I jumped up so quick thinking I'd wet myself and ruined the carpet instead! I spent the rest of the time waiting for a can standing on a towel in the bathroom shouting demands at DH. Who shouted back to me to stay put and not ruin another carpet lol!

Given that I might sleep on a towel next time just in case but wouldn't invest in a mattress protector. You'll likely be up fairly quickly not lay around wondering what's happening!

Chunderella · 23/06/2013 09:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsMargoLeadbetter · 23/06/2013 09:42

One thing wearing a pad is useful for is being able to check that the waters are clear.

If they have marconium (eg baby poo) you will need to go to the hospital for monitoring. I had this first time.

I had gushes both times and tried to catch the worse of it with towels for the above but also my 'dignity' - not that there is much in childbirth!!!

Good luck! Wishing you good birthing vibes.....

BoffinMum · 23/06/2013 09:44

If your waters go in bed with a pop you will ruin your mattress. You need a waterproof cover on there, believe me.

In terms of dealing with them if they go in the daytime, disposable incontinence pants are the best thing ever for this. They hold loads.

ShowOfHands · 23/06/2013 10:09

My waters went in bed the second time round and my mattress was fine. As soon as I felt the pop, I leapt up and as I had pyjamas on, it was quick enough to save the mattress. Floor needed mopping though.

It's a good point about the pads showing up anything you might need to see. Meconium as MrsM says, I also noticed as I changed my 895th pad that day that I'd started to bleed too.

marzipananimal · 23/06/2013 15:42

I think a waterproof mattress protector is probably sensible. You're quite likely to have other bodily fluid leaks in bed after the baby's born (blood, milk, baby poo, sick or wee) so it'll get some use even if your waters don't break in bed.

sugarandspite · 23/06/2013 15:48

Also you'll probably get awful night sweats for the first week or so after you've had the baby - lovely I know - and the waterproof mattress protector will also be helpful then.

By the best quality one you can justify (our hippychick one is good as is cotton not sweaty plastic) as it will probably more than earn its keep over the next few years!

happyfrogger · 23/06/2013 20:20

oh yes, night sweats! Good point. That for me lasted best part of a month and sheets were soaked through EVERY night, didn't know what was going on, it was horrible. Mattress protector would be have been useful for that!

Original poster

Ls271082 · 23/06/2013 20:34

I've got night sweats now and I'm only 27+2!!

OP posts:

Woofers · 23/06/2013 21:09

Using experience from the other end of the life cycle - incontinence in adults is a problem, especially over night. You can use kylie sheets or tena do a pad which holds up to 800ml of urine. Disability shops might be able to supply / advise.

kylie sheets

tena pull up pants

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