Flood Protection - when to start & what?

[nct73]

Am 36 weeks and friends have started making jokes about getting a tarp out for the sofa when I visit. These are friends who have had babies. When is a good time to start to protect things like the sofa, matress, car etc in case of waters breaking in a gush? And what should you use? I have seen maternity pads in Boots/Mothercare but you would just roll/wriggle off them at night wouldnt you?

I wouldn't worry - most people's water won't break until they are well into established labour

Labour very rarely starts with a big gush of water - except on the telly

Good luck

Agree with MP, a massive flood inth emiddle of Tescos is rare indeed.
If it happens at the start of labour (mine never did anyway) most people I know just got in the bath while the "flood" continued.

If it does start, it's usually a little trickle, or perhaps a gush when you go to the loo

Mine DID gush but it was when the baby's head was being delivered so no need to worry about anyone's sofas at that stage

Mine had to be broken mid labour, announced by the midwife 'ohhh we've just broken your waters' I hadn't even noticed. I wouldn't worry about it.

Mine had to be broken mid labour, announced by the midwife 'ohhh we've just broken your waters' I hadn't even noticed. I wouldn't worry about it.

As others have said, few people's break prior to labour starting. Anecdotally, most people seem to get some warning beforehand - feel a pop, get a trickle etc and can dash to the toilet in time.
Might be worth protecting the mattress though I guess.

On the other hand... you could be like me and have waters break with a gush before labour is well under way (happened in both my pgs).

I soaked through several towels last time walking around the house (bathroom towels not sanitary towels!) and had to waddle into the delivery suite with a bathroom towel swaddled between my legs! Not very ladylike - but that's how it goes!

I can laugh about it now! But may be cursing come March when no.3 comes along. I hope for the sake of my new carpet that things go a little differently!

TBH I would just put a mattress protector on the bed.
With both of mine my waters went before labour started and both times it was in bed during the night -I think I've read that statistically it is more likey to happen at night.

I'm 39 weeks and have been advised to buy Pampers Bed Mats. These are meant to be used for kids who wet the bed, but they are a good size for putting on sofa's, matresses and car seats if you are concerned (I would hide them under a throw though). I believe about 15% of people's waters break before labour starts.