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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

When to start using bed mats to protect mattress from waters?

31 replies

Jellybabie3 · 04/05/2017 13:13

So im a while off (19+4) but wondered when people start using bed mats to protect their mattress from waters breaking.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Caterina99 · 04/05/2017 13:19

I never did. DS was born on due date. Out of a group of my friends, 1 out of 6 of us actually had her waters break outside of hospital. I do have a mattress protector though.

SprogletsMum · 04/05/2017 13:21

My waters broke while I was asleep with 2 of my dc. I felt them go both times, it woke me up and no waters escaped until I'd stood up so the bed was safe.

lingo · 04/05/2017 13:25

I put a waterproof pad under my side of the bed at about 37 weeks...now 39 and still waiting!

LordVoldemortsMissingNose · 04/05/2017 13:28

I never did, first time my waters broke at delivery and second time they broke very slowly, little dribble! No massive gush. Anecdotally for most people the waters breaking is not the first thing that happens in labour.

Abrahamkin · 04/05/2017 13:29

It didn't even occur to me! My waters were broken at hospital though so wasn't an issue.

Cakescakescakes · 04/05/2017 13:30

When you do get them don't bother buying the maternity ones as they aren't very big. Buy some Huggies Bed Mats from the nappy aisle - they are much bigger and have good sticky tabs to attach to your mattress. They're designed for potty training etc and we're double the size of the rubbish maternity ones I bought. Also, keep one in your car. Then if waters break when out you have something to sit on to save your seats etc.

boodles101 · 04/05/2017 13:36

I put a waterproof mat under the sheet. My waters broke at night and woke me up but it didn't go everywhere, didn't even get the mat wet!

GreenGoblin0 · 04/05/2017 13:36

never got them. waters broke at home both times but not in bed

apotheke · 04/05/2017 13:37

Around 30 weeks I think. It's unlikely it will happen but not impossible, it happened to my friend at 36 weeks with DC1. They rushed off to hospital and were away for a few days. By the time her DH thought to do something about it, the mattress was ruined.

We now have them on all the beds at all times. The modern ones aren't at all crackly and it saves your mattress from potential water leak, then leaking milk, then baby sick then potty training accidents, then norovirus.... I can't imagine ever living without them again!

My waters conveniently broke in the bath where I was trying to get some relief from early labour. Best place, no cleaning up required!

apotheke · 04/05/2017 13:38

To clarify I don't mean bed mats, just fitted waterproof sheets under the sheet.

Original poster

Jellybabie3 · 04/05/2017 13:46

Great advice thank you. I reckon i will go for 30 weeks. We just forked out for a new mattress so my OH is freaking out a little!

OP posts:

harleysmammy · 04/05/2017 22:18

I had my little boy a week ago tomorrow and I felt my waters go in bed, it woke me up and was like he had kicked a bit too hard but nothing came out until I sat up. Unless you have too much fluid, I wouldn't really worry about it ruining the bed. It didn't even go through my sheets x

Obsidian77 · 04/05/2017 22:24

Never, they don't usually go that early in labour (except in films). Like pp's have said, if they do break before you're expecting it they're unlikely to ruin the bed.
Unlike after the birth when you're bleeding like heck.
Or when your baby throws up on it.
Your DP will have to learn not to be so precious about furniture. It's a lesson he should learn sooner rather than later...

apotheke · 04/05/2017 22:32

I don't see how not wanting to soil a brand new mattress makes the OP's DH precious!

The waterproof sheets you can buy these days are so good you don't even feel a difference under the normal sheet. Can't imagine why anyone wouldn't have them for the multitude of reasons already mentioned on this thread, throughout life, not just in labour.

Oopsypoopsy · 04/05/2017 22:36

I did this at about 36 weeks with my first 2 and both times my water was the thing that woke me up along with a period type pain. It only trickled out though so made it to the toilet so didn't go on the bed anyway. I'm 35 weeks now though and will do the same again just in case. I just put it under the fitted sheet so you couldn't see it or anything. x

Intransige · 04/05/2017 22:39

I didn't bother, but we have a topper and a mattress protector over our mattress so it seemed unnecessary. In the end my waters didn't go until I was nearly at transition in labour.

If you get a pack of incontinence pads e.g. from amazon, you can also put them on the change table to catch newborn poo explosions

Obsidian77 · 04/05/2017 23:01

op isn't even 20 weeks and he's got her worrying about a mattress...which she wouldn't be soiling, it's amniotic fluid.

Mummyh2016 · 05/05/2017 07:31

I'm 33+5 and purchased one a couple of days ago. My friends waters went last week in the middle of the night at 40+3.

Heirhelp · 05/05/2017 07:34

Mine went when I had been in labour for about 24 hours, I had a very very long labour, at the time I was home in bed. I was glad for the maternity pad under the sheets.

Lolabee · 05/05/2017 07:37

I'm not planning on bothering. In fact I have said to OH that we'll get a new mattress after baby is here because it's due for replacing and I refuse to get a new one while there is the possibility of ANY fluid leakage, waters or breast.

I will take my nice feather topper off though at around 36 weeks.

When I had DD my waters had to be broken for me by the midwife.

BeyondThePage · 05/05/2017 07:42

op isn't even 20 weeks and he's got her worrying about a mattress...which she wouldn't be soiling, it's amniotic fluid.

I agree that he should not have her worrying about it, maybe he should have just discreetly fitted a waterproof cover to the mattress.

But to say it is not soiling is a little naive - amniotic fluid can contain meconium and a bit of bloody goop - I would not like to have to come home from the hospital like we did 6 hours later and have to deal with it - before being able to get into bed knackered and sore with a newborn.

Oopsypoopsy · 06/05/2017 16:27

Obsidian that's a bit harsh. Some people are particular about their homes, it's not a bad thing to keep your things in good condition. And you know children learn to respect their things in a home like that too. My husband is ridiculously tidy and clean and it wasn't even him who thought about the bed mat it was me, I wouldn't fancy sleeping in a puddle of blood stained amniotic fluid, I would have to buy a new mattress!

Lucinda15 · 06/05/2017 16:38

I'm with apotheke - invest in a fitted waterproof mattress protector. Or two. I have them on our bed and DS's. Life savers! And you will reap the benefits for many years to come - once baby arrives/grows into a child there will be no end to the bodily fluids, food, drink etc etc that is likely to be spilled on the bed. Well worth doing x

Original poster

Jellybabie3 · 06/05/2017 16:51

Er...to just make clear my OH isnt being precious. Weve just spent a grand on a mattress for ME and MY bad back so i can understand why he doesnt want it ruined - i totally agree. Its way more than we can afford so a few quid to protect it seemed wise. And me asking at 20 weeks is because I am super organised (not a pushy OH) thanks for the input though - looks like i am flapping about nothing!

OP posts:

Oopsypoopsy · 06/05/2017 17:02

Jellybabie, that's how much my mattress was too so I'm damn well going to be precious about it😂!

I'm also one for being organised, once I found out this was a boy at 20 weeks I started shopping and decorating haven't had to do a thing for the last few months because everything is done, washed put away ready to use. Hospital bags are ready too. Sounds like you'll be the same way! Enjoy it all, it's all pert of the fun if you ask me! x

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