Scared to go out incase waters break

[maybebaby88]

Title says it all really. I'm 9 days overdue atm and going mad just sat at home all day! But I'm really worried that if I go out my waters will break and I'll go into labour. For some reason it makes me feel really anxious, even about just going up to the shop. I was thinking I may go for a drive in a bit and grab a bit of shopping when I'm out but am finding it hard to make myself go. Don't know what I'm asking really, I guess I'm just looking for a bit of reassurance that it woildn't be so bad!

Also: should I take my hospital notes with me even if I just pop out for an hour?

What specifically are you anxious about? I honestly can't really see the problem with your waters breaking when you're out. The chances that your labour will start that way are fairly low anyway - most people's waters don't break until they're well into established labour.

Getting moving out and about can only help things.

I think it's just the embarassment of it. I know that's really silly! I guess I'm just imagining the whole movie scenario of a tidal wave of water flooding the place. I'm overthinking aren't I?

Get yourself out! 😀
You're going to be a mummy and i can assure you toddlers are great at embarrassing you in public, so use it as a chance to practice not caring 😀😀😀

What’s worrying you about it? If it’s people seeing it then I wouldn’t worry. They’re strangers you’d never see again. For the most part I think people would be sympathetic anyway. Wear something dark and carry on.
If you’re worried about going into labour in the biscuit isle at Sainsbury’s it’s highly unlikely. You’ll have time to get to hospital. Don’t worry x

It’s not embarrassing at all! And it’s not like the cleaners in supermarkets lick it up or use bare hands! Lol they have equipment, and waters breaking is probably much higher on their list than child vomit and pee that they get regularly.
Honestly don’t worry, the only thing people will be thinking is awwww her waters have just gone! And likely excitedly tell somebody when they get home. Chances are your waters will go when you’re more relaxed though, in bed or sitting down etc. I wouldn’t worry - go get some shopping!

Just put a pad on and go out!

Yes get yourself out! And I don't know if it's true or not but everyone says it...
If your waters go in Asda/tesco you'll get a years worth of free nappies worth a go to stock up!

If it helps, waters breaking doesn't always happen. I went 12 days (I think) overdue and DS was nearly born in them as they didn't go until the last minute.

If it's your first labour, you should have plenty of time to get home if you feel contractions start when you're out and about but if it's easy to take your notes and it makes you feel better to have them handy then you may as well take them.

Would it help you feel more secure if you wear a pad?

Thank your for your kind responses. I think I've spent too much time sat in with nothing to do but worry. And good point about the embarassing toddler situation. I will give myself a mental shake and get out. Thanks again xx

And yes! A pad is a good idea. Thanks 😊

I used to loiter in big name department stores hoping it would happen for the freebies. Never did. Stick some tena pants on and go out.

Also, unlike in the movies, most of us start early labour a good while before waters break - you'd usually be feeling a lot of contractions before they go.

Haha I never knew that about the free stuff! Maybe I should take my birthing ball and bounce down the aisles....

Both times my waters broke quite dramatically at 36 & 37 weeks respectively and I am the only person I know in real life whose broke before they went into labour.
Its such a rare thing and if it does happen it's more "shit I'm having a baby" moment than one to worry about being embarrassed.

Although mine were dramatic the tidal wave situation only happened with no.2 as I had polyhydramnious and my huge bump was mainly excess waters, it went when I was going to the loo at the hospital so I ended up shouting for help and being bundled off for monitoring.
No.1 broke at my desk in my office (I worked in an all male practice - construction) .... which was slightly more embarrassing but at least then everyone knew my maternity leave was starting early and no one was bothered, more excited than anything.
I suspect if you are overdue nothing will happen without giving you a clue so if you are feeling fine (well as fine as you can when carrying at full term) a short jaunt out will probably do you some good and take your mind off it. Take someone with you or at least your phone if you are nervous. Remember your popping to the shops not climbing Mount Everest - it'll be fine

You'll be fine. Go out and get some fresh air. My waters broke dramatically with my first. I happened to be at home, but other that urgently needing a poo shortly after, I would have had plenty of time to get home. Light period cramps started within about 30 minutes, but I wasn't in established labour for another 2 hours. I had a fairly quick birth - 11 hours from waters to her being born - and even then I would have easily been able to get myself home. I'd be more concerned about the embarrassment of making a scene and having to drive home in wet clothes. But just bring a bed mat or something else to put on your car seat to protect it. But I would have made it home and been able to drive myself just fine. I would maybe just not go anywhere too far away, 20-30 minutes max, if you are driving yourself.

It's about 1 in 10 ladies who's water breaks before they are in labour, if you then multiply that by the chances of you being out and about when that happens....you've not much chance really.

I've read you get lots of freebies from the supermarket if your water breaks in there...I might start hanging around the Waitrose veg aisle myself actually!

This is also true ^ my waters trickled at first (I wasn’t even sure they were going) and had the dramatic GUUUSHHHH about two hours later, so I had plenty of notice. With my second the waters only bust when his head was half out!

Go out! Don't worry or feel embarrassed! Go get some shopping...go get Cake!

Forget the pad, put a nappy in your pants.
X

wonkylegs Mine went in exactly the same way - tidal wave at 36 weeks - if they go like that then pad/nappy/bucket won't be much help!

You will be fine - when they do go anyway it isn't like in the movies when they pop a balloon - and moving may help you out. When are you due to be induced if you don't start naturally?

Waters rarely seem to break. I don't know many people who have had it happen (one of my 3 so far only) and the majority I do know of happened in bed, including mine.

You will look back in a week and realise that waters breaking in public was the least embarrassing thing that happened this week!

Oh mine went with an audible pop! (Sorry)

I felt mine really bulging when I was walking around Tesco with dd2. Thought my insides were going to drop out as I was walking round, a really heavy dragging feeling.

Luckily they waited until I was home and went in my hallway! Mine went with a pop and a gush but I don’t remember any getting on the floor, my pants/jeans just absorbed the waters.