When your waters brake can you...

[BlondieNBump]

Have a bath? This was my plan to try relax myself a bit through the contrations because I want to try and stay at home for aslong as I can but I have just read on a post that you can't? I may have read this all wrong just wanted to know please? Thanks girlies xxx

 

[xxEMZxx]

I thought they say as soon as your waters break you should go to hospital if your having a hopsital birth?

 

[mandylou]

i too was planning on having a bath for pain relief until the contractions are close enough to go to hosp...(presuming waters go first) but im not sure now either! ill be keeping an eye on this thread.

 

[katieeandbump]

hi hun... i thought having a bath after ur waters break was a big no no... i went straight up to hospital and my waters had completely gone.. i was sent home and advised to stay in the bath which i did and had no problems he was born in 6 hours totally fine so i think it is good but obv go to the hospital once ur waters break before having a bath as bubs was checked over before i was sent home good luck x

 

[firef1y]

I'm pretty sure that you can't (at home at least), as there's a risk of infection. But I have had baths once in the labour ward before, (no bubbles or anything tho) but there's the midwifes there to make sure everything's ok.

 

[BlondieNBump]

I have been told to ring labour ward and let them know and they will probs want me to come in and get checked over but if everythings fine they normaly tell you to go home and rest and come back in when you can't breath through the contractions. I think they do this because if your in the comfort of your own home it's more relaxing and better than being stuck in a little room for hours. Xxx

 

[happygal]

things might of changed in the 8 years since i had my son but when i was in labour with him, my waters went, the mw came out to check that it was def my waters, she looked up my with a torch lol and confirmed that it was my waters. i was told to stay at home until i was really struggling with the pain and she also advised having a bath to help me relax a bit xx

 

[LulaBug]

I think a bath is fine but absolutely no bubbles are allowed. Just plain warm water.

 

[kristen77]

I am in the same position - want to stay at home for as long as possible but I have def read that you shouldn't have a bath after your waters have broken - I have read that showers are advised but this would be no where near as relaxing I don't think - or as comfy. I was planning on ringing labour ward to forewarn them that I was in labour and asking then, should my waters go before I go in...

 

[venusrockstar]

I would say no...don't think it's safe because you're at a greater risk for infection. You should get straight to the hospital.

The reason being that the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby is what keeps the whole environment sterile for baby, when that water breaks it is easy to get an infection which may not hurt you but hurt the baby.

 

[Charlieblue]

I think i would call the labour ward if my waters go as i think they will advise you what to do then, this is my first and i live almost an hour from the hospital so don't want to risk anything. xxx

 

[LogansMama]

People do water births all the time... and I would assume the waters have broken already? I really don't know - but I can't see the harm as long as its just water and no soap or anything....

I say check with your doctor or MW - seein as how you are getting all these differing opinions on this!

 

[BlondieNBump]

Thanks girls, I think when I go in if and wheny waters break to get LO checked over I will see what they say. It seems diffrent midwives have diffrent views. I really hope I can have one because they always relax me xxx

 

[MiissMuffet]

I thought they say as soon as your waters break you should go to hospital if your having a hopsital birth?

i dont think so. as long as you are full term and the waters are clear u can labour at home. obviously u have to let them know as there is a time limit until u have to have your baby. My midwife told me if my waters break in the middle of the night and all is normal and i havnt started having contractions i can just call her in the morning x

 

[ricschick]

baths are fine when your waters brake no problem xx

 

[JessiHD]

Call your mw and check hun. You could always have a shower. Xx

 

[loopy_lou]

Well i am at home having had my waters go would love a bath but can't get out so I have had 2 relaxing hot showers I don't use soap so no issue there but got no advice re not having a bath when they sent me home. I can see why staying in the bath is useful as walking around with water continualy dripping or gushing out of u is uncomfortable. Staying at home as long as possible seams to be the hospitals choice as well and the maternity pads I got from them this morning were about 1/3 smaller than the boots ones so I am making sure I have 30 with me when I do go in

 

[Tashry]

The book from my hospital says specifically not to, but maybe the recommendations vary from place to place. I was told that being in the bath can introduce bacteria that can cause infections. They told me shower was fine, but bath was not. However, my hospital also has a very strict policy against water births for the same reason. On my hospital tour they told us that while they understand some hospitals and doctors support water births, after reviewing all the information and evidence, their conclusion is that it is not safe for mother and/or child and they will not allow it in the hospital. (Not saying I do or do not agree - just passing on the info for the hospital in my city).

I was told that when my water breaks to call (not go to) the hospital because they want baby to be out within 24 hours - after that the risk of bacteria getting in and causing infection is too high. They want me to stay at home as long as possible, stay in touch via the phone and they will advise me when to come over.

 

[MrsMouse]

As a midwife I can tell you what I advise women and what my hospital does. (Please note this is UK based advice I don't know what the advice is elsewhere)

If you're waters break the reason we ask you to come to hospital is to: "assess fetal and maternal wellbeing"

this means we check to make sure you are well and not running a temperature or having blood pressure problems (which can be a problem in labour)

we also check to make sure that your waters are clear - if they are green/ brown this can mean that baby has done a poo (meconium) inside you - this can be a sign of distress in an unborn baby although it can be more common if you are overdue - therefore you would be offered continous monitoring if this were the case.

you might be offered an internal examination - to make sure that there is no cord prolaspse (where the cord comes through the cervix before baby is born) a very rare thing and most women feel "something up there" if the cord has come down. This results in an emergency c/s. The internal examination also may confirm if you are in "established labour" if you're contractions are regular or strong.

if you're waters have gone and either all is well or you're not in established labour you will probably be sent home to either wait for labour to start or really get going. If this is the case or if you are low risk and in a birth centre then you can have a bath or shower for pain relief or use the pool if you are in established labour.

if you are high risk - maybe group b strep positive, or you've had a previous c/s or other reason that you are high risk - you may not be "allowed" to get in a bath. Ask your midwife what she says if you're in any doubt.

if your waters have gone and nothing else is happening - it also gives us a time to "start the clock from". We know that the risk of infection to baby goes up after the waters have broken. My old hospital used to allow 72 hours for labour to start, my current hospital only allows 18 hours. Just remember that labour will only start if you are relaxed, feel safe and go with what you want to do.

Hope that helps!

Mrs mouse

 

[mamato2more]

Ok..Let's talk risk of infection...If you are a regular bath taker, then you are immune to your germs, and those in your tub, in your home..Your own germs will not make you sick..However, I just cannot see that the hospital tub is cleaner than the one at home..You have germs from people who have used those tubs before, despite how well they clean them, you are exposing yourself to germs to which you have no immunity. I am sure they bleach it, or whatever to make it clean, but with a broken bag of waters, I would not take a chance on a hospital tub over my own..