another question about water breaking

summerjoy578 · October 2010

okay so if my water breaks Can I take a shower before going to hospital? I looked this up online and get mixed stories so I was wondering what you were told? I see my doc on tuesday so I can ask her then but in the meantime I am wondering. My water did not break with my first pregnancy. Also will the amniotic fluid ruin sheets, etc... if it breaks at night? Or will washing them take care of any stains?

hewinked · October 2010

Between my water breaking and having DD, it was 12 hours. I would say take a shower cuz you never know when you'll be able to again. If mine breaks at night, that's my plan. I don't see why you couldn't. I'm not sure about the sheets thing, but when your water breaks, it's clear.

kitkat0308 · October 2010

Well my water leaked before it actually broke with DD, so I ended up taking a quick shower. And when it finally broke, we were getting ready to leave for the hospital, so I was standing/leaning over the bassinet and it only got on the pants/undies I was wearing. It came out in the wash (which of course didn't happen until a couple of days later) so I don't think it stains.

scoutkate · October 2010

I did. A bath is probably not the best idea, but a shower is fine.

Jaimers375 · October 2010

Yes. With DS my water broke at 5:30 AM. When I called the dr I asked if I could take a shower, they said no problem. I wasn't having any contractions so it was no rush. We also stripped the bed, my inlaws threw them in the wash while we were in the hospital. The sheets were fine even after sitting around for a day. The fluid won't stain your sheets but there's usually some blood, that might stain.

Cheebe · October 2010

scoutkate:
I did. A bath is probably not the best idea, but a shower is fine.

You can't take a bath, since there isn't that safety barrier anymore between baby and the outside world. Your tub is probably not to terribly dirty, however, I'm sure there is bacteria in all of our tubs! I would probably take a shower but definetly not a bath!

FirstBabyMomma · October 2010

I was told that showers are fine, baths are not recommended. Perhaps something to do with the possibility of water/soap getting inside? I think a shower would be a good way to relax.

SweetPeanis · October 2010

Shower = yes. Bath = no.

MrsBatty · October 2010

Completely.

When my water broke I showered and ate some dinner. DH and I got to the hospital a few hours later.

My contractions hadn't even gotten uncomfortable at that point.

I don't know for sure, but I really don't think amniotic fluid will ruin sheets. It is mostly clear and doesn't really have a smell ... mine dripped all over the rugs in my bathroom and they didn't stain.

HTH.

summerjoy578 · October 2010

thanks for the info everyone!

nikipau144 · October 2010

Cheebe:

scoutkate:
I did. A bath is probably not the best idea, but a shower is fine.

You can't take a bath, since there isn't that safety barrier anymore between baby and the outside world. Your tub is probably not to terribly dirty, however, I'm sure there is bacteria in all of our tubs! I would probably take a shower but definetly not a bath!

This! Luckily, I took a shower at about 8pm, and my water broke at 1am. However, I do know that the hospital I delivered at would not let me use the labor tub since my water broke because the fact that bacteria would then be able to get in due to the barrier being non-existant. Good luck!

Daisy22 · October 2010

If the fluid is clear then yes shower is fine. For me, my water broke and it was brown as brown could be due to meconium. My OB wanted me at the hospital asap so they could insert a cathetar to flush my uterus before birth so hopefully DS1 wouldn't swallow any meconium.

LTMann · October 2010

I don't understand why a bath wouldn't be okay......then there wouldn't be water births.

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