Having a shower or bath will not increase the risk of infection. Sex might though, so avoid it after your waters break. Your midwife should check your baby's heartbeat every 24 hours during this time.
It is fine to take a bath or a shower, but please avoid sexual intercourse as this may increase the risk of infection. We will arrange a time for you to return to hospital if your labour does not start within 24 hours. This will either be for your induction of labour or a check-up.
I got up to use the bathroom, and I will never forget this—the nurse told me, “That's the last time you will be allowed to walk. After you get back in bed, you are on strict bed rest because your water has broken.” I was also told I was not allowed to eat or drink (not evidence-based).
Doctors typically recommend inducing labor if it does not begin naturally within 24 hours of water breaking. When a pregnant person's waters break, the amniotic sac can no longer protect against infection. The pregnant person and the fetus become at risk for infections such as chorioamnionitis and sepsis.
You can have a bath or shower with plain water. Do not add any bubble bath or oils to the water. Avoid sexual intercourse. Remain as active as possible; this will encourage your contractions to start.
To help lower the small chance of infection: » Do not put anything into your vagina (no fingers or tampons, no sex). » Do not take baths until active labour (showers are okay). Put on a pad. If your water is broken, it will keep leaking.
“Lying flat on the bed doesn't help mild latent labor establish into strong active labor,” Fray says. “Women need to mobilize. Being upright increases the pressure of the fetal head on the cervix, making the contractions more effective.”
Yes, your baby will still move after your water breaks and should continue to keep moving right through labor. Feeling your baby move is very important, so if you notice any changes or have any concerns, contact your doctor right away.
Note the color, the amount and the smell. This can also help you decide if it's amniotic fluid, pee or vaginal discharge. Only your healthcare provider can confirm if your water has broken with a vaginal exam, nitrazine paper or litmus paper. Litmus and nitrazine paper change color on contact with amniotic fluid.
If your cervix has opened up to at least 2-3 centimetres dilated and the baby's head is well engaged (low down in your pelvis), your waters will be broken (see below under Artifical Rupture of Membranes). If it is not possible to break your waters a second Propess pessary may be inserted if appropriate.
If your water breaks, whether you're experiencing contractions or not, go to the hospital. This will help reduce the risk of infection. Note the color, odor and amount of fluid when your water broke.
When your water breaks you might experience a sensation of wetness in your vagina or on your perineum, an intermittent or constant leaking of small amounts of watery fluid from your vagina, or a more obvious gush of clear or pale yellow fluid.
Limit Water Use - Try to limit water use during a water main break. Avoid drinking tap water, taking a shower or bath, doing laundry, or running the dishwasher. Dirt, debris, and bacteria can contaminate water after a water main break.
If your baby is not born within the next 24 hours after your waters breaking, he/ she will need to stay in hospital for 12 hours after birth so they can be closely monitored for any signs of an infection. A small number of women will not go into labour within 48 hours and will be advised to have their labour induced.
Leaking amniotic fluid might feel like a gush of warm fluid or a slow trickle from the vagina. It will usually be clear and odorless but may sometimes contain traces of blood or mucus. If the liquid is amniotic fluid, it is unlikely to stop leaking.
When this happens the length of time between the waters breaking and the contractions starting varies. Although we cannot predict on an individual basis how long it may be, we do know that about 6 in 10 (60%) women will start labour naturally within 24 hours.
: childbirth characterized by premature escape of the amniotic fluid.
Spending most of your time in bed, especially lying on your back, or sitting up at a small angle, interferes with labor progress: Gravity works against you, and the baby might be more likely to settle into a posterior position.
Reflux and heartburn: If you suffer from heartburn, sleeping on your right side can make symptoms worse, Salas says. That's true for people who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and for people who have heartburn for other reasons, such as pregnant women. Flip to your left side to cool the burn.