I'm 38 weeks pregnant and feel labor coming soon. Can i take a shower after i go into labor? I want to be clean before i go in to the hospital. I was wondering this because i don't know if it's okay because what if my water breaks while i'm in the shower? Will i know?
2007-03-10 11:21:37 · 15 answers · asked by newmom 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Yes you can take a shower after your water breaks, just make sure you have someone else with you for safety reasons. I had bad back labor with my daughter and the nurses had me take a shower there, the hot water on my back helped a little.
2007-03-10 11:29:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can take a shower. As a matter of fact, that's one of the things they say you should do as you're going into labor to relax... warm water will ease the ache in your back, and might stop false contractions. Baths, on the other hand, aren't recommended.
Even when you're in the shower, you'll know if your water breaks. It's going to be a gush, and even a slow leak will show up on your underwear at some point after the shower anyway. When your water breaks, you've still got time to pack your bags and get to the hospital as long as your water is clear and odor free.
Don't worry about it. Your body knows what to do. Just relax at home while you still can.
2007-03-10 19:27:51 · answer #2 · answered by Luann 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you can shower, you can even ask to do it at the hospital, during labor, if the water will help relax you. you're the boss, do what works for you
if your water were to break while you're in the shower, it's not that big a deal. you might not realize straight away, but don't fret. constantly wet panties will clue you in soon enough.
not very many women mention this, but smell is also an indicator. amniotic fluid has a very distinct smell, it's kind of sweet and musty. not GROSS smell, but you'll definitely be able to tell it's not urine or anything else you've ever smelled
take a shower if it will make you feel better. I do like the idea of taking a shower with your husband. God knows you can't quite reach everything you used to. Let him scrub your back for you, it will feel good. and he's there in case something happens.
best of luck to you!
2007-03-10 19:32:52 · answer #3 · answered by Patty O' Green 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to have a shower while you are in labour. Chances of your water breaking while you are in the shower are pretty slim, and often your water doesn't break when you go into labour and the doctor ends up breaking it for you. My doctor actually suggested that I have a warm shower or bath when I went into labour to help relax me. I hope that this helps!
Check out this link to the Mayo Clinic that gives a lot of great info about labour...(they actually suggest a warm shower too!)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stages-of-labor/PR00106
2007-03-10 19:46:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people do take a shower before they go to the hospital, it acutally can help with labor pains too. They can check if your water broke once you get to the hospital. If this is your first, it could take a while.
Good luck!!!!!
2007-03-10 19:26:36 · answer #5 · answered by Brittney U 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well with me there was no way to not tell that my water broke cause it poured out the second i got up in bed but some women leak which can be dangerous so if you feel like your leaking go to your dr to test the fluid and check u on ultra sound. other than that yea you can shower b4 but as for after they didnt want me to shower right away cause of the episiotomy(cut down there) healing so check with your doc as to what his/her rules are for after labor and showering cause once the baby is home it might be hard to find time to shower if no one is around when you want to unless you get like a bassinet or bouncer. good luck
2007-03-10 19:28:42 · answer #6 · answered by kartoon529 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From my experience, my water broke and it trickled out. It wasn't a big gush. It would just be little wet spots on my underwear. My water broke on a Friday night and we went to the hospital on Sat and they sent me home because they said it wasn't amniotic fluid..then I kept trickling out fluid and on Sunday they finally admitted me. But over that weekend I had taken 3 showers and I still knew that my water had broken...because it was just trickling out instead of gushing. So don't worry..you can shower! You'll know when your water is breaking.
2007-03-10 19:27:09 · answer #7 · answered by Angela 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can shower after your water breaks no problem, many hospitals encourage it. You can even give birth in clean water in a birthing tub or your own tub. You are generally encouraged to clean it well first though.
2007-03-10 19:26:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you'll be very happy if your water breaks in the shower. Yes, you can take a shower./
2007-03-10 19:25:50 · answer #9 · answered by pieceomind4me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well when I was in full labor I took a cool shower it just seemed like it relieved me in some way.
2007-03-10 19:36:28 · answer #10 · answered by mammagin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋