Baths in late pregnancy

[*Kimmy*]

I have heard a few things about not having baths in the latter months of pregnancy due to a risk of infection with water entering the cervix. Is this true? Only reason I ask is, I hear lots of women still having baths to bring on labour or for back pain relief and so I have become a little confused! Help! I love my baths (they give me much needed solitude and stress relief!!), but I don't want to do anything I shouldn't be when it gets closer to DD. :confused:

[whatwasithinking]

I had daily baths (for me it was like a craving - I needed to have a bath everyday or I didn't feel right or cope well) right up to the day I gave birth to both my girls.

I would have had a bath when I was in labour but I ended up having emergency c/section with dd#1 and elective c/section with dd#2.

I even had really hot baths.

Both my girls absolutley love bathtime now and always have since they were born so it can't be all that bad I guess.

[Ana Gram]

I had baths, I was even in the bath before I went to hospital to ease the pain of contractions. I think it might be more of a concern if the waters have broken.

[cwsmum]

I had baths while I was in labor with DS. I remember being told that baths are fine unless your waters have broken...but that could be wrong too.

[dna13]

I had baths all the way through my first pregnancy and like chellegoth, was in the bath before i left for the hospital. The only problem i ever had was trying to get out. :laughing:

[wattle]

I think it's best for bub if they're not too hot. It's pretty hard for bubs to cool down in there.

Tip for getting out - while the water is still in the bath roll over onto your hands and knees (head over the plug). Pull out the plug. Once the water has drained, use side of bath and push up to standing (or use a rail if there's one thats well mounted). :fingerscrossed:

[Taylors_mum]

Baths are great during pregnancy.

Even after your waters have broken its ok to have a bath. I was lucky enough to have a spa in my delivery suite and it was the best for relaxing during contractions.

They made me wait till i was 4-5cms dialated before they let me have a spa though as it can be so relaxing it can slow the contractions down.

[PinkBinkie]

I think I read somewhere that you should avoid baths once you've lost the mucousy plug and/or waters have broken, but don't quote me on this!

I loved my baths, especially in the last few weeks. The water provides that lovely support to your big belly. And bubs loved it too, I could always feel her kicking while in the bath tub.

Happy bathing :smiliedance:

[Baby Girl]

I was in the bath at the hospital after my waters had broken and it was actually the midwife that suggested it!!

I think it also has alot to do with the temperature of the water - not exactly sure what but something about the body regulating the internal temperature is not as efficient during pg so if you have it too hot it can cause some sort of problem.

[jessi]

what about people who have water births in a bath tub? with warm water etc?

im confused lol

[wattle]

Jessi I think warm water is perfect, it's just if it's really hot then it's not so good for bubs.

[reAllytee]

Its more the safety issue with it either being too hot or you hurting yourself when getting in or out.
So id suggest having someone home when having one just in case !
The thing with the heat i would say also has to do with if you do start having contractions your pain threshold rises so it means that you often cant feel how hot the water is so may burn yourself unwittingly.
My hospital ended up having to ban heat packs as women were giving themselves vicious burns when birthing partners unknowingly kept doing the right thing by the women when saying they needed it hotter would heat them up more the women would then either keep them to their backs for long periods or lay on them resulting in horrible results. Bummer really as i so couldve gone a heat pack LOL.

[Tam-I-Am]

They (the mysterious they of the scientific variety, as the-queen puts it!) used to think that you shouldn't bath in late pregnancy because of the risk of infection via dirty bath water entering the cervix and contaminating the amniotic fluid etc.

They now know that this is **** - unless you jump into the bath (unlikely in late pregnancy) or douche or otherwise push water into the vagina with some force, there is unlikely to be any problem.

There is a slight risk of infection if you bath after you have lost the mucous plug AND your waters have broken. Even in this case, baths are often suggested during labour to help ease the pain (I don't personally understand this - it was the WORST thing ever for me during labour!!), so as long as you make sure that the tub is relatively clean, and the quality of the water where you live is okay - ie drinkable - then you should be alright.

If you have concerns though, you should talk to your OB about it - or ring the local maternity ward. I personally couldn't have lived without my baths in late pg!

[kyannas*mum*]

i loved the bath:yelclap: the only thing that made me feel better but then i didnt want to get out:D

[Bree79]

I was hanging out for a bath late in my pregnancy but just wasn't game for fear I wouldn't be able to get myself out again! :eek:

[annsam]

My understanding from my reading when pg was that baths were ok if not too hot and there isn't a risk of infection unless the waters break and then if its your own bath and your own germs and you are bathing in labour its not a major. Water is recommended by most hospitals to help with labour. Thats my understanding anyway....... plus some hospitals do aqua aerobics classes that go through for as long as you are pregnant but they wont let you get in the pool if your waters are broken.

I had a bath every day for the last trimester - wonderful.