Water birth after waters broken

**waahoo** · 05-05-2008 21:03

Hi there,

In some of the reading I've been doing, I've heard it said that you shouldn't have a bath once your waters have broken in case of infection. How is one supposed to accomplish a water birth then?

**the_queen** · 05-05-2008 21:10

You're supposed to ignore that piece of misinformation

**doulacara** · 05-05-2008 23:16

You can get in once you are in active labour. I have had my membranes rupture before labour twice and have used the bath during labour both times, birthing in it the second time.

The risk of infection is a problem for those women whose membranes rupture, but who then take a while (days even) before labour starts leaving time for an infection to develop. Although if you are sensible and careful about things like keeping the toilet seat clean and not having internal exams, it should be much less of a problem.

C

**GraceUnhearing** · 05-05-2008 23:26

i sent most of my first labour in the bath at the hospital
my waters had broken the day before

**MrsO** · 06-05-2008 00:16

Originally Posted by the_queen

You're supposed to ignore that piece of misinformation

Helps if you don't have people sticking their fingers in your vagina as well, that really minimises the risk of infection.

**Sheer Bliss** · 06-05-2008 07:20

My waters broke before i started having any contractions with DD, they knew that when i got to the hospy and i was still in the bath for most of the labour.

**only1mica** · 06-05-2008 13:34

Originally Posted by the_queen

You're supposed to ignore that piece of misinformation

ha ha ha

**waahoo** · 06-05-2008 21:50

Thanks, girls! I didn't think it sounded sensible! I had to laugh about the fingers comment...so true! It's perfectly fine to stick all manner of implements up there to help labour/birth along, but god forbid the woman has a bath!