Should i prepare for my waters to break?

[ferrals5]

Out of my 4 kid's my waters only broke by themselves once i was 37 weeks and was laying on the lounge and felt and heard the POP so i got up and made it to the bathroom before any water ran down my legs and a maternity pad was enough to keep me dry until i made it to hospital but i did do the garbage bag and towel thing for my mattress.

[LimeSlice]

Really? Mine STANK! But I had alot of blood come out too and the waters were mec stained.. Would this explain the smell? I was also at a friends birth and distinctly remember the smell of her waters too. Can't remember whether they were mec stained or not though.

That is exactly why they stank, and that is not how they should be at all. If they are mec stained then that is a problem, hence why you should contact your care provider if they break and there is an odour.
The mec can indicate fetal distress, and also poses serious risk to bubs if aspirated, it can be fatal for them.

[Harriet]

My DH smelt the wet patch to make sure I hadn't just wet myself lol

I've been joking about this!!
I don't wake up to go to the loo in the middle of the night, so have been a bit worried about wetting the bed and not being sure if its my waters or not.

Friends last night said to buy a few shower curtains in preparation, which they didn't end up needing as its thought her waters broke in the bath.

[Taurean]

I've been joking about this!!
I don't wake up to go to the loo in the middle of the night, so have been a bit worried about wetting the bed and not being sure if its my waters or not.

Friends last night said to buy a few shower curtains in preparation, which they didn't end up needing as its thought her waters broke in the bath.

It's quite different to wee so you'll know the difference It's like normal vaginal discharge - watery with white bits through it, like watery and creamy CM combined. That's how mine was at least. And it doesn't smell. A lot of women feel and hear the pop too so if it does happen, you may get that tiny bit of warning!

[~Stoked~]

That is exactly why they stank, and that is not how they should be at all. If they are mec stained then that is a problem, hence why you should contact your care provider if they break and there is an odour.
The mec can indicate fetal distress, and also poses serious risk to bubs if aspirated, it can be fatal for them.

Ah, I was wondering why other people thought I was strange when I said mine had a bad smell! I knew about the whole mec = fetal distress thing, so we went off to the hospital immediately. Luckily baby was absolutely fine. Mum was concerned about the amount of blood though, there was ALOT. They never explained why though.

[MummyOfTerrors]

my student midwife asked for my 2 pervious birth/labour details and in my 1st birth it was noted it was blood stained
i remember at the time the tone of the midwifes voice was a little odd but when i asked they said oh nothing to worry about (my 1st didnt have any issues during labour)

[Cranky Kitten]

You can get mattress protectors in most bed sizes quite easily - mine is a king but we have a thick cotton underlay that is also a waterproof protector on it as I don't like putting the sheet straight onto the mattress anyway.

Interesting idea about the towels for the car and everything though, I was induced when DD was born so my waters were broken at the beginning of that while already in hospital so never really thought of it.

[misty]

We bought a good waterproof mattress protector when I was pregnant with my first. My waters have never broken until I got to the pushing stage (at hospital) so it was never a problem, but with the amount of milk leaking and baby perk afterwards, the protector is a good investment. I have never worried about the car before, but as we are buying a brand new car for this baby, I will be putting a towel on the seat JIC. Statistically The chances of your waters breaking before established labour is really low, so I wouldn't stress too much.

[Babyluv]

We bought a mattress protecter from Target. My waters broke in bed. I woke up at 7am feeling a little wet down there, bolted to the bathroom, just made it & gush gush gush hehe. Keep some maternity pads in your handbag in case it happens while you're out. Mine started gushing & didn't stop for hrs. I had 10hrs before CX started though so still had time to go shopping & get a few things I wanted for hospy. I also kept a towel on my car seat just in case. Better to be safe than have to buy a new mattress etc. Stock up on the pads though, if they do break you may need quite alot of them like I did, if you don't you'll use them after birth anyway.
Mine was clear and like water, alkaline smell etc.
Good luck

[_JeSs_]

never thought of this with DS! luckily i was induced and my waters were broken about an hr b4 he was born! will prob just sleep on some towels and have a towel in the car this time

[Sheree.A]

i have never thought of this either but what a great idea just in case..especially after we just bought a new car lol