FYI- Shower vs. Bath for contrax

[pixiesmommy]

Just to post an FYI...

When I was having all of those scary ctx that night, my MW told me to get into the tub to slow things down or get into the shower to speed things up, depending on what it was my goal to do.

Just wanted to throw that out there since so many of us are getting close and will be wanting warm water for relief!

[Dee-Groovy]

Good to know! Shower it is!

[LittleBrownDog]

Good to know!!! My back hurts today and I had some really mild contrax overnight, so I was afraid to take a shower this morning because I didn't want it to slow anything that might be starting!

[Heather Marie]

Why the difference? Does the shower help speed things up because the water causes nipple stimulation? Hmmmm. What about laboring in a birth pool, is that more likely to cause labor to stall? Or do you think if you are far enough along into labor getting in the pool wouldn't make a difference?

[LittleBrownDog]

My MWs have said (and I've read a few places) that you shouldn't get in the pool/tub in labor until you are pretty darn sure things are moving along and will continue to do so- really active labor. It can relax you enough to slow things down if you get in too early.

I'd guess the shower thing must be a combo of the nipple stimulation and standing up maybe?

[pixiesmommy]

Dunno.. she just said it was stimulating and that the bath was relaxing. I go in Tuesday, will try to remember to ask the reasoning.

Oh my.... BH AND the baby is digging at my cervix. OUCH!!!!

[adon]

i don't know too much about this, but i do know that if you use a tub for labor that pooring water over your belly while having cx helps the uncomfortable feelings...i thought since we were sharing, i would too

[StacieM]

I tend to have quick labors and someone did tell me that getting into a tub can help slow things up a bit.

I didn't know that about the shower. No wonder my labor with my son went even faster...my first thought when I woke up with cntrx was to take a shower and see if they stick around. By the end of the shower, I KNEW I was really in labor and we went to the hospital...he was born less than an hour after we arrived.

[marisa]

I do both in labor; run the shower over my head and belly while squatting in the warm bath. I just need a ton of stimulation to distract me from labor pain.

[melissakc]

That's weird. I want to know more. When I was in labor with DD, I got in the tub and things progressed quickly. I think it was because I was able to relax and have some privacy. I got in during very active labor and after about an hour felt the need to push.

But yesterday when I thought I was in labor, I took a shower and the ctx got really, really strong. And when I came home and got in the bath, they slowed down and then stopped.

This is very interesting. I will ask my MW the same thing and we can compare notes!

[LittleLlama]

And if you suspect labor but aren't sure... stay out of the bath unless there's someone to help you out!

DH still teases me about the 5am call for help out of the tub while I was in labor with DS

[Momma Aimee]

shower

[welldone]

Off to take a shower.

[AKmomof2+1inNov]

I wonder if I have enough hot water to shower until I have the baby?

[Curlita]

I read recently (in ACtive Birth) that it's best to wait until you are about 5 cm dilated (ie. things are moving along) before you get in a bath, because earlier than that it can slow things down.

[melissakc]

Erica, that makes sense of my different experiences with a bath--during labor it helped to speed things up but this week it has helped to stop my contractions completely.