What if my water breaks at work?

[snozzberry]

I'm planning to work up until I'm in early labor. But what if I'm one of those women whose first sign is her water breaking?

Am I supposed to wear pads to work now or something?

[Sandi13]

Eh, we're buying new chairs here anyway! LOL.

If you're nervous about it, wear a pad. I did the other night when we were at a Super Bowl Party. Didn't want to ruin someone else's couch.

[kathywiehl]

You will probably be fine. I think its rare for water to break before labor starts but if you are worried then wear a pad. I'm not sure there is much you can do other than that.

[Teenytoona]

Yeap snozzberry, that's my great worry too!! I'm working up until the very end, and I'm getting silly about it all! I also worry about getting stuck here in a blizzard (in rush hour traffic it's about an hour commute, so in a blizzard it could be more). I wear a liner, not that that would hold an entire gushing break though. I'm holding out for 1. many women start in the wee small hours of the morning and 2. not all labors start with water breaks...

We can lump ourselves into that category, right??

[slgt]

Starting next week, I'm going to carry a change of pants & underwear in my car with me. Similar to Teeny, I have a long-ish commute (45 minutes) and live in a very wintry climate, so feel like I ought to be prepared, just in case. And I guess I figure eh, if it breaks at work, I'll feel kind of badly because someone will have to clean it up, but it's so thoroughly out of my control, what can I do....

[smokeylo]

Snozz, I've been thinking about this too with all the mucus plug/water breaking talk. I think an extra pair of clothes on hand isn't a bad idea, and I will probably start wearing a liner to teach just in case. Even if it's just for peace of mind, and my plug doesn't ever come out or water doesn't break until I'm in transition -- I won't be obsessing over it (I def. don't need help obsessing!!).

[True Blue]

Funny, I just saw a stat the other day for 95% of women, their water breaks at home, the hospital, or in the Dr's office. Add to that that most labors don't start with water breaking...and you have a very small chance of it happening at work.

[lilyblossom]

I keep telling people here at work that I'll be here UNTIL my water breaks because I want a new chair . I suspect I'll be on maternity leave before then though if my hips and back keep up like they are today.

[flapjack]

I found my mama cloth really comfortable those last few weeks anyhow, acting as counter-pressure to all that- erm, pressure. If your water breaks at work, people will just be very embarrassingly happy and excited for you.

Don't you eat lunch, btw? I couldn't make it to 1pm without needing a change of clothes towards the end because of all the mess I was making when I ate... or is that just me? :

[clynnr]

Absolutely not! You're pregnant. You will go into labor at some point. People expect that. The baby has to come out!

Seriously though, bring some towels and store them somewhere at work if you want, but they will deal with it. It probably won't happen anyway.