Hey Siestas! It seems like everyone is in Woodstock, Georgia, this weekend for the live recording of Travis’ new album. Very Very Pregnant Girl (that’s me, AKA VVPG) is unable to travel and join in on the fun. I feel like I’m just waiting around for something exciting to happen at this point. The countdown to my due date is just nineteen days. I’m considered full term now at 37 weeks and am definitely feeling it! I believe all Baby Girl is really doing at this point is gaining weight. I always think about how wise God was when He planned it this way. How much would it stink to carry around a seven pounder for several months? It’s proof of God’s mercy that they don’t get this big until the very end.
We’re almost completely ready for Baby Girl to get here. The nursery has been transformed from blue and brown to pink, yellow, green, and blue. Her closet is perfectly organized and filled with all kinds of wonderful things. I’ve got a package of newborn Pampers Swaddlers ready to do what they were created to do. I have an appointment for fresh highlights on Tuesday. Oh, and a friend gave me a gift certificate for a pedicure so I’ll have pretty toes in the hospital. How sweet of her!
I’ve been packing in every opportunity to do this or that with friends since I will be home bound for a while once she comes. Curtis and I are having a date night tonight since we never know when it will be our last chance! I’m sure we truly do have 19 days to go, but we feel like we’re in any-minute-mode.
So I’m having the common fear of every VVPG. What if my water breaks in public? Y’all, I’m terrified of this. I really wasn’t afraid of it when I was expecting Jackson because I’d never experienced that phenomenon before. Ignorance was bliss. When it happened to me in my hospital bed I was horrified. I will refrain from describing it in detail, but it was much more dramatic than I was prepared for. I actually cried, y’all. It was the beginning of the end of my modesty and dignity, which were basically decimated during the next few days. Is anyone with me on this? And look at the result – three years later I’m writing about my water breaking on a blog!
I was telling a friend that I’m preparing to sequester myself late next week so that I can avoid my water breaking in public. (It remains to be seen if I will actually stick to this.) Then she asked me if I’ve ever actually known anyone who this happened to. Nope. Can’t think of anyone.
Since we women love to tell our birth stories, I thought some of you who have experienced your water breaking in public might want to share. Was it awful or were you too excited to care?
I’m not sure my mom and sister won’t be horrified by this blog post. I have no way of knowing since they’re at Travis’ concert. Maybe my acid reflux, swollen ankles, inability to breathe well, crowded rib cage, and frequent trips to the powder room are clouding my judgment. If this post disappears, you’ll know why. In the meantime, I’m claiming that it’s better to ask for forgiveness than for permission!
You are precious and I don’t think anyone will object to this blog today. Enjoy your date. Don’t worry about your water breaking in public. There are many things and people out there that draw waaaay more attention to themselves than you would with that. So relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.
I think it’s true that usually your water doesn’t break after a first pregnancy…meaning the doctors usually have to do it because labor is already well under way. Does this make you feel better? My first pregnancy, my water broke as I got out of our car in the garage right after a trip to the grocery store! Whew!!! My second I just went into labor and they broke my water. The same with my last pregnancy. So, have no fear! My friend always carried around a jar of pickles in the grocery store. That way, if her water broke she could drop the pickle jar and blame it on that! Congratulations in advance!
I have three children. My water only broke with my first one but I only knew it because it made a “pop” sound. When it broke my baby’s head dropped down and plugged up the “opening” so there wasn’t much fluid coming out. I’ve never heard of anyone gushing water in public. Good luck!
Hey Amanda! I just found this blog and I love it! My bible study group is doing Esther soon. We LOVE your mom’s studies!!! My water broke in the middle of the night when I got up to go to the bathroom. It was such a small trickle that I couldn’t decide if it was my water breaking or if I lost bladder control. 🙂 When the contractions started at two min. apart I figured it was my water breaking and we went to the hospital. I think you’ll be so excited to get the show on the road that you won’t care when it happens! Praying for you to have a safe, healthy, and quick delivery!!
My water broke before labor both times I was pregnant. Fortunately I was at home both times (in bed asleep the first time and changing my son’s diaper the second time). Even so, both times I initially thought I had just peed on myself. Its not a big gush unless the tear is right over the opening (you know what I mean). Most of the time its just a trickle. Hope that makes you feel a little better 🙂
Amanda, I’m 36 weeks pregnant and right there with you. Terrified about the water thing. Good luck!
Both of mine were with the Dr.’s crochet hook during labor…
I must tell you…if you have back labor my favorite place was the toilet…nothing under me, nothing behind me…or my hub’s fist pushing into my back as hard as possible!
Baby Blessings! We can’t wait to share in your joy!!
Heather
amanda,
congratulations girl! almost there. we have 3 children and i am expecting #4 (fourth and final unless there is divine intervention). my water only broke with my second kelli. if it had been my first pregnancy i may not have even know that is what it was. it was only about the size of a quarter. now when they break it in the hospital it is a huge amount, but when it happened naturally at least for me it wasn’t (the rest came in the hospital). it probably won’t break anyway, but i will say the labor was def easier that way for me. i had hoped it would happen with luke, but it didn’t. we had to force him out! ha! 🙂 anyway, worst case scenario it breaks in the store and you just run out the door and drive to the hospital. at least you would have a dramatic story, and really no big deal! take care! kimberly, alabama
My water broke in the middle of the night. My husband’s response, “I knew something happened; you haven’t moved that fast in months.” Gotta love him!
I have never heard of anyones water breaking in public!..I had my first little baby on December 11 and I was so scared that it was going to break in public too! It didn’t..they did break it in the hospital bed and I was so embarrassed. I didn’t really think about it after I got to hold my sweet boy in my arms!
My water broke during dinner with friends at a Kobe’s Japanese Steak House. We were an hour-and-a-half from home too. I’m not sure the most blog-appropriate way to describe it except to say it as a slow, steady leak. It was also five weeks early, so inside I was kind of freaking but at the same time felt like all would be okay. I excused myself to the restroom and confirmed what I thoughst was going on. I didn’t want to get everyone else all concerned and focused on me, so after what seemed like forever-long, casual chit-chat I finally said that the smoke of the cooking was getting to me and maybe we should head out. We said our goodbyes and as soon as our car door was shut I told my husband what I suspected and we began our series of phone calls. God was in all the details though because it just so happened that my mother and sister were shopping in the same town we were in and were minutes from the interstate exit where we were eating. They very easily caught up with us on the interstate and followed us to my birthing center (from where I was later sent to the hospital since I was pre-term).
Yes…a woman does love to tell her birth story. Thanks for letting me share and I’ll be looking forward to hearing when the little one arrives!
My story goes back 30 years to when my first child was born, but, let me tell you, it seems like yesterday….I, too, was horrified just thinking of my water possibly breaking in public and the last couple of weeks before my due date, I was extremely circumspect about my “comings and goings.”
My husband and I had just bought our first home. Every night, we would work on some minor improvement to prepare for the day when we could move in. About a week before my due date, we were standing outside the house, admiring some of our outside work, when suddenly, there was a veritable flood of water gushing down between my legs, and then flowing down the driveway. My first thought was “what is going on?” and then my next thought was “oh, yeah, I guess this is it.”
I yelled at my husband to do SOMETHING, like grab a towel, instead of just standing there watching. He did, and I waddled to the car, looking like I was wearing a big diaper. I have to honestly say that my only thought at that moment was that I hadn’t shaved my legs and I was mortified about the prospect of being in the delivery room with my unshaven legs on display for all to see. We rushed home just so that I could do that chore, and in just a few hours my contractions were close enough for us to go to the hospital.
The end of the story (besides giving birth to a healthy, 9 lb 5 oz boy) was that my legs were completed covered up with sheets during the delivery — I was quite chagrined that I had gone to all of the effort of standing in the shower and maneuvering around my very pregnant belly with a razor, just to have my hair-free legs not on display. It made the water breaking in the driveway almost anti-climatic.
If anything, it was a lesson in humility.
Sweet Amanda, both pregnancies my water broke, but both at midnight and both in my own bed. Our La Maz instructor had suggested we make our bed with towels or pads or a waterproof mattress cover or something to protect the mattress and I was glad I had followed her advice! Another suggestion from her…get a bottle of white vinegar in your grocery cart 1st thing…just in case you need to break it “accidentally” to cover your incident.
I’m thinking God will protect you from this embarrassment just as He did the first time. praying for you to have a quick and easy delivery, a healthy baby and a fast recovery. Also praying for big bro to adjust quickly!
Unfortunately, I am one of those women who did have her water break in public. It broke in Steak n Ale and thank goodness I had just finished my dinner. It was with my first daughter and I never thought of my water breaking in public but luckily that restaurant is dark so while the check was being paid, I just slipped out the door to the car. Like one of your other readers, I had to sit on a towel because he didn’t want to get his seats wet. Men are so funny! God bless you and your sweet angel waiting to bless this world.
My water broke at Red Lobster after a very yummy lunch. Maybe the food crowded it out?? Fortunately it was not a huge gush and a pad did the trick. We had a new car at the time and my husband had stocked it with bath towels about a month previously because he was so worried I would contaminate the new seats! It totally blessed his heart that he got to use one.
I don’t have a breaking water story. But, I have a great “late night trip to the hospital with labor pains story”.
It was late at night and I started having serious contractions. My husband was driving me to the hospital. We stopped at a red light. There was no one around as far as the eye could see. We waited and waited and the light didn’t change. My husband decided to run the light since there wasn’t a soul around. Except for the policeman who happened to be parked nearby. He pulled us over. My husband ran out the car saying, “My wife is in labor!!” The police officer said, “FOLLOW ME!” He must have radioed ahead to his fellow officers. For the next 6 intersections, there was a police officer stopping traffic at each light. We were literally escorted to the hospital with stopped traffic, flashing lights, and I had a wheelchair waiting for me at the door.
Our son was born that morning. He is 13 years old now and still thinks it is cool how he was escorted into the world!
I was induced with my first and they broke my water and I understand your feeling. It was terrible. I ended up having an emergency c-section. My water broke 3 1/2 weeks early with my second. He was 5 lbs. 7 oz. I was blessed that it happened at home early in the morning! And I had a c-section with him, too.
I totally understand about losing your modesty and all that…
Picture this…in Costco, cart is LOADED, my 18 mo daughter is in the front happy as can be. The diaper bag and my purse are buried underneath all the stuff. My water breaks, I call the dr office and the want to know if it is clear (TMI, i know). Since i cannot see that area, i have to ask a TOTAL STRANGER to join me in the ladies room!!! I leave my kid, cart, etc with her daughters, we head to the stall and I drop everything to my knees so a random woman can look at my undies!!! A really good friend came and resuced me and my daughter, she took me home to finish packing my bag and then we headed to the hospital.
It took me a while to feel I could show my face at Costco again 🙂
My water broke in public and it wasn’t a big deal. Had to leave Michael’s though.
Why oh why did you open yourself up to everyone’s good, bad and ugly baby stories 19 days before delivery??? I am praying some of these comments don’t bring you stress and fear! The Lord knows the beginning and the end and will faithfully bring you through it no matter how, when and where it all happens! Blessings on your baby girl!
Girl! When I see you on Tuesdays – I keep wondering “WHEN”? I personally voted for a 4 month gestation, but I guess that got nixed.
With my first, my water broke AT the baby shower, AT our home church in Tucson. Still when I go back, I visit the restroom that I christened! Goodbye modesty!!!
Praying for God’s perfect touch on this one. 🙂
never had a baby at all BUT…I work at Starbucks and a gal came in and her water broke while she was drinking her hot chocolate…
We had to close the store for a day so haz mat could come clean it up! hahaha! She still comes in…seasoned mom with 4 kids!
Hi Amanda~ My best wishes and prayers to you and Curtis on this special day to come… I was 37.5 weeks and at my nephew’s third birthday party when my water broke. My Dad and I took our obligatory photo tummy to tummy and my dad decided to say to my tummy, “come out and play Hannah, it is a beautiful day”. Soon after that my SIL took a photo of me since she thought it would be the last time before my delivery that she would be able to photograph me. How right she was. Immediately after the photos I stepped into their house and heard/felt that unmistaken pop. I was able to make it into their bathroom without to much effort and later that evening my daughter was born. My SIL said that it was the best present that we could have given my nephew. They share the same birthday 3 years apart. Out of the whole birth process, the breaking of the water sort of gets put into that “oh well” category. Have fun on your date! Jenny F.
With my daughter, the water broke little by little so I had to keep getting out of bed in the night. My sweet husband had taken to sleeping on a cushion on the floor beside the bed so I could sprawl sideways with my tummy. When it finally dawned on me what was happening, I woke him up and he said “I’m down here and you’re up there and you’re telling me your water’s breaking?….” Anyway I did know a lady who was standing in front of the meat counter waiting for her order when her water broke and she just walked away and left a puddle. Looking forward to hearing your story – every baby’s different!
Many moons ago, my older sister had to return home while she was pregnant after we moved back to our hometown. I was only 9 years old and she was 19. Since she had never lived in this house, she had no room and I was the lucky one who got to share a room with her.
(Let me point out I grew up where any details beside a stork bringing baby was foreign to me.)
Every night I would sit and PRAY to God that her belly (which I assumed was full of water for the stork or something unrational – thanks to my brothers) would not break in my bed. She being the loving sister would gently remind me of water safety tips before bed each night.
So I never feared my water breaking with my own treasured gifts from God but oh how I remember being a child scared of this thanks to my sister.
I have to confess a tiny bit of chuckling at VVPG’s dilemma! You poor thing! Listen, you’ve got to know that IF such a thing happened (and it’s very unlikely), you can be sure that anyone who witnessed it would know exactly what was going down, and wouldn’t be judging you or thinking embarrassing thoughts. They’d be concerned with your safety and the welfare of your little one! Those first experiences tend to stick with you though….bet you barely notice it this time around.
I was much more afraid of the intense labor that would inevitably come after my water broke….than of the water breaking itself or the indignity that came with it. Of course, my first birth experiences was the epitome of indignity, so I realized right away the futility of thinking you are going to get through it in a modest fashion. Since this is the LPM blog, I’ll spare you the details! :O
Just be sure and take your favorite shade of lipstick so that after it’s all said and done, you can feel like a human being for pictures and visitors. I always feel like my kids are somewhat horrified at my just-after-giving-birth pictures. “No really, honey, this is the happiest moment of mommy’s life….she just LOOKS like she’s been run over by a tractor trailer”! It’s amazing what a touch of lipstick (and certainly pedicured toes) can do!
You will be in my prayers over the next few weeks, Amanda! Hang in there!
It happened to me…
It was one week before the due date of Baby #1. I was in my office, eating my lunch at my desk, when suddenly I felt one giant contraction…and then odd warmth. I rushed to the ladies room to confirm. No doubt my water had broken.
I calmly (on the outside, but exploding with excitement on the inside) went back to my desk, stopping on the way at the closet to grab my coat to sit on so as not to ruin the office chair, and paged my husband to come get me. In an office of a dozen men and only two other women, I didn’t dare stand up again until I had to. When I did, the floodgates opened! One of the other women came to my rescue with a huge bunch of paper towel. I tidied myself up, put on my long wool coat (yeah for a cold March in Michigan) and my husband whisked me away.
My advice, don’t be afraid – just wear dark pants and wear/carry a long coat!
Oh Amanda, nothing can be worse than your child throwing up in public. Each of mine have done this at least once, the latest was after a dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Yeah, nice. Think about it, wouldn’t you rather clean up clear fluid than throw up? =) Anyway, if you do go out, I’d put a beach towel in the car just in case.
Oh, btw, I never had my water break in public, but I do know a lady whose husband and she took their boat to a restaurant when she was 32 weeks. On the way into the restaurant her water broke. The only transportation they had was the BOAT! Ha! He had to call a cab to get them to the hospital and leave his precious boat docked until he could get back to it to drive it home.
I gave birth in my friends new car at the gate of a military base. It can’t get much more humiliating.
As for your water breaking someone told me to get a jar of pickles and carry it around in case. You drop/break the pickle jar in case of spill.
my girlfriend’s water broke in church. fortunately, she was sitting in the back row.
Hope that your water doesn’t break at all. Mine did not with my daughter and it was the best labor ever. I sat in a rocking chair until 9cm. They finally broke it then and she arrived less than 30 minutes later. As long as you are progressing in labor don’t let them break it. It really does cushion the contractions.
My water broke at a friends house at a Memorial Day party. I wasn't sure if my water broke or if I accidently…uhm… But as a nurse I knew and was relieved that L&D wouldn't be able to send me home. However, after 15 hours of labor and "failure to progress" we ended up with a c-section.
Amanda,
My water broke with both of my children and it was more like a trickle than a river flowing. Maybe like a sneeze gone bad. I am sure it is different for everyone; but by all means don’t stay inside bcs. of fear. We all loose a little face sometimes.
it did happen to me. I sat down and thought to myself “Self, somethings happening!” It was a slow leak, so I just got home and stuck close until I went to the hospital. The second time, they broke it at the hospital. Just give it to Jesus, Amanda. If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Remember, it is not the worst thing that will (or has) ever happened to you.
My water broke at home, but it’s still a funny story. I had three weeks to go and was absolutely miserable. A dear friend brought a wonderful dinner of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, and dessert. My husband and I pigged out. We ate in front of the TV; I told him I was too exhausted to set the table. After supper he went outside to water the lawn. I stood up to take my plate into the kitchen, and it happened. I thought I had peed my panties, so I called a girlfriend who had three kids and described the situation. She started screaming into the phone to go to the hospital. So… hubby and I called the dr., our parents, and the church prayer chain. The dr. said to go immediately to labor and delivery, so we did. The problem was that we didn’t check in or register first. Awhile later the admission people came looking for us. My husband said we were busy and would fill out the paperwork later! Anyway, 17 years later we still call that suppoer “miracle meatloaf.”
I had three children and for my first I leaked for several days… so that was good as I had advance notice and new to stay close to home. My water did break at home before I went into labor.
With my other two my water broke in the hospital with some help from the Doctor.
Don’t sequester yourself… you will be crazy by the time this precious little one makes her way into this world. Enjoy the time..
The best thing is to not fret about it.
For my first pregnancy, the labor and delivery instructor encouraged all of us Pregos to use the hospital hot “warm” tub. I thought this was a great idea.
I enjoyed about 15 minutes in it and then GUSH! The mini “spa like” pampering ended sooner than I expected, and 2 more hours of intense labor followed!
May God bless you and give you the strength and energy to go through all phases of the “labor” process with smoothly.
Aww…VVPG, I want to hug you right now! 🙂 I’ll pray that your water won’t break in public. Although, I have been dieing laughing at some of our siestas suggestions to help with that…Sprite, Depends..?? LOL!! Those would work, though! 😀
I’m sure you look just adorable being VVPG! I cannot WAIT to see pics of your sweet baby girl!! And I’ll be praying all goes well! Keep us updated! 🙂
Love u,
Missy in SC
Dearest Amanda,
My water broke with my second child while having dinner with my in-laws. God provided the perfect setting, we were eating outside on the screened in porch. I too, had just a small leakage and was able to walk swiftly to the restroom. When I didnot return, in a reasonable time frame, my sweet man came to the rescue. We were close to the hospital and Grammie and Papa where excited to have our son spend the night and await the birth of our healthy daughter, Melissa. A happy ending to a frantic start. Someone told me if ones water breaks in public, ie a grocery store, provide a distraction by spliiling a jar of liquid on the floor. But, in today’s health environment, it would be unfair to not admit it’s body fluids.
Blessings,
Sue
Water breaking what plesant memories.:) My water broke with my third child during the night and yes it woke me up. It also broke with my fourth child at about 7 in the morning. Now that one is a story to be told with out causing fear. I was obviously stuck in the bathroom because well everytime I move, oh you get the idea. My DH was at work, so I had to rely on my other children. (Boy 8, girls 6 and 7) Yep I had to call on them to bring the phone. I did not move from my spot until DH got home. The baby was breech and thankfully no contraction. Well, let me just say every seat I sat ion was very wet despite all the steps we took to not have that happen. The doc was absolutely funny, you see while I was gushing all over the place he had me look in the microscope to see how cool the fluid looks. Ok now I don’t know about you but that was not what I wanted to be doing at that moment. You know gushing every few moments involuntarily which got worse when I stood up. At my 6 week I did in fact tell the doc. that it was neat looking just not at that exact moment. Well that was almost 11 years ago and I remember it very fondly like it was yesterday. Don’t worry you will be fine and if something like that should happen you will probably laugh about it. Also I totally agree about the whole modesty thing and having baby’s.
Hope that is not TMI.
Kim B. in AZ
I am excited for you! My baby sister gave birth on Friday night to a 7 pound baby boy. She named him Daniel. She made it to the hospital this time before the water broke. Not so with her first one.She was right in the middle of Kroger when it happened and she had to sit on plastic grocery bags in the car on her way to hospital. She was mortified but the rest of us had a good laugh! Hope things go well for ya!
I was a big shopper when I was pregnant with my first, and a good friend of mine told me for sure my water was either going to break at the entrance to Foley’s or Penney’s!
Happily, it broke when I sat up in bed 2 weeks before my due date – 4 hours later I had a beautiful, healthy baby boy! With my second, it also happened 2 weeks early on a potty visit at 4AM – 4 hours later I had another beautiful, healthy baby boy!
Don’t worry Amanda – just carry a small hand towel around in your purse and you’ll be ready if it happens ahead of time. This is what I told my daughter-in-law and for her both times, it had to be broken for her!
Hugs!
Dear VVPG….
With my first baby, the doctor broke my water in the hospital with the biggest crochet hook e-v-e-r….then the contractions really kicked in! YEEOW!!
With my second baby, I had 2 false-alarm rushes to the hospital, only to be sent home. After those times I was afraid to go anywhere, until the night I knew it was real. At the final…real…trip to the hospital my water broke while I was pushing with a contraction, and it was a real gusher! Yikes…I didn’t know there was THAT much water in me!
Good luck….I’m praying for ya!
And anxiously awaiting new baby girl pictures!!!
(I can hardly wait to read Bethmoore’s comment, once she reads yours!!! hee hee!!)
I was very pregnant, went to the Dr and he said nothing was happening. Went to my sisters house depressed and crying wanting it to be over because of all the things you mentioned!! She feed me a very spicey dinner while I cried. I was doing that ugly cry laugh thing when my water broke in her kitchen. I think the babies head stopped the gush so it wasnt that bad. Just felt like I peed in my pants!! I was thrilled the time had come but regreated eating all that spicey food…I had indigestion through my whole labor!! Dont worry about it, what will happen will happen. you will be so happy its time you wont care about anything else!
Jana Tallent
Tampa, Fl
Maybe my all time favourite blog! Never had my water break in public but we are all the same, I worried a lot, sat on a towel in my car and chairs for fear of soiling them. I have however had my milk let down and ruin the front of my shirt a time or two, and that was pretty shocking for folks 20 years ago, You go girl and happy birthing! Shalom
My water broke at home with my 2nd and I figured I’d just put a sanitary napkin on and that would be fine ’till I got to the hospital. Oh please.
I agree with the ladies who recommend using a towel. While some are blessed with a trickle, I gushed every time I got up. Frankly, a little gross. BUT for my trouble, God gave me a beautiful, healthy, love of a baby boy who together with his big sister are the joys of my life.
When all is said and done, the water breaking is really not that big a deal – just part of the story – a potentially funny part…you know, months later. 🙂
Praying for a joyous birth.
Many blessings to you…
Bless you for reading all these, and Bless you and your new little one.
My first miracle’s water broke four weeks early at home in the middle of the night as I was climbing into bed with a sick husband. It was quite a night! With my second they had to break her water at 7cm.
Again, bless you and your little one. She’ll be here before you know it and all your worries about her water breaking will be forgotten. 🙂
This might make you smile: My first born politely “broke my water” as I sat on the toilet first thing in the morning. I mean, pop, bang and a gallon! At 15, he is not quite so polite…
Your friend on the pilgrim road,
Loriann
Amanda,
Praying for peace for you Amanda! Praying that the Lord will be protecting your heart, your mind and your body as you and your little girl get ready for this event. Praying for great nurses and His presence in the room as her second miracle of her life takes place.
Love to you,
Jina
I have never know anyone that has happened to. I pray it will not happen to you either. The doctor broke mine both times and that was embarassing enough for me. Excited and waiting for the announcement of Baby Girl’s arrival. Hope you had a wonderful date night!
Love and Blessings, Debbie in Tennessee