If your waters have broken it is generally accepted that using the bath for labour will not increase the chances of you getting an infection. For women with broken waters waiting for the active phase of labour to start, the advice is mixed. Some caregivers don't restrict their women from bathing in their own bath (familiar germs) with broken waters, while others advise against any baths until the contractions are strong and you know you are 'on your way'. Delaying the bath may be wise if your caregiver is willing to wait a few days before suggesting induction.
Length of time in the bath
How long you spend in the bath is up to you. If you and the baby are well and comfortable, it can be literally for hours. If you want to take advantage of the probable increased pain relief and acceleration of the labour through increased endorphin and oxytocin release, then you will need to stay in the water for at least half an hour to an hour or more. If you got in the bath early in the labour and still have a way to go before the pushing phase or birth of the baby, then hopping out for a while after an hour or two may be wise, as the levels of oxytocin hormones after this time may subside. You can always get back in later.
Drinking fluids
You should continue to drink fluids and / or suck on ice chips to meet your thirst while in the bath. With the work of the labour and the warmth of the bath, losing fluids through sweating will be inevitable. It has been put forward that the release of a hormone called vasopressin (also an oxytocic agent that helps stimulate contractions) decreases after 30 minutes if drinking is not permitted, but is unchanged after an hour if drinking is permitted for women in labour. If you become dehydrated and
ketotic, you may need a drip to re-hydrate and possibly oxytocin added if the contractions have slowed or stopped.