How safe is a water birth really?

[decafgirl]

I'm really keen to use the pool for pain relief in labour and my hospital has 2 pool rooms so fingers crossed.

However I find myself keeping this a secret because so many people have such a negative reaction to it. They basically think I'm going to drown my baby which obviously I'm keen to avoid!

Is it just old grannies (and my mother) scaring me for no reason or is there some truth in it? At the moment I've said I'd like to use the pool for pain relief but I'm undecided as to whether or not to actually give birth in the water although I've heard the pain on getting out of the water and onto land can be traumatic in itself.

Aaagghhh! Please advise!

[WinnieThePooh]

HI there,

I am also considering a water birth. Spoke to consultant today at my scan and apparently, at the hospital I am attending, you need to attend a talk or they won't let you have one.

I suggest that you call your delivery suite and explain your fears to them. They should be able to help you out.

[MelissaM]

Hi decafgirl

Given that lo is already breathing in water, I think the chances of drowning are unlikely. sounds like it is just older people that think this because they don't know anything about waterbirths. My mw has been very positive about the benefits of waterbirths, or even just using the pool for pain relief and then giving birth on land.

I'm also planning on a waterbirth, but as this is my first I can't comment on whether the pain changes when you get out of the water.

There is loads of info on the net about waterbirths and the different types of pools. But if you want to speak to someone, your mw should be a good source of info.


Good luck with everything.

[CorrieDale]

It's stimulation that gets the baby breathing - whether it's being handled or coming to the top and feeling the change in temperature.

I know what you mean about wondering about whether to actually birth in the water though. I'm playing it by ear.

BTW, re: the pool rooms in the hospital. You need to be sure that as soon as you arrive, you ask for a pool room. Don't think that a) they've read your birth plan, so they already know or b) they'll let you change from the ordinary room to the pool room once you've been allocated to the ordinary one. Our local hospitals are buggers for this - they wouldn't even let me move from one post-natal bed to another near a window, even though I was, at the time, the only person in the ward.

[decafgirl]

Thank you!

Was at my all day antenatal class on saturday and the two midwives there were very enthusiastic, even the woman cleaning the pool when we looked at the room was advocating water births! I'm really keen to do it.

CD - thanks for the tip about reminding them about wanting the pool, a few people have said this and have encouraged me to mention it even in that first phone call when you're still at home and wondering what the hell to do!

I'm really excited about having this baby and am trying to be as positive as possible (regardless of the bloodcurdling screams I heard at the hospital on saturday!)

Thanks for the comments,

xx decaf

[mad4girls]

i am also interested in a water birth just evryone keeps putting me off saying that if i have the birth at the hospital theres the chance the only water birth trained mw might not be there or be availaible, or maybe a pool might not be free

really dont fancy the idea of doing it a home though guess i should ask the midwife whats available and if i can visit delivery suite as the hospital has been rebuilt since my last birth.

[treacletart]

I'm not an expert but last time around at my active birth classes I was told that while the baby is underwater they don't need to breathe as they're still using the placenta. Apparantly there's some sort of complex reflex, no doubt with a fancy name, that means the baby doesnt actually attempt to breathe until their shoulder breaks the water - up till the they're not really registering much of a difference from being inside your body. Didn't actually make it to hospital in time last time but this time I'm really hoping for the pool - our hospital only has the one so I'm probably going to have to wrestle for it.

[yogimum]

I have a couple of friends who had water births and both had very positive experiences. I'm not a doctor but I'm sure babies can't drown in the water! If your hospital has two pools then you may have a good chance of getting to use one. Good luck!

[chilledmama]

Decaf- Tell those old biddies tomind their own beeswax and read some information before they drain down their fears onto you!!!

Sorry quite militant about birth choices

When your baby is being born underwater it is still being supplied with oxygen from the placenta. Your MW will not handle you during a water birth as the key to a good birth is hands off (as long as everything is going according to plan).
My DSs head popped out and it took another 2 -3 minutes before the rest of him got pushed out, only then did the MW pick him up. He was quite happy under the water as he wasn't trying to breathe water. As someone else has already said it is stimulation that leads to breathing.

If you want to be assured a water birth you could have your baby at home...most hospitals/MW run units have a least one bath/pool suitable but it is on a first come first served basis.

[SoupDragon]

The baby has been in water for 9 months.
Provided their head does not break the surface of the pool they won't take a breath.
When being born,the midwife make sures the baby stays under the water until they can be brought up face first in one movement. Then the baby takes a breath.

[potoroo]

The MW at the hospital I went to were really pro water birth however it is on a first come first served basis - even if you ring ahead

Also, they need 2 midwives to get you out if there is an emergency so they need to have enough staff on as well.

So there is the chance that it might not be available.

[SoupDragon]

My midwife pushed gently down on my lower back to get me lower in the water to ensure there was plenty of room for BabyDragon to stay under.

It's not just stimulation, it's the air on the face. Babies retain the so called diving reflex after the birth - if their faces are underwater they don't breath. In fact, provided their eyes are under they don't breathe. It's how all those baby swimming things are done!

[chilledmama]

Sorry Soupy, I was counting air on face as stimulation.

FWIW, My waterbirth was a really positive experience, I couldn't imagine trying to do it without it next time!!!

[roisin]

Both my boys were born in birthing pools at hospital with no other pain relief - fantastic experience both times.

I've no intention of repeating it (they are 8 and 9 now), but would heartily recommend it to anyone who has a straightforward pregnancy/labour, with no contraindications.

[KeirRoyale]

I had two water births and they were fine - no drowning involved.
I had to get out of the water for a while with the second, and I didn't know what to do with myself when the contractions came.
Tell the disbelievers to read up about it before condemning it.

[skibump]

I also had a really positive waterbirth, including stroking ds's head as he crowned. There's no chance of them drowning, and there will be trained m/ws to make sure everything is ok and get you out if it isn't

[SoupDragon]

Ah, you see I wasn't counting it as stimulation bacause having done baby swimmingwith all 3ofmine where you are holding and handling your baby at alltimes,they still don't take a breath unless their eyes are above water. It's fascinating, they are so relaxed underwater. That kind of sold me on a waterbirth for DD.

[SoupDragon]

Missed the off the end!

[SoupDragon]

I would have loved to have seen BabyDragon underwater and pulled her up myself. The pool was really mucky though so I'm also glad that I didn't - I've blanked that bit out

[chilledmama]

Had DS in bath at home and have some amazing pictures of his head crowning and head out before he was born. Will have to download then and put them on my profile page...obviously time is an amzing healer for the memory but once I got i the bath almost all my pain stopped...water was just brilliant.

[decafgirl]

Thank you everyone! Here's hoping I get my pool - only 5 weeks to go!

xx decaf

[purpleduck]

Both my babies were born in birthing pools_ loved it loved it loved it! I found i could really immerse myself and float away with the pain. Plus I found standing/sitting/walking put lots of pressure on my pelvis which made things way worse, the pool alleviated that. Totally recommend it!

[chilledmama]

Good luck Decaf! As long as you are happy with your choices, they will be the right choices for you and you will have a good birth.

[motherinferior]

Oh god waterbirths rock. I gave birth to DD2 in water, at home, no preliminary talk and precious little preparation either.

In my case she shot out like a champagne cork anyway. Four pushes in total - head came out on third one, whole baby on fourth. VOOM. Nearly four years ago and I still haven't got over it