How likely is it that I will have a waterbirth in an NHS hospital?

[toolly]

Due in November.I had a home waterbirth before, but presently between house at the moment so I think a homebirth again is out. The hospital would be Princess Royal in Farnborough, Bromley.

[toolly]

forgot the s on houses.

[oliviaelanasmum]

I wanted a waterbirth for all 3 of my dd's but only managed to have dd2 in water. This was due to not having enough midwives free. I have been told to ring ahead once i go into labour in october and they will start filling it (fingers crossed)

[stripeymama]

Hmmm. I was at a friend's birth in Farnborough last September, and iirc there was only one pool.

Try looking here for more info.

[stripeymama]

How bad is your home situation - will you just be living in chaos, or actually 'homeless'?

Personally after one homebirth I'd never want to go into hospital unless I had to!

[VictorianSqualor]

Can you take your own pool?
If the hospital rooms are big enough I'd try and get your own.

[toolly]

I was thinking about bringing my own pool. I shall have to ask at the booking in session how feasible that is.
I am back to living with my parents after our house move was expediated. I don't want to put them any further out by suggesting a home birth in their front room.

[stripeymama]

Ah yes I can see that would be awkward!

Taking your own pool sounds like a good idea though.

[InsiderKnowledge]

Stripey is right - there's only one pool at the PRUH. It doesn't get used a much as it should, but having said that they are getting better and generally the mws are enthusiastic about waterbirth. Assuming there's no-one else in there when you arrive, there's no reason why you shouldn't get to use it.

Re: bringing your own pool - I've never seen it happen, tbh. The rooms are small and I can imagine all the health & safety objections that would be raised But it never hurts to ask!

Is there no way that you could just go for another homebirth? Would your parents really feel inconvenienced by you having your baby where you feel most comfortable?

[stripeymama]

If all the rooms are the size of the one my friend was in, a pool may well not fit.

Would you be able to go to a different hospital? Mayday in Croydon (not sure where you are but it was the next nearest to my friend) have a birth centre according to this and it lists all the birth centres in the UK so there may be one closer.

[thebluenoser]

I'm having my baby at the Pembury, which isn't too far from the Princess Royal, and was worried about the same thing, but my midwife said in all her time at the hospital, she's never had to turn anyone away from a water birth. They only have one birth pool there too. I guess not that many people want to use it - don't know why, sounds great to me!

[phlossie]

It depends on loads of things - whether the pool(s) is/are free, how midwives are free, if the pool has been cleaned, how busy the ward is... And then even if all those things are in your favour and you persuade the midwife, the baby can scupper your plans and arrive in a hurry while she's off filling the pool!

[Pavlovthecat]

At our hosp its pot luck, as to who requests use of the one pool on the day in question, depends on how busy it is in labour ward and how many people want to use the pool at time you go in.

I booked it early am, it was free and I got the room, but unfortunately was not able to use it due to DD needing to be electronically monitored .