Water free home birth?

[iwanttobeadragonthisyear]

Can i have a water free home birth, if so, how? I dont really want a pool, but this seems to be the norm for home births?

Can someone explain what would happen, without a pool please?

[MamaWren]

I didn't have a pool for either of my home births. I just used my birth ball to lean on and moved around, although I did have very fast labours.

[Ihateparties]

Yes, of course. What happens is you just... Don't have a pool

None of the midwives I came into contact for hb reasons with ever said a word about the lack of pool.

[iwanttobeadragonthisyear]

Haha! My midwife keeps going on about it! Like its just assumed i will be in a pool. When going through everything she was talking about how i would get out to deliver the placenta etc! I began to think i had to have one!

[bagofsnakes]

I intend to have a 'dry' home birth any day now! I laboured at home last time, without a pool, and made it to 9cm before going to the hospital so I figure I can go all the way this time.

I intend to do what I did last time, leaning on the yoga ball, leaning on a chair until the contractions become more intense then getting in the bath for a while before getting out when I realise things are really starting to happen. This website has lots of home birth stories, not all of which involve a pool - www.homebirth.org.uk/

I also really recommend hypnobirthing as a way of managing contractions when labouring at home.

[Hemlock2013]

Just jump in the bath if you feel water might be nice! It's all I needed. I had to get out when I was pushing though x

[DramaAlpaca]

I had a home birth without a pool. In fact, it didn't occur to me to have one!

I had a bath in early labour, then tried to keep active, walked around a bit, had gas & air when I needed it & gave birth kneeling over a large bean bag.

It was a great experience.

[IAmAPaleontologist]

I've had 3 home births, only the 2nd had a pool. You can do whatever you want at home, that's the great joy of it.

[Jackieharris]

I had a dry hb.

Is this your first? If so you will have a longer labour and so spending some time in water will be beneficial in pain reduction.

If you're not a water person it's ok.

You can still have gas and air, pethidine/diamorphine, use a tens machine as well as aromatherapy etc.

[MyCrazyLife]

I didn't want a pool, so had two home births without one.

The first time she was born as I leant over the sofa.

The second time she was born on our bed (midwives were late; DH delivered her).

[Minty82]

I had DS at home without a pool, on my knees with my head on the sofa! When DD was born (in hospital), I had a bath at one point and it was the most terrifying bit of the whole labour; it made the contractions feel so much more intense. So a pool played no part in my home birth plan. Good luck!

[TheOnlyWayThrough]

I had two homebirths without a pool (just didn't fancy it). Both were born on the bed with gas and air.

I'd recommend a waterproof sheet for the bed, a dark bedsheet to go over it, and beanbags for propping yourself up on if you feel like it.

[GotToBeInItToWinIt]

I always just assumed you'd use the bed (or sofa, or floor) with a home birth! I think water births are the exception rather than the norm.

[peacefuleasyfeeling]

I had a pool all ready to go, but when the time came when it would have been sensible to get in, I was really in "the zone" in the kitchen (lovely cool floor tiles on one of the hottest days of the year). The midwife gently reminded me of how carefully I'd planned my water birth; might I not regret it if I didn't use it? But it was the last thing on my mind and DD2 was born as I braced myself against the cooker.
I second hypno-birthing as a way to manage your energy and to make the most of the contractions. Having had one baby without hypno-birthing and one with, I cannot recommend it warmly enough.

[Moltenpink]

I didn't have a pool, I stayed in the bath till my waters broke though which saved on mess

I got a cheap plastic sheet for the mattress, normal dark sheet on top, lots of old beach towels to hand. When I felt the head crowning I just jumped on the bed for a final push.

Home birth is a lovely experience, I hope it goes well for you

[iwanttobeadragonthisyear]

No not my first, my first was a natural hospital birth with no water involved!

I laboured quick (within 4 hours of first contraction, 9 minute pushing stage)

I think its because my midwife spoke like it was assumed i was shocked! Until speaking/planning with her it hadnt entered my head. But because it then became a conversation about water birth i didnt find out what i DID need to get sorted oops

[iwanttobeadragonthisyear]

Oh and meant to say! Yes to active labour and/or hypno birthing. Both sound good to me.

[iwanttobeadragonthisyear]

Oh and meant to say! Yes to active labour and/or hypno birthing. Both sound good to me.

[iwanttobeadragonthisyear]

Oh and meant to say! Yes to active labour and/or hypno birthing. Both sound good to me.

[iwanttobeadragonthisyear]

Oh and meant to say! Yes to active labour and/or hypno birthing. Both sound good to me.

[SophieBarringtonWard]

I laboured at home in a pool with DC1, it was nice. Ended up transferring to hospital.

Had a pool with DC2, but labour was too quick to actually use the pool, as DH hadn't got around to doing a trial run yet & we didn't have the right parts to inflate it by the time he had blown it up by lung power alone, I was pushing. Ended up using it to lean against!

Planning a home birth with DC3… not sure I will bother with a pool!

[BlushingMeadows]

I've had three home births. I didn't use a pool. I built a "nest" of old blankets, towels and bean bags on a shower curtain in the corner of the living room. I had a bath during the first stage and a shower with the coolish water on my back as the labour progressed. I have a bathroom on two floors and I stayed active walking from one to the other! I gave birth in my nest leaning against the back of the sofa. Total silence, on my own. Lovely.

DH kept my DM and DC happy in the kitchen making biscuits and a lush sponge for me.

Good luck.