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Club water birth :)

43 replies

justhayley · 13/03/2012 16:27

Hiya anyone else hoping to have a water birth?
I'm 33+3 weeks - due April 12th, having a boy who I hope to deliver in water :)
Just thought I'd start a thread to chat to anyone with experience of doing this or plans to.

I found a helpful list of things to pack In your hospital bag if ur having a water birth, few things I propably wouldn't have thought of included

A bath pillow and flip flops. I'm
Also going to bring a string bikini - so it can easily be taken off for skin to skin contact once bubba has arrived. It also had disposable pants on the list to wear in the water to catch a long list of body fluids that make an appearance rather than spoiling bikini bottoms.
Also had a beach skirt on the list if u want to maintain your modesty throughout.

Anyone else got any things that are worth bringing?

Also I'd like to get a book on water birth, does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks
Hayley x

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justhayley · 13/03/2012 16:29

Oops I'm due April 28th not 12thBlush

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PopcornMouseInBoots · 13/03/2012 16:33

I'm only 10 weeks but I'd like to learn a bit more about it as I know next to nothing, other than it's wet Blush Is there a website or anything you'd recommend?

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ItWasThePenguins · 13/03/2012 16:36

I wanted a water birth last time, but didn't have time. Hopefully with next one (not pg yet..but trying) will be able to =)

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funthatisfunny · 15/03/2012 13:47

I had a water birth for DS (2.3 now) at home - it was amaaaaazing so would definitely recommend :0)

I don't know anything about retaining modesty - I am such a shy person that going to the pool is a stressful with my big-ass thighs, but by the time I was ready to go in the birthing pool tbh I was examined and then didn't get dressed again. Was totally in the labour zone and totally nekkid so would not have had time to consider my bikini, flip-flops and sarong! nice planning though :0)

Have a towel or two - not white ones? I dunno, I just got out and was wrapped up by someone. reckon they'll have that sussed at the hospital and best to use theirs as you'll want to chuck away your own. As goes for mess I didn't make any, just a bit of blood. everyone is different but honestly, you won't care.

having a wter birth was amazing for the stage when you just don't want to carry our own weight any more. I also got to deliver DS myself; the MW was just watching from the side, calmly said he had popped out and I felt it and I grabbed him and pulled him up to me :) the best moment of my life :)

Don't know any websites to talk about water birth preparation - tbh there isn't much to do! but you can always look on youtube or watch home and health (i think it is) channel which will have vids/programmes on water births.

if you have any more specific questions do say, I don't think I have been much help but really all you do is get in, labour, get out and get dressed!

good luck and i hope you have a fabulous labour!

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mythical · 18/03/2012 22:07

Would love a water birth! due 3rd of may and really hoping i can do it! Have got a maternity tankini and got a swim skirt for privacy reasons! am liking the idea of a set of string bikini bottoms so i can take them off easily! i'm sure i have some somewhere!

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laughingGnomette · 18/03/2012 22:47

Hi,
I'm also expecting a boy on the 28th April and hoping for a water birth!
I'm packing a towel, cheapo bikini and flip flops. I know some hospitals require you to bring a net or something so it is worth checking with your hospital on their policies.
Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly!!

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nappymaestro · 18/03/2012 23:06

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justhayley · 20/03/2012 14:31

Thanks all for your stories Grin water birth seems really calm and lovely (well for labour) lol. I really hope I can deliver In the water, would love me and DP to be able to pull him out - what an absolutely incredible experience.

What circumstances stop water deliveries?
Also iv heard water can really speed up or really slow down dilation? How do you no what effect it will have on you?

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nappymaestro · 20/03/2012 17:40

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nappymaestro · 20/03/2012 19:20

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mummybare · 20/03/2012 19:27

Ooh, ooh, me, me! I want one! Fingers crossed...

I'm due April 22nd.

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Shellywelly1973 · 23/03/2012 22:54

I have had 2 water births and 3 non water(?!) births. I found being in the pool very calming. I didn't get in til i was 6/7 cms. I found with my 1st water birth the contractions seemed to spread out and be less regular so i kept moving in the water and it seemed to help bring on another contraction. You cant tell the impact of the water on the regularity of your contractions until the day.

Im debating baby no6 and in an ideal world it will be an other water birth...cant imagine doing it any other way now!

Oh and the best bit is their is little or minimal 'pulling out' in my case the babies just slid out. My 1st water babys head was delivered and i was looking down at his face just waiting for the next contraction to deliver his body...amazing experience!!

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babybrain3 · 24/03/2012 15:11

I'm due on 3rd October and really want a water birth this time. At what stage do you mention to the midwife that's what you want?? I've only had my 1st appt with her so far, and it didn't seem like the right time. HmmBlush

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funthatisfunny · 24/03/2012 21:28

hey baby, just to say I don't think you need to mention it as such - when you go for your visit to the hospital/birthing centre (unless of course you are having it at home!) you could mention it and ask questions and see the facilities etc, and closer to the time you will probably naturally chat about the birth experience you want with your MW. You can't 'book' it as such because obviously no-one knows when you will deliver so is no need to bring it up specifically, unless you just want to and have questions in which case, go ahead and ask! :)

HTH

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justhayley · 25/03/2012 19:20

I just ordered "The Waterbirth Book" by Janet Balaskas, will let you no if it's any good when it arrives & iv read it

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nappymaestro · 25/03/2012 19:23

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GwenGotLost · 25/03/2012 23:40

Ohh yes; It's something I really really want :)

Just hope they finish refirb'ing the birthing centre where I'm due to go so I'll be able to.
At what point do I make a birthing plan with MW? Haven't seen her since the 12 week scan (Am 22 weeks now )Confused

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Flisspaps · 25/03/2012 23:49

I'm 38+4 and planning a hwb.

Am refusing VEs so will get in when I want - if things slow down, I'll get out. If I need a wee, I'll stay put. There'll be far worse in there once baby comes out!

I'll have the water at a temperature to suit me (no recorded instances of babies gasping underwater due to the temp change which is the biggest worry, research done in Germany)

I'll not bother with any kind of bikini or knickers - string or otherwise - they'll have to come off anyway so why bother in the first place?! Besides, catching stuff is what the sieve is for.

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Badgerina · 31/03/2012 09:32

Hello! I've had a hospital water birth with DS and am planning a home water birth with this bean due in September.

I LOVED using water last time. It instantly relaxed me. I did have to get out for a bit because my contractions slowed, and I had waited til 7 cms to get in. I guess it can vary (like most things about labour). I did get back in to deliver him though.

I brought a tankini top with me, but when it came to it, I was naked as the day I was born (appropriately!). The midwives have seen it all before!

If you're in hospital, remember a towel for the baby (ours got pooed on!) and if at home it's worth having several on hand for you (trips to the loo etc).

When DS was born, he was so chilled, he just squeaked a bit and instantly was calm and relaxed. It was so lovely.

Hooray for water birthers!

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Badgerina · 31/03/2012 09:35

Just wanted to add that disposable knickers are AWFUL! Have you seen them? Uncomfy and extremely unbecoming. I just bought a few packs of cheap cotton knickers to use with the pads. I simply threw them away after the post partum bleeding had stopped. Best advice from our NCT teacher ever!

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justhayley · 02/04/2012 08:30

Ooo nappy never heard of the active birth centre will look into it & the classes thank u. Officially I live in St Albans but DP is the the forces and mum lives in North London so iv been staying there more than at home the last few weeks so that wouldn't be a problem.

I visited Watford General yesterday & the ABC (midwife run ward with the pools) it was so Nice it's made me want to deliver in water more than ever now be gutted if I end up on the bed!

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justhayley · 02/04/2012 08:41

Wow gutted I missed out on the centre it looks lovely - I work in tufnell park and have been less than 10 minutes walk away for the last 5 years but never knew it was there!! The next water birth workshop is in July - I'm due April 28th so things will be all wrapped up by then which is a shame, will have to remember it for baby number 2 Grin my book arrived this morning so will start that today Grin

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HeidiHole · 02/04/2012 08:52

Another hopeful water birther here! Due May 15th with number 1, a little boy

I really hope that I'm able to get the pool at the hospital when I go in. Luckily there is an average of 2 babies born every day in the hospital (small island!) so I only have to fight one other lady for it, and thats if she is even in at the same time as me!

Starting to get nervous as the date's getting closer but the though of being able to have additional pain relief in the form of hot water is such a nice thought!

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laughingGnomette · 02/04/2012 14:36

I had an assessment for the birth centre last week and was told that I'd need to bring a mirror and a sieve in my hospital bag on b-day. DP looked pretty horrified when I explained to him what the sieve was for!! Hehe!

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justhayley · 07/04/2012 09:16

Haha my DP also looked horrified when I had to explain the sieve to him - wish I would have caught his expression on camera - especially when the midwife said it will be his job to fish anything out when she's not in the room!!

I'm half way through the water birth book now - it's a lovely read and is really making me wonder why everyone doesn't want a water birth. Only thing is I'll be devastated if the pools are not available now or I can't have a water birth for what ever reason. I'm 37 weeks today and from next week am going to start all the natural ways to start labour - acupuncture, pineapple, curry, sex, walks, all of it, maybe at the same time Grin really don't want to go overdue and be induced & be stuck on a bed being monitored giving birth after ready this. Would highly recommend everyone grab a copy - I got mine from amazon for a couple of pound.

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