My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Childbirth

Home Water Birth with Cats?

17 replies

knittakid · 08/10/2010 12:26

I'm 20 weeks preg and seriously thinking about having a home birth, hiring a pool to birth in. The issue is, we have to very curious, involved cats.
Has anybody got any experience of using a pool with cats in the house? it would not work to have them out, as this is my first and it might be along labour (and they are too spoiled Smile).

OP posts:
Report
knittakid · 08/10/2010 12:27

'Two' cats, and 'a long', I meant, sorry.

OP posts:
Report
LadyintheRadiator · 08/10/2010 12:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ShowOfHands · 08/10/2010 12:30

I had two cats when I had dd. One of them used to get in the bath with me so I was a bit worried when I planned a home waterbirth. They went out in the morning as labour started, came home an hour later, laden down with rats and mice (only time they ever did that, I think they knew), then retreated to another room.

They were very attached to me during the pregnancy and liked to sit on the bump, but during labour they kept well away.

Report
LynetteScavo · 08/10/2010 12:31

Cat's don't like water, so probably wouldn't want to jump in with you.

My cats were no where to be seen when I had a home birth.

The cats would be fine if you did put them out...(how long are you planning to be in labour anyway? Grin) They are going to have to learn their new pecking order soon enough.However much you think you love your cats, you will go ballistic if you find them in the cot.

Report
herjazz · 08/10/2010 12:33

Eh? Couldn't you just shut them in a another room
tbh I don't think yr likely to give a toss whether they are in the room or not when you are giving birth. And don't cats hate water? So be unlikely even curious and involved ones would be dipping their paws in

Report
Restrainedrabbit · 08/10/2010 12:33

I've had two hwb with cats and they stayed well away! Both affectionate ones too.

Report
FerminaUrbinoDaza · 08/10/2010 12:35

Lol. Cats will be the last thing on your mind. I certainly wouldn't not have a HWB for the ake of them, although TBH I struggle to see what the issue could be.

I have two very present siamese and didn't see or think of them at all during my HB. Had to scrap the pool bit and make do with the hsower as it was all so quick.

Report
knittakid · 08/10/2010 13:09

The thing is they do like water because they are bengals, and always get in the bath, dip their paws, etc.

I'm also worried they might puncture the pool?

How amazing showofhands, a little present for the new little one eh?

OP posts:
Report
narmada · 08/10/2010 13:21

Really, shut them in another room. Like others have said, you won't give a flying one about cats when you are gripped with searing pain beatifically bathing in your birthing pool.

Report
narmada · 08/10/2010 13:21

Oh why does it never work when I do the strike-out thing??

Report
mungogerry · 08/10/2010 13:25

My cat kept well out of the way during labour/birth

Report
smilehomebirth · 08/10/2010 16:59

You've surely seen Angela's story (the one with cats) on the homebirth ref site?
She had at least one cat falling in, probably not a blow-up pool though.

Report
islandbaby · 09/10/2010 06:12

I have a bengal too, and I know they don't take kindly to being shut away from the family and any action in the house!

Report
knittakid · 09/10/2010 10:46

yes smilehb I've seen it and wondered what kind of pool it was. Have to check their types, etc.

Thank you islandbaby, so you understand! I would not be able to relax with the two of them wailing away upstairs... which they would do no matter how long it took Smile

Fermina was you pool inflatable?

OP posts:
Report
BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte · 09/10/2010 19:56

I was curled up with the cat when my waters broke. He was so freaked out by the experience that he demanded DH to let him out... and he didn't reappear until after DD arrived!

Report
marenmj · 09/10/2010 19:59

mine (a sphynx, so also likes to jump in the bath with me) refused to be in the same room as DD for two months. Now that I am pg with #2 he has taken to incessantly kneading my bump. DH says he's only done that when I was pg, but I suspect I've only noticed when pg because it hurts Grin

Report
knittakid · 10/10/2010 11:18

Smile at breastmilklatte story, and at your name as well, it's fab! does it really?

Marenmj mine are very aloof with me at the moment, and we imagine they won't take kindly to a newcomer, so expect the same thing that happened to you.

My main worry is them puncturing the pool right at the moment when it is most needed...

OP posts:
Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.