When I gave birth 3 years ago, after 6 hours or so I went to the MLU at my hospital, deemed 5cm dilated in active labour (contractions every couple minutes) and as soon as it was full, got in the pool.
Stayed in it for the next six hours, when it was suggested that I might want to get out. I didn't want. After some discussion and me being stubborn, and them tracking down another midwife so the unit could stay open overnight, it was agreed that I could stay for another two hours, but then if I was still only 5cm I would have to get out as it could be slowing down my labour.
I was still 5cm, so was told I couldn't go back in. At this point my SPD somehow managed to get even worse (I'd been in a wheelchair when I arrived!), I couldn't sit, kneel, lie down or stand without screaming, and it was suggested I reconsider an epidural - which was wonderful. It took a max dose of syntocin and another 18 hours to get fully dilated, 35 hours labour by the time I had a ventouse delivery (there was meconium coming out so needed him out sharpish)
I'm pregnant again. I would consider a homebirth except I have SPD again so may need an urgent epidural again, plus ds stopped breathing an hour after birth and was in SCBU for a bit, so would prefer to be in the MLU a mere elevator ride from the delivery suite - besides, the MLU was lovely, like a spa with a crap decorators budget.
However, it's plausible I wouldn't have needed the epidural etc if I could have just stayed in the pool. Is it true that being in water can slow down labour, and is that a good reason not to stay in for more than 6-8 hours?
I know second labours are meant to be shorter but even half as long is 18 hours...
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Childbirth
Birthing pool - how long can you stay in it? (long)
notcitrus · 18/08/2011 10:02
Are you getting much support for your SPD? I recently saw a physio closely involved in the Pelvic Partnership charity, and she managed to work miracles in one session - I'll freely admit that my problem was much less serious than yours, but its also something that 3 other physios haven't managed to resolve over the last 3 years, so its definitely taught me the value of seeing someone with the pertinent experience and interest.
I think it would also be worth getting a good phsyio on board and hammering out a birth plan before you arrive at the MLU in labour - my view is that guidelines are a good starting point, but every woman comes with her own specific factors that will required those guidelines to be tailored to her as an individual. For some women that may mean no change at all, but for others a bigger tweak may be required. If your SPD means the only place you're not in agony is in the pool then that sounds to be a good reason for giving you more leeway (as long as you and baby are coping with the labour fine - things are just going slowly) rather than insisting that you get out and stay out - or at least discussing why they still feel getting out is imperative. (One of the reasons I refuse routine VE's in labour - if the only indication of a theoretical problem is that I'm not dilating at the prescribed average rate then, actually, I'd rather be in happy ignorance and left to get on with the job in peace and quiet!)
I always find the advice not to get in till you're 4 or 5cm's somewhat in conflict with the advice to "have a bath" to help get through early labour - I don't understand how the two are different 
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