waterbirth.. i want the ins and outs!

[ditsydoll]

Ok so I have loads of questions about waterbirth if anyone is willing to answer/share their experience.

-If I do decide to waterbirth will I be able to get out at any point or do I have to stay in the water once I'm in?

-what should I take to wear (I'll provably end up naked but should I take a bikini?)

-will I be allowed in the water if I'm overdue?

-if there's a complication how will I get out?

• what's the difference between a MLU and the delivery suite?
  

-will I still be able to have the injection to bring the placenta?

-did you enjoy it if you had one?

Anything else you can add?

:D I'm 39+1 so could go anytime now so just really want all the info possible before I decide to give it a go.

[jkklpu]

I had one with 3rd labour and it was fantastic. Tbh, I wasn't in there that long beforehand - had a quick labour and it was only a few minutes in the bath before I felt the push urge. But one really nice thing was being warm and my legs being able to float around; also great to be able to stay in there holding my baby still in the warm water. As far as I understand it:

• you can get out at any time;
  
• you don't actually have to deliver in the water but it can be good to relieve the weight on you to have a float;
  
• not sure about overdue question: don't see any reason why it's relevant;
  
• you'll be helped out by your partner/midwife;
  
• yes, you can have the injection;
  
• I was wearing a top to start with an took it off after a while: up to you really, see how you feel at the time.
  

I definitely recommend giving it a go - you can always change your mind if you don't like it.

[ditsydoll]

Thanks for your reply :) I'm really hoping I get chance to waterbirth.
I wanted to with Dd but as she was my first I was just too nervous.

[Caitycat]

I had one and it was amazing, I would absolutely recommend it. I don't know the answers to some of your questions I'm afraid but will answer what I can, yes you can have injection, I brought a bikini but actually ended up wearing the vest top I came in wearing and being irrationally stroppy when they suggested I took it off as dd was about to arrive and needed to be ready for skin to skin.

I was overdue but only by a week there was no question of it being a problem. I was asked whether I wanted to get out for delivery so clearly ok to get out if you want but I wasn't moving once I was in!

I think MLUs are generally separate from hospitals whereas delivery suites are o the hospital site but still run by midwives. Go for it - you won't regret it!

[GoingToBedfordshire]

I've had 2 and found the water really helpful in easing the pain slightly. It also felt like I had a bit more privacy compared to dd1's birth on the bed.

As far as I know:
-yes, you can get out when you want.
-I wore a bikini top for one of them, nothing for the other
-I was overdue with both of my waterbirths (4 days and 1 week). They were spontaneous labours though. I wasn't allowed in the water after having been induced 15 days overdue with dd1.
-midwife and birthing partner will help you out if need be
-In my experience, the MLU was in the hospital but staffed only by midwives. If intervention from doctors was needed, I would have been taken to the delivery suite (same floor of the hospital.) All facilities are different though, some MLUs are separate from the hospital.
-yes, you can have the injection in the water. I think I delivered the placenta on the bed though both times (once with the injection, once without)

Yes, I am really glad I had the opportunity to have waterbirths. Give it a try if you get the chance, you can always get out if you don't like it.

All the best.

[ditsydoll]

Thanks so much for your replies ladies :)
Definitely going to give it a go. Actually almost looking forward to labour now.
Just written a brief birth plan even though I think with dd1 it was useless lol
Fingers crossed it will go to plan(ish)

[LlamateurDramatics]

I had a waterbirth with my second child and it was lovely. Getting in the water really helped with pain management, it was good to be able to get myself in whatever position I wanted - out of the water anything other than walking about was awful. I wore a maternity tankini top and got out to deliver the placenta without the injection. The best part was catching dd myself (she virtually flew out ) and then being the first person to find out what sex she was.

[4athomeand1cooking]

Water births are lovely. If you have one you will be fairly low risk so you will have full contr

[4athomeand1cooking]

Sorry fat thumbs on the iphone!!

Low risk birth will give you greater control and you will be free to get in and out as you see fit.

Just be aware that Waterbirth can slow down labour if you get in through the early stages but speed it up if you get in later.

When I got in the pool, my contractions were strong but every 5 mins. Within seconds of getting in. I felt the baby shift down my canal and the next contraction pushed him out.