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Childbirth

waterbirths

17 replies

Kath1993 · 15/07/2015 15:53

Does it help being in water in labour and do most places have pools?

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mamaneedsamojito · 15/07/2015 15:58

I didn't get into the water until I was pushing (they didn't realise I was so far along) but I felt instantly more relaxed and comfortable when I did. I went to an NHS hospital which had 4/5 rooms with birthing pools if I remember correctly. I'd definitely like another water birth if we have #2.

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BonesyBones · 15/07/2015 16:03

I had a water birth for my 2nd child and it was amazing. After a very traumatic 1st labour which lasted 41 hours (and I was in agony the whole time) the second time felt like a dream.

They keep the water lovely and warm, but the pool does take an age to fill. My 2nd labour took 5hrs and 57mins start to finish and I felt virtually no pain until the last 40mins or so. I hold the pool totally responsible for that pleasure.

I went to a MLU and they had 3 pool rooms (out of a total of 6 rooms I think)

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TwartFaceBeetj · 15/07/2015 16:05

I think it totally depends what your labour is like, I intended to have a water birth with my first. But once in the pool my contractions turned into one long continues one. It eventually became to much to bare so got out. Were the contractions went back to normal and I gave birth 20 mins later.

But with dc2 I got in the pool and my contractions stayed intermittent. It was a lovely relaxing experience (tho still bloody painful) dc was born in the pool.

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Topsy34 · 15/07/2015 16:21

I had a home water bith and i felt really safe in the water and so relaxed

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Seffina · 15/07/2015 16:35

I've had two water births, one in hospital and one at home. At the time, the hospital had only 2 pools so it was hit or miss whether you would get one. We had moved areas by the time I was pregnant the second time and the local hospital only had 1 pool which was another reason to have a home birth.

It helped me immensely both times. But I did spend a lot of time in the bath during my pregnancies, as it helped me with the general aches and pains so it felt normal for me to be in the bath. I found it took the edge of the contraction pains in my back.

MLU units tend to have more pools.

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Roseybee10 · 15/07/2015 22:14

I had a water birth for my second. I only managed to get into it for the pushing stage as I hadn't realised how far along I was but I'm glad I held off.
I waited until I was finding things a bit sore then took paracetamol. Then I waited again and put on my tens machine. Then I waited again and when the tens stopped working I got in the pool which was so wonderful. Such a relief from the pressure and a great support and so comfy. Mws then arrived and I got some gas and air just before she was born.
I found crowing excruciating with dd1 (although she was back to back and a dry, hospital bed birth)
With dd2 I really didn't feel crowning, more just pressure. I'm not sure whether it was the water or positioning but being in the pool allowed me to birth in a kneeling position and I only had a slight graze and no stitches.

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LibrariesGaveUsPower · 16/07/2015 09:52

I had two and they were great. I was at home so I knew that the pool would be available.

If you are keen, do research facilities at your hospital. My friend was told she was in a 'race' with another woman and whoever got to 5cm first would get the only pool!!

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Kath1993 · 16/07/2015 15:53

Ref waterbirths- thank you for all your comments views on your experience of water- been really helpful.

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Kath1993 · 16/07/2015 16:01

people say the injection to deliver placenta makes it quicker but ive heard you can have this naturally with no injection and this is better. has anyone been given advice on this - do you get a choice?

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Seffina · 16/07/2015 16:25

I have heard that being in water can affect how fast the placenta is delivered BUT I might be wrong. I had a very long third stage in my first birth after a very quick second stage, but there were a number of factors that affected that I think, not just being in the water for a while. I did ask for the injection after around an hour as nothing was happening.

For my second birth, I had planned to get out of the water straight away after birth as well but as baby was born before the MW arrived I preferred to stay in the pool until she arrived. I had the injection probably about 30 minutes after birth and third stage was much quicker, less blood loss than my first (which wasn't a huge amount anyway) and just generally a better experience for me.

I was given the choice about the injection both times.

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Roseybee10 · 16/07/2015 17:33

I tried natural with my water birth but needed he injection an hour later as it stk hadn't come and I had terrible shakes. If i did it again I would have the injection sooner.

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RunningJumpingClimbingTrees · 16/07/2015 18:08

My hospital had just been refurbished and had lovely new baths. I loved my water birth and agree crowning felt more like really strong pressure rather than burning (still sore though) had a wee bit gas and air but didn't feel it did anything the mouth piece was useful for biting down on though and I had a bruised lip after.

I didn't get the injection but my third stage only took about 10 more minutes so was told didn't need it and was out the pool by then.

I loved my birth and had a tiny tear. its not the case I'm using rose tinted glasses I said at the time it was easier than I expected. (please don't get me wrong I know everyone has different birth experiences and i was v lucky).

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RunningJumpingClimbingTrees · 16/07/2015 18:57

Sorry i realise that sounds very boastful but it was luck of the draw...

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millionsofpeaches · 16/07/2015 19:30

Home water birth here for dd2. Was going to have the injection but when I stood up to get out of the pool the placenta just kind of slid out! The whole experience was lovely and so much more relaxed than the hideous experience with dd1.

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mamaneedsamojito · 16/07/2015 19:40

I got out of the water to deliver the placenta. Not sure if that's standard practice or not but they needed to stitch me up too (2nd degree) so perhaps that's why? I had the injection and it was out within 10 mins or so I think.

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TwartFaceBeetj · 16/07/2015 20:21

I got out of the pool to deliver the placenta,
I think I had the injection, I really didn't think about it, and left it with the midwifes to deal with, I think they asked me to push so I did.

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applecore0317 · 17/07/2015 00:45

I started off in the pool and stayed in the pool for some of the pushing but had to get out as I was too hot, I get hot and bothered when in pain and was happier out of the pool with a fan on me :)

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