When do you go to the hospital for a water birth?

[foxessocks]

I want to have dc2 at the maternity led part of the hospital and ideally have a water birth. I'm thinking ahead here as it's early days. With my first baby we were constantly told not to come in too soon. So we waited as instructed until I think it was 4 mins apart contractions. Well we only just got to the hospital in time. I was starting to push in the lift! Definitely no time to fill a pool.

So when did you go to the hospital if you had a water birth ?

It was very stressful getting there so last minute and I'm keen to be more relaxed this time!

[Mrscog]

With dc2 I'd go in quickly - I wanted a water birth in the mlu and ended up having nothing as I arrived in transition and only just got my leggings off - that was only 4 hours after the first twinge of 'ooh I might be in labour' I only had 1 hour of regular contractions.

So not that helpful I know, but I'd force your way in once you're having 2 contractions in 10 mins - if I'd done that I'd have had 2-3 hours of labour in hospital rather than 10 mins!

[foxessocks]

Thanks mrscog think I'll have to be firmer this time and just say no we are going in now! I guess with your first you just don't really know...I knew the pain was ramping up but I had no idea I'd be at the pushing stage while still in the hospital lift! I just don't want that to happen again!

[nolongerwaitingfornumber2]

I went in when contractions were 5 mins apart and had a couple of hours pottering in the birth centre before getting in the pool around 9pm. DS was born at 10.40 after 25 mins pushing. The hour and a bit I had in the pool while contracting but not pushing were wonderful!

[Runningupthathill82]

I went in when contractions were 2-3 mins apart. Did the best part of a day and a half in the pool room...!
That was my first, though. Hoping DC2 won't be such a drawn out affair.

[whatsoever]

I'm 38 weeks with DC2 & have been told they don't bother with any of the "wait until contractions are X mins apart" stuff with second babies - they trust you to know how your labour went last time and act accordingly.

To be fair though, I went in when my contractions were 5 mins apart with DC1 (as instructed) and had ample time for them to fill the pool up. He wasn't born for another 16 hours!

[CaptainKit]

I just went to my hospital tour last week and they said that if we wanted a water birth then we should tell the Labour Line, then that would be passed on to the MWs and if one of the water birth rooms were available they could start filling the tub whilst we were on our way in.

[Acorncat]

I was told to phone at 3 mins apart. I dilly-dallied a bit too much and got there fully dilated and pushing but they still managed to get the pool filled. It slowed things right down tho so wish I hadn't bothered!