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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

Waterbirths

33 replies

Expecting2017 · 11/04/2017 14:41

Talk to me about your experience if water births please? First baby and I've always quote liked the idea of a water birth.

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BroomstickOfLove · 11/04/2017 14:45

DC2 was born at home in the pool. It was great. The water was amazing for pain relief and comfort, and the pool felt very safe and private.

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MusicToMyEars800 · 11/04/2017 14:46

I had a water birth with my 2nd dd, it was so much nicer than giving birth on a bed, the water was relaxing made all the pressure in my back and groin go away, the pain was eased too and dd came out rather clean I would definitely recommend giving it a go, I would do a water birth if I were to have another baby.

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Wolfiefan · 11/04/2017 14:47

My first was. I wasn't sure whether to try it or not. I didn't get in until labour was very well established. I found it a fantastic pain relief. (Didn't like the gas and air so basically just used the pool for pain relief.) I also liked the calm atmosphere and the fact I had two midwives with me but they didn't over monitor me. I would highly recommend it.

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LauraMipsum · 11/04/2017 14:50

I had one. The water definitely relieved the pain, when I got in I informed the midwife I was never getting out!

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bigredboat · 11/04/2017 15:07

Was all geared up for one, got in the pool then realised I hated not being able to walk around and it was too hot so I got out!

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Semaphorically · 11/04/2017 15:08

I've had two water births and they were amazing. I had no pain relief other than the pool for the second one.

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sundaysunday · 11/04/2017 15:13

Like a previous poster, I was really keen on a water birth but once I got in l was too hot. Don't know if it was too deep as well but I found it really hard to maintain a comfortable position. Stayed in for 2 hours and decided it wasn't for me so hopped out and had some diamorphine (which was great for me!)

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Expecting2017 · 11/04/2017 15:22

Thanks everyone. First baby here and I'm 22. Only had a few weeks to get my head around it so very early stages. At what point would I discuss this with my midwife? Are you guaranteed a water birth if requested? Or is it first come first serve as they're limited in hospitals? I'm looking at possibly going to a birthing centre rather than hospital which I know they have pools in each suite. But again I'm guessing that's first come first serve too as they don't have that many rooms!

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Expecting2017 · 11/04/2017 15:24

www.nbt.nhs.uk/maternity-services/labour-birth/cossham-birth-centre

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Shadowboy · 11/04/2017 15:26

Both mine were water births. I found the water to be Incredibly soothing and relaxing. The first birth did look like a whale had been executed in the water as there was lots of blood but the second not a drop of blood.

I had grass and air for the first (7lb 14) but nothing for the second who was a sizeable 8lb 14!
I highly rate a water birth, it felt so much more calm and natural than I'd expected (but then my expectations were based on one born every minute)

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Expecting2017 · 11/04/2017 15:27

Shadow boy my only knowledge is one born every minute. I always loved the programme and funnily enough it started the week after I found out I was pregnant and I'm not so keen on it anymore!!!! Haha. Terrifying x

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Shadowboy · 11/04/2017 15:30

In response to your questions- I had a water birth request on my notes so they knew that this was my aim. Both mine were born in typically 'quiet' months of the year and so I was able to access a pool with no issues. With the second they did warn me they may not have time to fill it (takes 40min) as I arrived 7cm dilated! I gave birth 15 min after getting in the pool!
The first I spent about an hour in there once I was 8/9cm dilated and in active labour.

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buckyou · 11/04/2017 15:33

I didn't get one with DD as they were all being used - gutted, got one with DS, lovely, loads more comfortable.

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Expecting2017 · 11/04/2017 15:35

Thanks shadow. Do you know at what times it is quiet? Haha. Do you know at which point you discuss with midwife where you'd like to give birth? Cossham in Bristol is a birthing unit but they do not do c sections or stronger paint Elie than gas and air. And no forceps. If you need any of the above you get transfered by ambulance to Southmead hospital. Obviously if I had a terrible pregnancy or complications was possibly I couldn't go to cossham anyway. I've not even had my booking in appointment yet so I'm really thinking ahead. I just like to be prepared!

People I have spoke to that have has water births usually have a (hopefully not jinx in this) fairly enjoyable calm birth. I do love a bath as well so would most definitely love a water birth x

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Expecting2017 · 11/04/2017 15:35

Pain relief *

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giddyasakipper · 11/04/2017 16:00

We are going through my birth plan at 36 weeks at my hospital (London). I also want a water birth so keeping my fingers crossed everything works out!

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Tastesjustlikecherrycola85 · 11/04/2017 16:05

I started off in the pool with dd but had to get out as there were complications, but like pp's have said it was fantastic for pain relief and certainly eased the contractions. Would recommend!

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Shadowboy · 11/04/2017 16:07

Expecting2017 I had discussions at 32 week appointments and the water birth was then noted down in my book at this point.
Apparently early October is quiet as is late November/early December so is February so the midwife of Gloucester hospital told me! Supposedly September is their busiest month!

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Thegirlinthefireplace · 11/04/2017 16:08

I had a two waterbirths, one at home, one at hospital. I would say they are very relaxing affairs (for me). They did, on both occasions) somewhat slow labour down once I got in. In my case I have very quick labours so this was a bit of an advantage, but is something to be aware of as a possibility.

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Heatherbell1978 · 11/04/2017 16:12

With DS I laboured in the pool but contractions slowed so much I had to get out for the birth. With DD everything was so much quicker and she was born in the water. Amazing pain relief. I didn't tear with DD which I reckon is because she was born in the water. Highly recommend.

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Expecting2017 · 11/04/2017 17:19

I'm due November so fingers crossed its quiet!

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annlee3817 · 11/04/2017 19:27

It's luck really, out of my nct group of seven I was the only one who managed to get on the birthing unit and into a pool.

Depends on hospital too, when I got to the hospital I had to wait for another women to decide whether or not she wanted to go on the midwife led unit upstairs. Thankfully for me, she chose the labour ward and I got on the unit. I was in the water for around 2 and a half hours, I got very hot and bothered and the water could not be made cooler due to needing to be a particular temp for baby. I got out during the pushing stage and hugged a giant beanbag instead. I didn't find it made any difference to the pain, it felt nice for a little while. I didn't like that I didn't really have anything to grab onto when I was in there, although I did like having my head resting on a float between contractions.

In my hospital all the midwife led unit rooms have a pool, but there is only one pool on the labour ward.

They tend to discuss birth preferences more from 36 weeks onwards.

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smellsofelderberries · 12/04/2017 05:30

My daughter was born into the water and it was wonderful. It did slow my contractions down a bit though. I think it was because of the water that I only had a 1st degree tear, which was pretty great for a 1st baby!

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Blahblahblahyadayadayada · 12/04/2017 05:34

Tried the pool with my first and it didn't ease the pain at all. Had to get out as labour wasn't moving on enoughz went on to have the baby and a fourth degree tear. Sorry!

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arbrighton · 12/04/2017 15:30

I'm seeing my midwife next at 34 weeks (have consultant between now and then) and I think we're discussing birth preferences then.

I've done a bit of reading to think about what I might like/ want to avoid and I'm lucky that our Midwife led unit is down the corridor from the labour ward and they're hypnobirthing trained and have several pools available (even one or two on the labour ward)