Water birth?

[sickofworrying]

Interested in people's experiences of water births? Currently 28 weeks with dc2 had a natural birth first time round however I felt trapped birthing on the bed and think that panicked me. I can have a water birth this time round as long as consultant gives the ok nearer to the time, did anyone prefer it to natural birth?

[NakedMum33and3rd]

I had a water birth with DS1 and loved it. Wanted one for DS2 but he came too quickly.
Have planned a home water birth for DC3 hopefully in the next few weeks.
The relief from being in the water it immense.

[PhilomenaButterfly]

My water birth was lovely. It was much warmer than I expected.

[Dreamingofkfc]

I couldn't push in the water with my first as was too comfortable so had to get out but had spent the whole labour in there and it was amazing relied Had the other two in the pool - lovely calm homebirths. Would defo recommend the water

[sickofworrying]

Sounds promising then thanks everyone

[Livinglavidal0ca]

I loved my home birth! Id give birth on my own at home on my own if there wasn't one available for my next baby. Didn't need any pain relief at all, it was amazing.

[Sandstormbrewing]

I didn't like the water. I usually love baths but found it quite irritating and it did nothing for the pain! I got out.

[Rainshowers]

I’m the opposite to sandstormbrewing I hate baths, can’t remember the last time I had one but loved my water birth with DD2. With my first, the midwife ran me a bath but I threw up as soon as I got in, then when my waters broke there was merconium and DD’s heartbeat was all over the place so I ended up giving birth with my legs in stirrups, strapped on a bed for monitoring.

DD2’s labour was so much better. I got in the water about 40 minutes before I started pushing, the relief was instant. Obviously it still hurt but I felt a lot less intense. The pushing stage also felt much more controlled and manageable, I didn’t even use gas and air (I can’t get on with it at all). If I had a third (very unlikely!) I’d definitely go for a another waterbirth.

[AutumnGlitterBall]

I had a waterbirth and for pain relief, it was amazing. I was low risk, first baby and giving birth on due date. However, once I started pushing, the baby came very quickly, didn’t have time to turn and his shoulder got stuck which took a couple of minutes to be picked up on. The water didn’t drain quickly enough for the midwife to assist so I had to try and get out with a stuck baby. Ended up with a third degree tear and had to wait for an hour to go to theatre because my skin was saturated. Next time, I’ll use the pool at the start but I’ll get out to push.

Also, I was told you can only have gas and air in the pool as pethidine can make you woozy. It was enough for me for the time I was in (two hours) but much longer and I would have been asking for something stronger.

[BexusSugarush]

I had a waterbirth with my first at 39+6 after having a sweep the day before and it was BLISS. Granted I had been labouring at home for 18 hours by that point, but alongside the gas and air it was just magical. More like a spa environment than these bright white hospital rooms you imagine giving birth in. Annoyingly it did slow down my contractions but as soon as the midwife broke my waters baby came really quickly, and I managed to give birth in the pool.

I really cannot recommend it enough for a labour, as long as you're aware that alot of people only spend a short time in the pool and have to actually give birth out of it. However, as far as success stories go, I laboured in the pool for 6 hours AND gave birth in it and it made my labour experience so memorable.

[MaGratgarlik1983]

Yes do it!! It's amazing!

[smellsofelderberries]

Loved my water birth, felt great being supported by the water.

[Bubblemumma1]

Both of mine were water births and beautiful experiences. The warm water made a massive difference in easing the contractions and meant I didn’t need pain relief. I didn’t have the “heavy” dragging feeling in the water that I’d had before getting in, so that was another bonus. I can’t imagine giving birth in any other way. I laboured and gave birth in the birthing pool. Both of mine were precipitous labours so I didn’t spend as much time as I would have liked in the pool but that couldn’t be helped.

[ShackUp]

Had water birth with DS2 after being trapped on bed with DS1.

It was amazing. However, I was in water for grand total of. 5 minutes as I walked around until pool became available, by which point, I was pushing! Getting in was magical. If you can delay getting in, and stay upright, you'll really feel the benefit!

I had a 3rd degree tear first time, only a scratch from water birth.

[chuckiecheese]

First child, fantastic water birth at home.

Second child I got in the pool (at home) and only stayed in a few minutes as I preferred wandering around.

Go for it

[Nomad86]

I had the same experience as you for first DC, ending in episiotomy because she was back to back.

Dc2 was born in the water, textbook birth, no complications. The pain was a lot easier and the whole experience much better. DH described me as "embarrassingly calm".

[annlee3817]

I liked it right up until I had been pushing for a little while, I kept being sick in the water .. and found the water too warm, I like to be cool when in pain. It was nice floating around before that in between contractions, I just had my head on a float thing and a noodle I think under my arms :)

[Oonchook]

I had a water birth and loved it. The only problem for me is that i got so relaxed my contractions slowed down and I was nearly falling asleep between them. Midwives suggested I get out of the pool for a bit and they got stronger again nearly instantly and started needing to push. Luckily they managed to refill the pool in time for me to have my little boy. I was dreading the pain but managed to do the whole labour with nothing more than paracetamol!