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Childbirth

Waterbirth: how would you feel about getting out to deliver?

16 replies

braid · 16/10/2007 13:34

I'm planning a home waterbirth for my third. I had my second this way with an independent midwife. I've now moved to Northern Ireland and I've discovered that there is only one mid-wife in my area trained in waterbirth and no independent midwives of course! Anyway I've been warned about this limited capacity but they are happy for me to labour in water and just get out to deliver. I also have the option of a home from home unit in a hospital with a pool in every room. Which would you go for? My husband says that remembering how I was last time I won't want to get out of the water. Any thoughts?

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jeangenie · 16/10/2007 13:36

i wouldnt want to get out either - in fact think i might have killed anyone who suggested it at the time

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notnowbernard · 16/10/2007 13:46

I've had 2 waterbirths and would've hated to get out of the water.

Good luck for no.3

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Miaou · 16/10/2007 13:51

I had ds1 in a pool and if anyone had tried to get me out for delivery I would have decked 'em!! It's when the pool was the most useful for support and pain relief.

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Notquitegrownup · 16/10/2007 14:07

So you are saying that the choice is between labouring in the pool but having to get out to deliver, or having no time in the pool at all? How do you feel about that choice?

How mad to have such a fantastic home unit in the local hospital, but no midwives trained!

Best of luck with no 3 anyway.

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braid · 16/10/2007 14:14

Sorry to be confusing. I don't know the capacity of the hospital midwife unit but the homebirth team only have one trained midwife. I'm going to call the hospital and arrange a visit. I suspect my best chance of a waterbirth is with them. But maybe if I just go for it at home they won't be able to get me out.

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runawayquickly · 16/10/2007 14:20

Agree - wouldn't have been able to get out of the water. So if you go to the home from home unit, you have to get out of the pool too? Not sure if that's what you mean, sorry.
HOme from home unit means you don't have to worry about sorting out pool, setting up, getting rid of contents afterwards (tho that will hardly be your problem!)
One thing I found with water birth at home was that I didn't have time alone with dd in the same way as I had done with ds at hospital. Loads more people around who could not be chased out at end of visiting...! (Dh decided to get the barbie on and get his best wine open, but that's another story.)Good luck with it all - water is SO fantastic...

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PieMama2007 · 16/10/2007 20:45

If you really don't have the option to deliver in the pool, then at least enjoy the labour in it. Had DD underwater at home and enjoyed every minute. Good luck - shame you can't have the birth you want.

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annieshaf · 16/10/2007 23:41

Braid

I think it is awful that there are not enough midwives trained in waterbirths. However if you are not attended by a properly trained and experienced midwife then you probably should get out to deliver as there are a number of things which a properly trained midwife would do differently for a birth underwater. EG it is important that the midwife does not handle the baby until it is fully emerged and able to come to the surface in order to prevent the baby trying to breath underwater.

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PrincessButtercup · 17/10/2007 00:02

I had to get out of water to deliver at a hospital home from home unit(there was only one midwife on duty and water birth requires two). It wasn't a problem because I knew from the start I would have to do this, so was prepared for a quick hop out between contractions as soon as I started to feel the urge to push... I'm sure that timing is everything. I wouldn't let this decide you against the home birth option if that's what you want.

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LadyOfTheFlowers · 17/10/2007 00:20

How rubbish!
That is the whole point of it imo.
You need the water most when you are pushing as you can get all sorts of great positions for pushing in the water.
I had both Ds' in the pool (& intend to have any msubsequent ones in there too ) at hosp and tbh, they would not have been able to get me out!
I would certainly not have been able to get myself out which makes me think you will have to get out quite early on in the pushing stage.

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meandmy · 17/10/2007 00:22

i stopped in pool to give birth and i wasnt budging! and thats what i want for any more babyme's

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braid · 17/10/2007 12:42

Thanks for all your responses.

My memory is quite hazy from 2 years ago but I do remember that I only got into the water towards the end of the 1st stage and really I found the water tremendously reassuring during pushing.

It sounds like in these circumstances - of a non qualified midwife - I would have to get out quite early. Thanks annieshaf for your comments. I wandered about the whole inhale water thing.

I'm going to go see the hospital, as I've never been there and then weigh up the relative importance of home vs waterbirth for me and family.

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belgo · 17/10/2007 12:44

I had to get out of the water when I gave birth to dd1 in hospital. The hospital in question had a policy of no water births. I was already 10cm dilated and wanting to push. I couldn't get out of the water, so the midwife pulled the plug. Then I had to get out.

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Loopymumsy · 17/10/2007 13:45

This reply has been deleted

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cheritongirl · 17/10/2007 14:09

yeah i had my ds at home in water last year and i don't think even several strongmen could have gotten me out of the water at the end, that was when it was most helpful! I am in england but was also told that there was only one waterbirth trained mw in our area, she happened to be my mw and she went to the head of midwefery in our area and offered to train others on her team so they could deliver me too (she was an OUTSTANDING mw!) but in the end she was the one who did it. She said that really every mw should be water trained.. bit wishful tho?!
All the best

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braid · 18/10/2007 12:26

Had a good chat with local NCT woman here and she suggested I encourage them to train someone else between now and end of Feb when I'm due. The new home from home unit might also be able to offer midwife support for a homebirth, she suggested. So fingers crossed they'll be responsive to a little encouragement! That for the AIMs link Loopymumsy.