Water births

[Giraffe5]

Why are they so popular? Is it less painful?

[Twinwife]

I found it massively helped the pain. I generally find water relaxing and peaceful. It was also amazing to float inbetween contractions

[SweetAndFullOfGrace]

It was so much less painful in the pool for me. I managed a ten hour labour with only a bit of gas and air at the end and I'm sure it was the pool that helped me do that. I tried getting out at one point, it didn't go well! I got back in...

And I think part of the reason it was quite a quick first labour was because I was able to deal with the pain - just before I decided to use some gas and air it had stalled a bit and I was backing off from contractions (you can either get really into them which is better or you can try to hold off which sort of doesn't work).

[CityDweller]

Pain relief. Relaxing. Easier to move around and change positions as water supports your weight.

[Wolfiefan]

Best pain relief ever!
And you aren't lying on your back on a bed.
And someone can pour water over your lower back if baby is back to back.
Much less effort than on dry land!

[reallyhopenot]

Excellent pain relief but also better surroundings and overall experience for me. I had DD on my back on a bed with the lights on and everything stressful. I had DS in the pool in the midwife led unit with the main lights off and just the twinkly lights in the pool turned on, the midwives were really quiet and had a torch to see what they needed to see. I didn't need any pain relief and I will always remember it as the most positive, empowering moment few hours of my life. The water was so warm and I got to catch my baby so I held him before anyone else did :)
(I made the mistake of looking at the water afterwards though)

[Wolfiefan]

Oh yes I forgot I had two midwives, my own darkened room and no intrusive examinations.

[Topsy34]

For me, it allowed me to be in my own space, no one could touch me, except my hand or arm to ask if they could check hb or bp.

I found it a very safe place to be and i used hypnobirthing and sure the water helped me remain calm

[Roseybee10]

Massively helped with pain relief, positioning for birth and helped me to get in my 'zone'. I felt like I had my own space and no one could 'hassle me' in it.
Very different to first labour lying on back on bed in consultant unit. No tearing in water for me second time and crowning was nowhere near as painful.

[isupposeitsverynice]

Oh yes. Contractions were much less painful and for me, I would go so far as to say the actual birth didn't really hurt at all, just felt very peculiar. I'd do it again tomorrow if I could, was marvellous.

[beehappybe]

how about the water? is what floats in it really that bad during and after??(maybe that's another reason they keep the lights dimmed???)

[beehappybe]

BTW I am considering it, just want to be prepared as so far everyone said positive things but only one mention of the other elements in the water...

[bestguess23]

Those of you who have had a wb would you recommend it for dc1? Everyone I know who has had one had it for later births, not the first. Would you have any reservations due to longer labour, less available medical pain relief etc. I'm really keen on one but got a bit skittery over some warnings from people who had v long and difficult first labours.

[LurkingQuietly]

I would totally recommend for DC1. I actively enjoyed giving birth. I'm currently fighting for another WB, as they're currently monitoring me due to DC1 being 10lb 4. I'm actually a bit worried about having to give birth out of water!

[Guyropes]

Good luck, lurking!
I want one too, but being told no due to low hb

[Bluepetra]

Watching this as I too would like to try this, I'm also wondering how dirty the water gets and if I'll be able to cope with it if it gets dirty. ( not good with stuff like that)

[CarrotPuff]

V relaxing and supportive, takes a lot of physical pressure off. I was crouching while pushing, I don't think I would have been able to do that on "dry land" for so long. I also didn't tear (first baby), although that could have been due to DS having a small head

It doesn't get dirty until after you've had the baby, by which point you can get out (not that you can't before, I don't think you'd want to).

And yes, if you don't like it, you can get out at any point.

[beehappybe]

sorry to ask but how about poo?? a friend told me they have special sieve to fish it out with????

[bestguess23]

Not a special sieve, just a sieve A regular run of the mill sieve! My MW actually showed it to me

[Bluepetra]

There's no way I could stayin if I saw my own poop in there... Urgh

[CarrotPuff]

You would be amazed how many things you won't give a shit about when you are in pain and all you want is get that baby out. FWIW I was leaning on the side of the pool, so was facing outwards, and didn't see anything happening in the pool.

[CarrotPuff]

Also, consider this... If you poo on dry land someone has to clean you up... Would you rather that than someone fishing it out with a net? I vote sieve!

[beehappybe]

I guess a whole new way to bond with your husband then eh??
is it realistic to request he only keeps looking at your face???

[beehappybe]

CarrotPuff you put a great perspective on it- if it's going to happen one might as well opt for the neater way to make it go away so I guess sieve wins...

[BeautifulBatman]

I want a wb for my dc1. The only thing I've been told negatively is don't get in too soon as it can slow labour down. Otherwise it sounds ideal for me. Help with pain, all over weight support, no lying on my back.

[Moodyblue1]

I'm really keen on a water birth, whats the rules for being allowed one? I wasn't able to with my first but can't remember why not, I was hooked up to a monitor with straps on my tummy my whole labour so I'm assuming that was tracking baby but I can't remember for the life of me why I ended up needing that.