Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

For all first time pregnant mums (and others) - WATERproof

37 replies

mears · 26/01/2004 13:42

Just published - more information about the power of water for pain relief in labour
here

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
beetroot · 26/01/2004 14:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

beetroot · 26/01/2004 14:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

BekkiKay · 26/01/2004 14:42

If someone told you they were going to punch you would you think 'right let me get relaxed first' or would you tense your body and muscles?

BekkiKay · 26/01/2004 14:40

Sorry to be nosy Beetroot. I'm fascinated by different births. Why did you find your water births more private?

Original poster
mears · 26/01/2004 14:39

You are right BekkiKay - it isn't for everyone but when it works, it really works

If you tense up waiting for/or during contractions the pain is intensified. If you can relax and breathe through them, you are more in control. Water aid that relaxation without the need for drugs. If the delivery takes place in the water, the baby literally delivers itself with no guiding by the midwife.

It is a beautiful sight. The babies are so tranquil when they come to the surface. Wish I could have had one Didn't do them in my day

OP posts:
dinosaur · 26/01/2004 14:36

I'd love to try one this time mears! Last time I was told it would cause "an unacceptably high level of professional anxiety"!

BekkiKay · 26/01/2004 14:33

I suppose its whatever gets you through it.
How 'natural' is a water birth exactly?

beetroot · 26/01/2004 14:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

BekkiKay · 26/01/2004 14:23

With pain you have to brace yourself for it so it lessons the impact. But when you are in water you're floating around and theres nothing to grab onto and you're out of control. Why would you want to relax before a contraction hits you?

beetroot · 26/01/2004 14:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

futurity · 26/01/2004 14:15

My friend wanted a water birth for her second child the the minute she got in the bath to see how it felt the pain got loads worse so she gave up on the water birth idea!

I think for some it works whilst others it doesn't..like TENS machine (I found fab..friends got nothing from it)

BekkiKay · 26/01/2004 14:12

I really thought that I would benifit from a water birth I couldn't have been more wrong. I don't know what people are going on about when they rave about its painkilling effects. I found it impossible to concentrate on my contractions when I was bobbing about naked in a pool. I'm sorry I just don't get it.

Swipe left for the next trending thread