Waterbirth

Downstairs, in our back living room. With the curtains drawn, obviously. Hose connected to our kitchen through the back door, I think, but you can get extensions. Also, SQ, I got one of the inflatable ones that are supposedly only for second births after easy first ones; when I rang the company, they said nicely that it should be fine, especially as I am a notorious shortarse - I think if you were very tall and laboured against it for AGES it might start to collapse.

In the event I was only in for eight minutes, but it was worth every penny.

i would like to order a birthing pool this time round. can i ask you ladies where in the house you had it? that is something perplexing me at the moment.

TIA

Oh, but I did get syntometrine - my midwives delivered the placenta on land, and I just couldn't get up the adrenaline to do it (well, perhaps I could but by that time couldn't be arsed, quite frankly).

I had a waterbirth 10 months ago. I got into the water, felt massive contraction, gave three pushes and out came dd2.

It was utterly, utterly amazing. And I felt none of the burning sensation that had started as she crownedk.

I just got back from my talk about waterbirth at the hospital so may as well add my tuppenceworth... They don't manually help the baby out in case it might just maybe make it gasp in surprise and take in some water. (This is a rarity but they also raise the temp. of the water before birth to body heat for same reason). They give you two pushes to deliver shoulders and body and if it's not out they need you to stand up and let them help it out. Monitoring will be done every 15 mins with sonicaid and any sign of distress (or signs of meconium indicating poss. distress) mean it's time to get out of the water for a bit and be belted up for a proper tracing. After which you can get back in if there's nothing to worry about.
The mw I spoke to said that in her experience tears weren't necessarily less common under water, sorry to say...
Interestingly they don't give you syntometrine after a water birth; natural third stage means that the 'raw area' of blood vessels left by the placenta doesn't get flooded with water which apparently is a bit risky. You just dry off and have a good old babycuddle.

It all sounded a bit dreamy and I found myself getting rather keen.

I wore a tankini top as am quite modest in that respect (BLUSH) something to do with a Catholic upbringing perhaps? Anyway, I digress. It was v. civilised as the action end was all submerged. I just got on with it with lights dimmed and supportive husband nearby(who had already stated he didn't want to go anywhere near the batting end!)

thanks bootsmonkey. i have been told the risk of tearing is less with waterbirths, as you are much 'softer' down there...hope its true for me. sounds like a lovely way to give birth. it must feel a bit more private to have your 'privates' underwater as well!!

It was all done by mirrors. Can't really remember, but I don't think the midwife did get physically involved and I was left much to my own devices & I did tear. But I think because you have minimal pain releif, you are more aware of what is going on. I remember thinking, cripes I'd better give this some welly or I will be here all day, went for it and that is probably why I tore. The midwife told me to have a feel when she saw the head, for which I am strangely grateful as it is a lasting memory. I couldn't have done that if I was flat on my back. Kneeling worked for me. I don't know what the statistics of tearing v. waterbirths are personally, but IME the tear didn't dampen the memory of the occaision.

I had y ds2 in the bath by accident at the hospital, as i was determined not to have an epidural, as i was flat on my back for hours with my first and hated not being able to move. I would recommend it, it takes the edge just off the pain.

hi, i'd really like to use the birthing pool..if it is free that is..just concerned like mamalou about the monitoring. My midwife said that they are q redundant, in the sense that the baby births itself. The m.w is not allowed to put hand down as baby crowns for some reason. Is this true in anyone's experience? I just worry that if that is the case, how will they know when to tell you to stop pushing so you don't tear? Other than this worry, I would really love a waterbirth.

Absolutely - do it if you can. My DD was a waterbirth and it was a very good experience. Best momnet was looking down and seeing her peering up at me through the water with her eyes open! Pain relief options are limited though, so bear this in mind!

Hiya! My first delivery was on dry land, but the subsequent two were waterbirths. They are fantastic, calming, soothing, pain-relieving. Go for it if you have the chance! There are always opportunities to get out if you're not happy, and it's not working for you. For me it was brilliant.