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Original poster

Water birth (+ a heavy baby)

14 replies

spice3 · 24/10/2019 11:30

DS was 9lb2oz.

I've really wanted a water birth with this one (I'm 30+5) but they've said she's measuring big so there's a chance I may not be able to.

They've said that with the weight of my DS taken into account and the fact this one is measuring big too then it might just not be possible incase they need to medically intervene (shoulders getting stuck I think).

Has anyone had any experience of this? Sad

OP posts:
DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 24/10/2019 11:32

I've only experienced a big-ish baby in water and it was fine. 9lb 6ozs.

If there's shoulder dystocia they just get you out and act fast.

I've had three big babies and that wouldn't put me off a water birth.

Especially as measurements are so inaccurate.

AwkwardAsAllGetout · 24/10/2019 11:34

I’ve got 4dc and the last two were lovely water births. My littlest was 9 pounds 3, which wasn’t expected at all as the week before I was sent for a growth scan as my bump was so small! It was by far my easiest birth. I’d never want to labour without a pool now, not that I’m having anymore!

GrumpyHoonMain · 24/10/2019 11:36

I was told the same and they were honest about it that it had more to do with my BMI than the baby getting stuck. If I were up to a low normal BMI it wouldn’t be a big deal to lift me out of the pool in case of problems, but as my BMI is 26-27 it would take longer and potentially be ‘undignified’. I can still have the pool birth if I wanted but was told it might be better to get out before the second stage of labour!

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SoupDragon · 24/10/2019 11:40

You might still be able to labour in the pool, they just might insist you get out for the actual birth.

Dowser · 24/10/2019 11:40

My grandson had a water birth and he was 10 lbs 7 oz

mindutopia · 24/10/2019 11:44

Being upright is the best thing you can do to reduce the risk of shoulder dystocia. If it happens (rare, but possible), they need you in a particular position on your hands and knees. They can get you out quickly. But being upright and in water reduces the risk of that happening anyway. I've had two home births (not water births though as I'm just not keen on being in water) and shoulder dystocia can be swiftly dealt with at home. I can't imagine hospital midwives couldn't manage it. 9lb 2 oz isn't a particularly big baby. It's bigger, but it's not massive. I know someone who had an 11lb baby at a home water birth. Totally fine. I'm not sure she even had a tear.

Happyspud · 24/10/2019 11:45

My biggest baby flew right out in the water 9lb 3. 😂

Original poster
spice3 · 24/10/2019 11:51

@GrumpyHoonMain that's a good point - but I'm only 9st!

They did mention it might be a case of labouring in the pool and then getting out to push but I was so hoping to be able to do the whole thing in the pool Sad such a shame!

OP posts:
LifeInPlasticIsFantastic · 24/10/2019 11:58

I don’t know if my experience will help.

They thought my baby was going to be around the 9-10lb mark. There was no issue about me getting in the pool, I was a very low risk pregnancy. When I got to the hospital I was 5cm dilated and just as I was about to get in the pool I had a massive bleed, which meant they wouldn’t let me get in Sad it ended with an emergency c section. I really wanted a water birth but when it came down to it, I just wanted my baby out safely. She was over 11lb in the end.

But they would have let me get in the pool if it hadn’t been for the bleed. So fingers crossed for you.

Original poster
spice3 · 24/10/2019 12:00

@LifeInPlasticIsFantastic oh god, that sounds terrifying!

And 11 pounds? Shock you're a superhero!

OP posts:
LifeInPlasticIsFantastic · 24/10/2019 15:08

It honestly wasn’t too scary. I suppose hindsight is at play here. I just remember them ushering me out the room into the delivery suite rather than the MLU. Poor DH was more scared than me, because he could see the blood. I was bent over focusing on the contraction that came with it.

And yes, 11lb 4oz - she was squished into her cot once she arrived. I was HUGE at the end Grin

kmammamalto · 24/10/2019 15:15

There's no reason you can't have a big baby in water. I hate it when they tell women stuff like that. It's totally your choice! They won't know how big baby is until they're out! Where you are relaxed is best for delivery. I just had 9lb9 baby in pool at home on Monday and barely even have a graze as I was chilled and happy!

BlackInk · 24/10/2019 15:46

My DS was just under 10lb, which was a huge surprise as my bump had been measuring small all through pregnancy and I'm fairly slim.

I laboured in a birthing pool but had to get out and stand up to give birth in the end as pushing in the pool wasn't getting us anywhere.

DD was just over 9lb and was born in the water, although I only just made it to the pool in time.

FanSpamTastic · 24/10/2019 16:36

My water baby was 9 lb 13.

I was very glad to have had him in the water! His head was also larger than average!

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