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Water birth?

30 replies

preggers506974215 · 30/11/2019 20:53

When I was in labour with DD I was literally all set for a water birth. Just before I went in the midwife took my blood pressure and it had shot up. This meant at 10cm and feeling the urge to push I had to get dressed, come off gas and air and be moved to the delivery ward. Not a nice experience.
Now 37 weeks with my second and can't decide whether to just put in my birth plan to go straight to delivery. However, I keep thinking a water birth would really help with the pain/relax me.
Basically my question is how have others found their water births? Especially those who have had both a water birth and a non water birth.
TIA

OP posts:
xmummy93x · 04/12/2019 02:19

I’ve only had a water birth so I can’t compare to a non-water birth but I found it very calming Smile I would definitely have another water birth

Woeisme99 · 04/12/2019 03:06

Hated mine, absolutely hated it. First birth was on 'dry land', could walk about, use TENS machine, control own temperature a bit more with fans etc.
Water birth on 2nd, midwives very reluctant to get you out once you're in, no matter how many time you ask IME. Water temperatures is lowered just prior to delivery, so for me I felt like I was stick in a huge tub of tepid water that I'd poo'd in, with no pain relief. Absolutely bloody hated it.

EmMcK · 04/12/2019 03:09

Loved mine. Could only have it with my first as we were living in an earthquake zone for our other two births and water births not allowed. Found it way more relaxing and i also got to deliver him on to my chest myself which was magical. If you can try, then do.

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marmitemayonnaise · 04/12/2019 03:13

Absolute loved it. I found it much more relaxing than giving birth out of the water. It also felt more private too which helped me stay calmer and relaxed. I think I have a pretty low low threshold but the warmth of the water meant I coped well with just gas and air (and hypnobirthing).
I'd recommend it to anyone.

marmitemayonnaise · 04/12/2019 03:16

I had a very different experience to a PP too- I didn't have the temperature lowered before delivery and was helped in and out whenever I wanted to, so it's maybe luck of the draw with the midwives.
You could always start in the pool and then get out and deliver in the room if you chose to (as in in the nice warm, dark room rather than go to a brightly lit delivery suite?) assuming no high BP/other issues this time round?

Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons · 04/12/2019 03:20

Have had both & would choose water birth every time. The water is supportive, private, facilitates easy position changes, soothing, calming etc the trick (for me) is not to get in until you feel like you can’t cope for one more moment.

Andersonx3 · 04/12/2019 03:34

I had a very fast labour a few weeks ago with my first DC, I had a water birth. I was only in the water for 30 minutes - as I say, a very fast labour and delivery - but absolutely loved it. The room was huge, dark and cosy, the water was warm but not too warm and I was able to control the temp myself if need be. I would definitely have another. This was at Leicester Royal if it makes a difference.

Festivecheeseandcrackers · 04/12/2019 03:35

My second birth was a start birth. When I got in the water at first I thought it was unless uncomfortable than when on dry land so tried to get out. Then realised getting out was horrible so got back in. 😂 It was much more easy to cope with the pain than my dry land birth but I don’t think that was exclusively because it was in water.

xine15 · 04/12/2019 03:57

I had an accidental water birth, was adamant that I didn't want to deliver in water as it would be all gross and feel weird. Thought I'd try it for the pain relief tho since it was there. Things went so quick tho at the end (20mins from 4cm to out) that I didn't even think about getting our, she just came and I'm really glad. It felt right and meant the lack of pain relief other than gas and air (no time for anything else) was manageable. Would prob do it again, although will also think about an epidural. The only weird thing was when her head was out and underwater it felt like I was drowning her!

PhoenixBuchanan · 04/12/2019 04:38

Fairly medicalised land birth first time (had been planning pool but there was meconium in the waters), water birth second time. The water birth was amazing, the pain was the same but it went much, much faster and for me it was SO much easier to cope in the water. And I was only in the bath because it went too fast to get the pool filled up- I think the pool would have been even better.

Every birth is different so don't think the same will happen again. Plan for water and change course accordingly if you need to!

LAwonder · 04/12/2019 04:38

2 home water births here so no comparison, but both were great. No drugs, tiny graze second time but no stitches. Felt amazing afterwards.

I would totally recommend it. But then I wanted to stay away from hospitals so was pretty set on staying home. The water bit just felt like the right things so we got a home birthing pool. I also did a little bit of hypnobirthing which complemented a home birth and water birth completely...

Andersonx3 · 04/12/2019 09:00

@xine15 I asked the midwives if she was going to drown when her head was out 🤦🏻‍♀️

00100001 · 04/12/2019 09:05

"with no pain relief"
Hi bcan have had and air with a water birth, did they not offer that?

Sounds like you had a bad experience overall, bit because if the water birth IYSWIM?

00100001 · 04/12/2019 09:05

You can have gas and air*

Shallow07 · 04/12/2019 10:49

Following with avid interest as I'm 35 weeks with DC1 and have been told by midwife/consultant that I need to finalise my birth plan soon but they are recommending a water birth. Have tokophobia and am terrified!

Pepperwand · 04/12/2019 10:56

With my first I was in the water but needed to get out in the midst of strong contractions and ended up needing an assisted delivery with my legs in stirrups. Despite all that I went back in the water second time round and it was fantastic. Found getting in the pool instant pain relief, I was floating on my tummy in between contractions, it was easier to stay relaxed, my DH was right at my eye level keeping me calm and I just had a bit of gas and air right at the end. I would 100% recommend if you can but that's based on my experience and you have to do what you feel comfortable with.

KateTheShrew · 04/12/2019 10:58

I wanted a water birth with dc1, but labour was quick and I didn't get there in time. Had a water birth with dc2 and loved it! I found it great for pain relief (alongside gas and air) and I liked the feeling of being supported by the water.

Pepperwand · 04/12/2019 11:00

Also agree with a PP, I only got in the water when I felt that I really couldn't cope another minute. It instantly helped and then only had gas and air again when I felt like I couldn't stand it any longer. For me holding out for each stage of pain relief made it more effective when I got it if you see what I mean. Also hypnobirthing, I'd hugely recommend the positive birth company videos on YouTube.

CmdrCressidaDuck · 04/12/2019 11:46

Didn't actually give birth in the water, came out for the last 15 mins, but it was amazing. So soothing and helpful. Didn't have any other pain relief, didn't need it. And could have got out whenever I wanted.

LouiseEH · 04/12/2019 11:47

I started out in the water with my first, but had to get out due to the baby’s heart rate going up. I had to get out and deliver in a bed, but while I was in there it was a really nice experience, as far as delivery a baby goes lol.

For my second I really wanted a water birth but both rooms were being used so I couldn’t. It hurt a lot more and I couldn’t get in a comfy position to push. I would highly recommend a water birth if the option is there.

scaredycatz · 04/12/2019 12:16

Has anyone just used their bath for pain relief? I've got a dodgy boiler and the hot water cuts out all the time (engineer says it needs replacing but can't afford to replace it before the birth) so I don't think it could hack filling a birth pool, the water would be freezing! I can just about get a warm bath maybe with a couple of kettles of water in it as well. I reeeally wanted a water birth at home but don't know if I will be able to now Sad

scaredycatz · 04/12/2019 12:17

I would get out to actually give birth as I've read baths aren't deep enough to actually give birth in, I just wanted it for pain relief really.

Southmouth · 04/12/2019 12:19

I’ve had both, but I definitely preferred the water birth. I was already 10cm when I arrived at hospital and luckily they had a pool ready so I got straight in and DS was born within minutes. So I didn’t experience what it was like to help pain with contractions but the birth couldn’t of gone any smoother. I found the water really calming and relaxing.

With DD I hoped for another waterbirth but with another quick labour it wasn’t too happen and she was born with me on all fours on the bed. Another easy and smooth birth but I can 100% say I preferred giving birth in the water and am hoping I get they chance again with the 3rd.

Camomila · 04/12/2019 12:19

I had a water birth first time and loved it, did the whole thing in the water. I had a 3rd degree tear and pph after though.

This time (I'm 32 weeks) the dr wrote me a birth plan saying I can do the contractions in the water and then get out to push (with 2 midwives for support and a drip on standby) Very relieved as my midwife didn't know if they'd let me get back in the water at all.
(Obviously the pools might all be full etc. but I like knowing that its possible)

Purplelion · 04/12/2019 13:14

I’ve had 1 non water birth and 2 water births and they were amazing! DD2 I was in the pool for about 2 hours and she was born in 2 pushes.
DD3 I was in the pool from when I got to the hospital (4pm) until she was born (5:45pm) I forgot to use gas and air with her as the water helped so much! It definitely makes crowning easier! I had no tears and just a tiny graze last time but DD3 was my biggest baby!

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