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Original poster

For those who had a water birth…..

91 replies

TangBloodyFastic · 04/05/2022 11:50

Did it help/offer any relief?

(I wanted to do a poll to keep it simple but don't know how to! 🤷🏻‍♀️)

I thought I was all set on having a pool but now I'm in two minds, can't decide if I'll just get hot and bothered or if it will help keep me relaxed and comfortable

Just want an idea of the % of ladies who found it helped

Many thanks

OP posts:

Jijithecat · 04/05/2022 12:00

I don't know if it necessarily helped from a pain relief perspective, but I felt less 'on show' so that probably helped me relax more. I felt more enabled to be in the position I was comfortable in too.
I don't think you're obliged to stay in the pool if it's not working out for you. I'd say if you have the option to give it a try then go for it.

Traumdeuter · 04/05/2022 12:06

I loved it, didn’t feel too hot and bothered at all and it just felt nice. I didn’t like floating on my back though and spent most of the time kneeling or squatting with my head and arms over the rim of the pool.

like a pp I do not know whether it had any impact on the pain but the pain wasn’t too bad, so probably. I still tore but second stage labour was very quick and that would probably have happened anyway. Getting out of the pool was a bit of an effort afterwards, I felt quite wobbly and exposed.

overall it was great and I will definitely aim for a water birth with any future children.

BertieBotts · 04/05/2022 12:12

I used with all 3 but didn't give birrth in pool.

#1 and #3 was amazing, took the edge off, helped me go to a calm inner place somehow?? But the key was I was coping OK for several hours with other techniques, movement, vocalising, etc. Got into pool when that stuff was not enough any more.

#2 I had a big gap before and only remembered the power of the pool so got in too early and it didn't work because I wasn't really using any other coping techniques. It worked with the others because it kind of stacked on top of them.

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Families

SickAndTiredAgain · 04/05/2022 12:13

I had one with DD, and it was fine. I didn't feel particular relief when I got in or anything, I didn't love it, didn't hate it. But I have nothing to compare to, I'm being induced next week with DD2 due to waters going early and maybe once that gets going I'll wish I had the water!

Luckystar1 · 04/05/2022 12:14

Yes it really did. Water births are fabulous.

BundtCake · 04/05/2022 12:15

I loved it. I had a tens machine at home and did the majority of labour there in my living room. Getting into the pool was such a relief, the warmth helped. If you don’t like it you’re free to get out.

VintageVest · 04/05/2022 12:15

Yes it helped. I didn't realise how much until I decided to get out, and got straight back in again.

NottheSAHP · 04/05/2022 12:17

If you already find water relaxing/soothing in general eg during your period then it will probably be really soothing for you during labour too. The water supports your weight and applies gentle heat evenly around your bump in a way that you can’t manage with the shower or a hot water bottle at that stage of pregnancy. I had been craving a bath large enough to fit me for a few months before I used the pool so it felt amazing!

Winbourneflight · 04/05/2022 12:18

I had my first baby on dry land and my second in the pool. I found the pool birth better.

I don’t think it helps with pain relief but the water supports your body which makes it easier to change positions.

I found the experience of contractions very like vomiting, in the way that mid vomit you don’t have the strength to move. I don’t know if that’s a common feeling or just me! The water helped me to be able to move.

Emiliemoo · 04/05/2022 12:18

I didn't deliver DD in the pool due to some complications but I definitely felt better in the pool and would have had a water birth if I could.
I also loved being in the bath at home in early labour so definitely feel water helped me

Imissprosecco · 04/05/2022 12:20

Yes it helped but it actually relaxed me so much I stopped progressing and needed to get out both times, so I've never actually given birth in the pool.

One slight thing to point out is that they are quite deep so I spent hours propped up on my arms on the side of the pool. The next day my shoulders hurt sooo much. Side effect of birth that noone ever mentioned!

Neverreturntoathread · 04/05/2022 12:24

Yes made a massive difference to pain relief. You know how people may heat pack to cramping muscles/ sports injuries? It’s a bit like that, except the cramping muscle is your womb / inside lower back, and the best way to appy heat to those areas it is to sit in warm water.

I did find my labour got much faster once I got out of the pool though, even though it hurt much more out of the water 🤷‍♀️

But when it was really hurting it was wonderful to be able to sink back into the warm water and feel the pain in my back fade.

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 04/05/2022 12:25

Yes! I was only allowed to labour so didn’t give birth in there. If you get in the pool and don’t like it then you can get out again.

Bumpsadaisie · 04/05/2022 12:27

I had one induction - so on my back, connected to monitors.

And one water.

I couldn't speak more highly about the water birth. It was not that it was way less painful, but just that it was such a comfort and support to me in managing the pain. I felt like I could cope, I could easily move around, it was so soothing.

I couldn't recommend it more.

Bumpsadaisie · 04/05/2022 12:27

Ps my baby wasn't actually born in the water but i spent most of the labour in the pool.

GeordieRacer · 04/05/2022 12:28

Yes, I didn't plan to have a water birth but the midwife suggested it when I was in labour as the pool room happened to be free. I found being in the water made a huge difference to my pain levels - I got out of the pool at one point to visit the loo and the contraction outside the pool was excruciating, the ones in the pool were more manageable.

Hallyup89 · 04/05/2022 12:31

I've had two. They were great. Warm water is brilliant for labouring in, even if you don't deliver in there. My chin didn't half hurt the next day though, from resting it on the side of the pool!

Squiblet · 04/05/2022 12:32

Yes, I loved it, the warm water felt comforting and it was nice to have the weight taken off. Also, the baby seemed to cope better. Right after I fished him out, he was bobbing in the warm water, coughing and spluttering a bit, but not crying.

The only negative moment came when I passed out for a minute from the pain, and my head started to sink below the water level. The midwife and my partner weren't really paying attention, so I woke up coughing and somewhat frightened of drowning! No harm done though.

PatientlyWaiting21 · 04/05/2022 12:49

Do it!! Although I ended up in theatre (forceps but by that point I’d been in labour for 36 hours and was exhausted).
I did have gas and air but I just felt so relaxed and calm as soon as I got in it!

Babyvenusplant · 04/05/2022 12:54

I've no idea if it helped the pain as I have nothing to compare it to but I found it relaxing being in the water, I didn't ever get too hot

Also felt like I had a bit more privacy, even though the midwife was shining a torch towards my bits, being underwater I felt more covered??

Dd was born in the water and all went well

mowglika · 04/05/2022 12:55

I went in the water bath for both of my dc at some point during Labour but didn’t love it or hate it.

Didn’t find it did much for me, but I also find tens machines meh and I know some people swear by them

Only way to find out is to try it yourself!

TheBitchOfTheVicar · 04/05/2022 12:59

I liked that it kept me away from examinations. But the water felt too hot - when it cooled down they topped it up ‘for baby’ and I didn’t like it that hot. Though if I was going to give birth again I’d consider it, now I’m thinking back

Only4You · 04/05/2022 13:01

I did and it was by far an easier birth than the previous one.

If you don’t like it, you can still get out of the pool anyway and have access to everything else available iyswim

Blossomingtree · 04/05/2022 13:01

It felt like it gave more privacy, not sure it helped with pain but it enabled me to have a better positioning, didn't feel so heavy. After transition I did feel hot and bothered, but I would have felt that on land anyway. I kept drinking water and that helped. Pregnant with number 3 and plan to do it again.

SoupDragon · 04/05/2022 13:04

It felt like it gave more privacy, not sure it helped with pain but it enabled me to have a better positioning, didn't feel so heavy

I would agree with this. The private and buoyancy were well worth it.

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