to ask you about waterbirth?

[GlitterBallBee]

I would LOVE to have a water birth (if possible) and was wondering if those who have had one can answer a few questions for me?

• what was it like giving birth in water?
• did it have any negatives?
• if there is only one pool at your hospital, what are the chances of you actually being able to use it, as opposed to someone else being in it?
• would you use water again? Why?

I'm totally aware that shit happens (yes, literally too!), and a water birth may not be possible... but I would love to hear some RL experience from you guys!

Thanks

I agree with luckystar1, Juju Sundin'S Birth Skills book got me to 8cm dilated with no pain relief!

I was quickly rushed to the labour ward but did manage to get a pool, I was in the pool for about an hour of 4.5 hrs active labour, I didn't give birth in it tho.

I loved it, the water was topped up by the midwife so was arm enough, and I hadn't been able to break waters as the sensation was too intense, but in the pool two contractions and my waters broke, it was amazing.
I had swum a lot during pregnancy and the baby was always placid when I swam and kicking like mad every other second of the day, and now he loves a bath, coincidence?!

I recommend telling your partner your birth plan, mybpartner was able to tell the midwife that I really wanted to be in the pool even when I was in the middle of rolling contractions and couldn't really advocate for myself!
Best of luck!

neffsaid that’s interesting about the tearing. My only tear that needed stitches (lots) was with my water birth. She was posterior though and her head came out at a funny angle - maybe would have benefitted from a midwife being right close on the perineum or maybe would have happened anyway..

I had a home waterbirth with my dc1, it was great. Did some of early labour in water with dc2 and dc5 but couldn't have waterbirths with them unfortunately.

Only negative was I hated getting out to go to the loo, be examined etc. I remember trying to run from the bathroom to the pool because I was so desperate to get back in.

If I wasn't high risk then yes I would definitely have another waterbirth. I have to have a c-section if I have another baby

Brilliant...I'd recommend it to anyone (although I did also end up with a 3rd degree tear...)

Hated it! Like you I really wanted one and begged them to fill up the pool, got in and hated it. Turns out I wanted a firm bed to push down on and feel supported whilst in pain. You just don’t know what you want until you’re in the thick of its. Hopefully you get a pool and love it but try and don’t stress If you aren’t able to get to one, you may hate it.

And I didn’t tear etc from a bed based birth

They definitely increase risk of tearing - plenty of evidence for this. The head is not as controlled as during a birth out of water (due to risk of touching baby stimulating it to breathe) and vaginas that are boggy from being in water are more likely to tear. You have to weigh up advantages in terms of pain relief versus increased risk of tear.

Glitter, can I ask why you are high risk? If you have been advised not to birth on a midwifery led unit it may be that you would be advised against using the pool, especially if you need continuous monitoring in labour.

Sorry, don't mean to be negative but it might be worth looking into it. Best of luck getting the birth you hope for.

I delivered at an MLU and was desperate to use the (only) pool. Beforehand the midwife told me it was extremely rare for there to be a clash or someone who wanted to use the pool unable to. When I arrived at the unit someone had just delivered in the pool. Don't worry they said, once she's on the ward we'll clean everything and you can get in. DD had other ideas and flew out less than 20 mins later! I was gutted! Got to have my bath (sounds so much more relaxing than it is!) in it afterwards though and I'd definitely want to give it a go for number two.

I had a home water birth with ds. It was easy and was obviously good as I helped clear up afterwards. Walking around with a baby and pushing a towel around the floor with my foot.

Dd was more complicated. ? Placenta praevia and I was induced. However I got in the bath for pain relief which made a huge difference. Had to reluctantly get out to give birth.

Water and breathing was the only pain relief because I'm a bit bonkers.

I’ve only had 1 baby so can’t compare it with anything else but...

Being in the water was so nice!
The temperature was lovely and warm and the “pool” was lovely and big so you can stretch our, turn over, stretch your legs etc
Being in water felt so relaxing and helped me focus on the task at hand!

I was in there for 6 hours and it was great! Warm and cosy, relaxing and the warm water helped with the pain (I only had gas & air!)

Baby was born, midwife lifted him out and placed him on my chest. He snuggled in to me and we put a towel over him. He hardly cried! He was also lovely and clean from being born in the water!

Our hospital has lots of pools so no real issue getting to use one but I guess that will depend on where you are?

Yes, poo happens!! It’s inevitable! Midwife fished them out with a little net and there was no fuss! It actually became a running joke between me and my husband!

Only downside for me was after the birth, getting out with cord hanging out/placenta still inside and having to waddle rather ungraciously from pool to the bed to be examined - naked, exhausted and a bit chilly!

I would 100% recommend a water birth to anyone and i will definitely want another for any other children we may have.

I would love a water birth for my second baby.

Would have liked one with the first but it was a crazy 36 hour labour and after eight hours in the pool (from 3am til 11am) I was delirious, exhausted, too warm and baby was back to back and I needed more pain relief so had to get out and eventually gave birth on my back in bed, which was hellishly painful and not a great experience. They had to break my waters and planned to induce me so I wasn't allowed back in.

Hopefully be much quicker and more straightforward. You all make waterbirths sound great!

I had a water birth with my first DD and it was the best of all three births. The water was very soothing and made it easy to move around.

The only disadvantage I found was that in the hospital I was in the gas and air wasn't piped through the wall in the pool room so it had to be wheeled in in cylinders - great until one runs out and they don't have another standing by so they have to call a porter and get him to run around and find a cylinder for me!! And that's about your only option for pain relief as well although that might've changed/depends on nhs trust as mine was 18 yrs ago now.

I laboured in water with DS but had to get out as my pushing stage went on too long and they wanted to examine me and I couldn't move after that to get back in.

I loved it and absolutely plan to do it this time, I hope to do the actual birth in there too. It was just amazing the relief and freedom. I don't have the option of a home birth so have to hope the hospital pool is free but fingers crossed it will be. I think when you've researched and heard so much about it being great you can easily assume everyone wants one but in reality a lot of people are put off by the idea so I'm hoping that holds out.

WRT tearing it's true you're statistically more likely to tear, but you're also much less likely to be cut, and the overall chance of perineal damage is lower. This is why you get conflicting reports about whether it increases or decreases tearing.

I had a little tearing but I think that was more because I pushed too hard and too fast when he was crowning instead of listening to the midwife!!!
I didn’t feel it happening at the time and didn’t feel anything afterwards but I did have about 10 stitches and in all honestly that was the worst part of the post birth healing process!!!

Both of mine were water births so don't have a non-water birth for comparison. I only used gas and air and the water for pain relief. My 2nd child was 9lb 2oz so a big baby to have. I had a 2nd degree tear with the first and a 3rd degree tear requiring surgery with the second.
I would definitely to a water birth again. It looks so weird watching people lying on a bed to give birth. Water seems much more natural.