to be focussing too much on a water birth?

[ChiChiLaRoo]

Sadly looks like I won't be able to give birth in the lovely MLU round the corner from me. I've been told I have to be in the hospital, but I can still opt for a water birth if I want. Ultimately it is out of my control, and I'll get through it no matter what. I'm worried as there is only one birth pool in the hospital. Anyone know if there's a high chance of it already being used? I love the water and would like to labour in it, or at least try.

What will be will be but I'm trying to think positively and failing...

In all honesty, and with kindness, I don’t think we can tell you that.
It may be in use or it may not. After 3 dc myself, I can honestly say don’t have any fixed ideas on what you absolutely want for the birth, what will be will be. Best wishes

There is only one pool at my local hospital but I haven’t heard of anyone not getting it who wanted it. If you think- high risk women won’t get to use it, which increases the likelihood that you will.

I don't think anyone can tell you if it's likely to be free. I was set on a water birth too and when I got to hospital there was one free but I was too dilated by that point and had to deliver on dry land (well in theatres with forceps but that's a whole different thread)

Honestly once baby has arrived you really won't care what process you had to go through to get him or her out.

I hope it all works out for you though and you get the birth you want.

I've just had such a shit pregnancy. To have even a little control over the birth would be nice (of course). Absolutely unrealistic but holding on to a glimmer of hope...

Hi ChiChi, I had two children, around 2 yrs apart in birthing pool at hospital. I think let them know when you get there, and hopefully they'll save it for you. I wonder what % women are keen on the idea....

PS Good luck!

@SpagBowl99 me too. I know a lot of women who aren't keen. I would love to try it but I live in and love water. I understand why it wouldn't appeal to some. I have GAD and OCD and water helps. I go swimming when I'm feeling panicky so the idea of a birthing pool is appealing.

And thanks!

I was in exactly the same position as you. Wanted MLU, ended up in hospital.

I was told the birthing pool was rarely used and I got to labour there for quite a while until things slowed and I had to get out for monitoring.
They actually used the pool rooms as waiting rooms pre-op while I was waiting for DS2 ELCS at a different hospital, so definitely not in demand their either!

As others have said, you just cannot plan for birth. Keep your wish list in mind, but please don't get hung up on it - I made myself quite ill thinking I'd 'failed' first time.

Best of luck for the birth you'd like though

I had a water birth at hospital. They were pretty busy but the pool was free.
Can the hospital give you an idea of how many women who want to use the pool are able to do so?
I hope all goes well.

*there!

@Wolfiefan I have a scan tomorrow so I might inquire then!

I also love water, wanted a water birth, and was quite upset when I was told my pregnancy was too complicated so I couldn't have one. DS was born three months ago, and reading this post is the first time I've thought about not having a water birth since. By all means try for one but it won't be as big a deal as it feels now if you can't have one for whatever reason.

I was desperate to labour in water for my second pregnancy (my first was a very protracted labour, full of interventions and a race to the NICU - all fine in the end though, luckily!). When it came to my second I really wanted to feel a little more in control.

What actually happened was that when the midwife left the room to get the plug for the birthing pool, my waters broke. My son was born about 15 mins later after 2 pushes. She didn't even have time to fill the bloody thing with water 😆

I really hope you get your water birth but please realise that it's your baby who's actually in control! All you can do is be there for the ride! 😉
All the best for a swift and healthy birth 😊

Good luck. And a bath in early labour could also help. Always good to have a back up plan.

OP I'm in a very similar situation and it worries me as well.

I'm on my third baby and I know for an absolute fact that the water is the only thing that grounds me, reduces the pain and stops me freaking out as much.

I'm having to give birth at a much busier hospital than I originally chose because my baby is going to need extra care when he is born.
But the waterbirth thing - or lack of - worries me.

I’ve had 3 children, all inductions, and unfortunately couldn’t have a much wanted water birth for any of them. However I did have a long bath in the hospital with the first one, which helped a bit!

Would you consider a home birth? Or labouring as long as possible using a pool at home before you go in?
Home births don't have to be for the lowest of low risk so it could be worth looking into?

@ButAIBUtho thinking of you and hoping we both manage to get in the water!

@AmazingGrace16 I would love to but I'm just too scared. My anxiety is forcing me in to a setting where there are lots of professionals if something did go wrong! I'm sure I would be fine for a home birth but I am just far too anxious.

I was in the same position. wanted a water birth and the local hospital had a pool but obviously couldn't guarantee I would be able to use it.

I went for a home birth and hired a pool.

Ahh fair enough.
Yes then ask about how often it's used and likelihood of being able to use it. It is an uncertainty and one you can't control but you can always use water at home whilst you're in earlier stages xx

I've given birth twice.

Twice I've gone to a MLU.

Twice I have been the only labouring woman on the unit at the time.

Twice I have never made it into the birthing pool. First time they ran it after I had been there for 3 hours but by then it was too late to get in it (but I got to admire its cleanliness in the after photos).

Second time I barely managed to remove my knickers in time to give birth let alone get in the pool.

Go as long as you can in the bath at home would be my advice.

I would have loved a water birth but I was induced so had to be Labour Ward. I’m someone that finds a lot of pain relief sitting in water, sometimes sit in Bath for hours if having a heavy period.
The ward where I got induced had a bath so I got to sit in it for about 3 hours while going through early labour and it was great.

By all means pop it on your birth plan but maybe say what you want to use as pain relief if it doesn’t happen?

Plan for what you like but do be prepared not to be able to have it.

I was desperate for a water birth with DS and had no reason to think I couldn't have one (first pregnancy so very naive!)

As it happened my waters broke and I didn't have contractions for 22 hours so couldn't use a birthing pool (that's one of the stipulations) and had to go into hospital as I needed the IV antibiotics.

Birth plans are great to help you feel you have some essence of control but I do think (speaking from personal experience) that it can be distressing when you set your heart on them and they just go completely the other way. Focus on your ideal birth but try to keep an open mind and when things start happening, just try and trust that whatever happens, you and your body will work it out and baby will be born whether that be in a pool or hospital bed