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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

About Water birth?

55 replies

Jumbledletters · 18/12/2018 22:38

30 weeks pregnant with first baby and probably need to start thinking about this stuff.

Toying with the idea of a water birth but can’t shake a (probably daft) feeling I have...
Do midwives secretly find it a pain when delivering a water birth?!

Does a water birth make much difference to the overall ‘experience’ in terms of making it any more manageable??

OP posts:
DoneLikeAKipper · 18/12/2018 22:42

I don’t know from a midwife pov, but I had a waterbirth. I was on the verge of asking for all the drugs, but as soon as I got in the water I managed with gas and air (sipping a cold drink in between contractions). I personally would swear by it as great pain relief, and a way to keep ‘in control’ of your space whilst in labour.

I wanted one with my second, unfortunately (as some births do), that plan went out the window!

Celtic1hair · 18/12/2018 22:43

I've had two, definitely helped. Not sure if the pain was less but was so much better being able to move position easily. I'd definitely recommend one. It was much better than the delivery I had without the birthing pool!

JudasPrudy · 18/12/2018 22:46

No the midwives won't mind. When I was in early labour they practically forced me into a warm bath and it was heaven.

elliejjtiny · 18/12/2018 22:47

I loved my waterbirth. Dc1 was born in water. Dc2, Dc3 and dc5 I used water as pain relief in labour but they were too high risk for me to give birth in water.

I found it made a massive difference. Got out to go to the toilet during labour with dc1 and pain suddenly got so much worse. Massive relief when I got back in.

HerSymphonyAndSong · 18/12/2018 22:47

It was a lovely sensation being weightless and surrounded by warm water, and once in the pool my birth was as enjoyable as it is possible to be. The midwives certainly didn’t mind either way. If it’s available to you, you can always try it and get out if you don’t like it. Keep your options open and remember there are no guarantees so don’t get your heart set on a particular type of birth

Worieddd · 18/12/2018 22:50

Marking place. I’m also 30 weeks and seriously considering a water birth.

Does the midwife still catch the baby?

MustBeAWeasly · 18/12/2018 22:51

I can't speak highly enough of my waterbirth! No idea about the midwives but it's their job be nice to them and listen but do what you want to do!
I was a bit worried about a pool I felt like I'd feel way more valuable and exposed I was also worried about having a poo in it mid contraction 😅so I thought I'd try getting in and see how it went if I didn't like it I could get out. but by the time they filled it I was in so much pain all I wanted to do was get in and begging for it, it felt amazing took all the pressure off my back and bum. I leant over the side and had my husband stroking my hair. Pushing was a lot easier because I could lean against the side, I felt warm and safe and I could move around easily and just bob there in the one minute I had between contractions. Afyer two hours in the pool and an hour and a half of pushing dd was born without any pain relief. It was then lovely sitting in the warm water with her on my chest :)
Just make sure they sit you on the step and drain the water for the placenta because I was not prepared for that 😳

MustBeAWeasly · 18/12/2018 22:52

Oh I also caught the baby and lifted her up to my chest. Midwife didn't even touch her until she gave her to my husband for skin on skin while I delivered the placenta and got out

KenAdams · 18/12/2018 22:53

I had one and it was amazing. The pain largely ebbed away when I got into the pool and I only needed some gas and air. They told me to catch the baby and I had to shout I can't catch so the midwife dove her hands into the pool and caught DD 😂

Rosehip345 · 18/12/2018 22:56

I’ve had two water births and one normal. It is amazing how good water is for the pain. Practically begging for everything without the water but not even paracetamol with the water births m. I’d recommend it every time.
Also my midwife caught one and I caught the other (different births, same midwife)

Mammyloveswine · 18/12/2018 22:56

Loved my Waterbirth! The midwife saud it was one of the most relaxed Labour's she's seen and the student I had was thrilled to witness it!

It was so calm and the midwife just encouraged me to trust in my body.. there were no physical examinations, no telling me "when" to push. Was amazing! Loved it!

SleepingBooty · 18/12/2018 22:57

I loved my waterbirth. Easier to move, pain was manageable with gas and air. Midwife seemed happy with it, I'm not sure they have many at our hospital as another came into observe.

Worrieddd · 18/12/2018 22:58

Love reading these positive stories!
What did you all wear in the pool?

Original poster
Jumbledletters · 18/12/2018 23:01

Worieddd that’s for stepping in and asking some good questions, these responses are really helpful aren’t they Grin

Are you in there for hours or do you get in when you’re quite far along??!

OP posts:
PenguinPandas · 18/12/2018 23:05

Wanted waterbirth with both, first time not allowed as waters broke early so induced, second time had one and much nicer. Had to stay out of pool until 5cms dilated though with no pain relief but was doable with breathing exercises. Would recommend.

PenguinPandas · 18/12/2018 23:06

Think was in water an hour or so but was a second which can be faster than first.

MumW · 18/12/2018 23:08

First birth was on a bed - no birthing pool at the hospital. Wasn't really the experience I wanted.

Second was in water. Brilliant.
Won't be any more but it would be waterbirth hands down every time.

Wore my own birtuday suit. 😂

Only negative side was I had to be monitored with a belt before they would allow me to use the pool and I found this a bit uncomfortable and restrictive and I think it slowed things down for a bit.

CleverWittyUsername · 18/12/2018 23:09

Generally, your midwife will be happy with however you are happy. Go with what you would prefer to do, not what you think others want you to do. My waterbirth was better for me than first birth on a bed. I really wanted to move but couldn't with the first, so the pool helped me be upright, moving and feeling like I had more control over my experience

Ohyesiam · 18/12/2018 23:09

With my first birthday I wondered how hot water could ease pain. With my second bath I felt really drawn to it, the pain relief was fantastic.

SkippedALightFandango · 18/12/2018 23:09

I’m a community midwife. Most of the home births I attend are water births. I love them. The water helps with relaxation and pain. The birth is usually peaceful and calm. I help guide baby up to the surface to see Mum and Dad for the first time but only if the woman is unable to do it herself.

CelticPromise · 18/12/2018 23:09

I'm a midwife and I love water births. We don't touch as a rule but we can catch the baby or support you to catch yourself. It's not recommended to get in too early as things can slow down, but you can always get out again if that happens or if you don't like it.

KeepServingTheFestiveSnogs · 18/12/2018 23:09

It was amazing for me too - instantly helped with pain relief, and it supported my back, which was agony throughout my last trimester, plus good to have something to put my feet against and brace. Can't recommend it highly enough!

PurpleWithRed · 18/12/2018 23:10

Had a waterbirth at home in 1993 - highly recommended, we filled the pool up most nights in the last two weeks as DD was basically halfway out by then, it was bliss. Passed most of the labour in the pool but wanted OUT NOW in transition so delivered kneeling on the floor. I dont think I wore anything - really didnt give a shit who saw what by then.

Rainshowers · 18/12/2018 23:11

I had one for my second and despite hating baths, I really liked my waterbirth. I’d been pacing around since the contractions started and was exhausted, so the relief of being weightless in the water was lovely. The warmth helped and I just felt more in control than during my first labour. I was pretty far along though and probably only spent half hour in the pool before giving birth.

The water is also meant to soften everything so you might not tear as badly/at all. I had a second degree tear and compared to the episiotomy I had the first time round recovery was a walk in the park!

PrivateDoor · 18/12/2018 23:13

Midwife here and I flipping love waterbirths! The babies tend to be so calm and alert after birth as they haven't been affected by medications. I advise waiting until labour is well established, preferably at least 5 or 6cm when it is your first baby and with strong regular contractions - otherwise it can slow things down. You may be asked to get out to deliver the placenta which is awkward and messy but hopefully doesn't take away from the experience too much.

Good luck Flowers

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