Water birth - any advice?

[redandyellowandpinkandgreen]

I thought I was going to have to give birth on the Consultant unit so this was out but have now been discharged so it's an option. I have read what I can (online) but the next class at my hospital is 5 days before my due date so cutting it a bit fine!

Can anyone recommend any reading or offer any advice? I know this is vain but I am self-conscious about bearing all so want to wear something in the water, what would be best?

The hospital said they only deal with three or four a month, I was really surprised it wasn't more.

This is my first baby.

Just go with the flow. Obviously you will have to take bottoms off at some point but nothing wrong with wearing a vest top or tankini. I loved giving birth in water, it was very hands off and I found it amazing to watch dd slowly coming out. There is nothing stopping oyu getting out if you don't like it, some people labour in water then get out to give birth. It is entirely up to you. Chances are you'll know what you want to do when the time comes so go with it.

A big baggy T shirt- grab one of your DP,after all is at least he can do for you!

I agree with Indith - you'll know what you want to do when the time comes and go with it.

I never wanted a water birth, but when we got to the birth centre, it seemed like the right thing to do, so I did it. Water definitely helped and I delivered DD in the water, then rather ungracefully clamboured out to deliver the placenta on dry land.

I ended up in the pool with no clothes on at all but tbh there was so much happening that I never even thought about it at the time. Besides the only people in the room were MW, DH and me. However, if you're concerned about it, I'd think a vest top or tankini top would be best. You wouldn't want something too big and loose as it could end up getting in MW's way, iyswim.

Best of luck and hope you enjoy the water!

I didn't do any research and had never considered a water birth but knew I didn't want any drugs (suffered from viral labyrinthitis during pregnancy and consequently can't bear anything that could potentially make me dizzy), my midwife asked if I wanted to use the pool and I thought I might aswell give it a shot...and I am truly a convert.

Softens everything up, takes the weight of the baby off your back, lovely and warm, soft lighting, flameless candles, swooshed around in pool for 45 mins with sleeping DD. It also gives your partner something to do - montior the water temp, let a bit of water out and put more hot in, v. important!

I am the biggest prude in the World but just stripped off and jumped (well as much as you can at 40+10 and 7cm dilated) right on in. Will absolutely aim for a water birth with next baby.

Good luck with it, I hope it's as great for you as it was for me!

just want to agree with planning a little something to wear of the vest or tankini top. You're not being silly or vain don't worry - its the main thing that was going over in my mind too!

I think having the Tankini top in my bag made me feel more relaxed about it all. But like Mercenary I ended up whipping everything off and being in the water with nowt on..
In fact I gave birth out of the water in the end, and was standing up and was still starkers . My inhibitions just went!

But if you plan for being a little self conscious with a few options in your bag, it might just take the pressure off a bit.

make sure you take towels and a spare tankini or top.
I had to get out at one point and I got cold in wet top so took it off but then when I wanted to get back in again I didn't want to put on a freezing cold wet top again.

Get your DP/DH to roll up a towel and put it on the edge of the birth pool to lean on while you contract.

If you wear glasses make sure DP/DH keeps them close to hand so you can pop them back on to see your baby once their born. My first memories of DD are rather blurry!

I ended up trying to walk half naked down a corridor to the room with the pool in it, at the time all I cared about was the relief it would bring.

It was worth being chased by a midwife with a sheet - it was fantastic getting into the water.

have a read of the 'water birth handbook' by Janet Balaskas, its great.

Have you looked into NCT classes? In some areas they run water birth workshops too.

A tighter top may be better than a loose one which flaps around iyswim!

Just realised I mixed up they're/their (dissolves into shamed-pendant puddle).

I wore a rather stylish halterneck bikini top! Looking back rather silly when I didn't have any bottoms on and some people are perfectly happy naked but I wanted to hang on to some ounce of modesty - and style!! Having said that in the moment I couldn't give a stuff about what I was wearing!!

Unfortunately I didn't progress in the water (got in at 6cm but whole labour was a bit fat failure to progress) but I can say it was the most amazing pain relief you could ask for with the gas and air.