birthing pools

[superrach73]

Hi, I'm 35 weeks today and just coming round to the idea of using a birthing pool. I'm giving birth in hospital so know it's not certain that i'll get one but wanted to know what people think.

I only want to use it for pain relief and ease of movement. I've had back and hip pain for about 6 weeks now and think this will help me in labour.

Have lots of stupid questions though like - how warm is it? (i like my baths really hot!), what to wear? (my husband can't believe I'm bringing my wardrobe issues into this!), do hospitals mind if you dont intend to use it for the actual birth just leading up to?

Any advice would be great :-)

I had my first baby at a birthing centre and used the pool in the later stages of labour as it was busy earlier

I had my waters broken and what had been manageable with gas suddenly became almost unbearable. The immediate relief I felt on getting into the water was incredible and I would highly recommend it. It also made me want to push almost straight away. My time in the water was short lived because DD's heart beat started to dip as I was pushing and they took me out so I don't know about water birth.

You should certainly be OK to go into it with the intention of only using it for pain relief (I've been told I can do that again next time but not allowed to have water birth) but it would be worth being open minded and finding out about delivery in water if you're medically OK to do so - you might not want to get out!!!

You could wear anything you like - I wore nothing and that was fine - the only people that will see you are about to see you give birth so a bit of nakedness is nothing! Make sure any tops are reasonably close fitting as anything else will float up round your armpits and be really annoying!

Water temp is 37 and you won't be allowed it any hotter as it will stress the baby, especially if you deliver into it. I like hot baths too but by the time you're in labour you'll probably feel pretty hot anyway and the delivery suites are usually warm too.

My local mw team held a water birth class which was really useful and answered loads of questions I had. Worth seeing if there's anything in your area.

Glad you asked this as I am also considering using the pool at my birth centre as I have had bad SPD since week 14 of my pregnancy and now I am very very sore! As my baby is back to back I am also worried about using it for a short time and then needing to get out so I can have an epidural if necessary. I hope lots of people can give their opinions on the pools. Ps I like my baths hot too, I heard the pools are fairly warm and not just tepid. I am also wondering about how the hospital are about hubby getting in (with shorts on of course).

Thanks ladies - all useful stuff. As far as I understand hospitals are fine about birthing partners being in the pool too - shorts probably a good idea ;-)

I used a birthing pool for pain relief for first child and to give birth for number 3. (No time to fill it for number 2!). Pain relief was amazing even with back-to-back labour first time around. I didn't give birth in pool first time as my labour slowed down enormously in the pool (too relaxed?!) but I was in there for a good couple of hours! With third labour I was only in for about 45 mins and had intended to use for just labour but ended up delivering in pool and it was wonderful. Far nicer than 'land' delivery in so many ways.

I am a steaming hot bath fiend too, but I didn't mind at all about the body-temp water. It just felt soooo nice. Also, they do keep it at a constant temperature so it doesn't start to get chilly like a bath at home.

Ahead of getting in the first time around I had been worried about what to wear too but in the end nothing seemed the most natural and meant I had dry nightie for after! Again, I wouldn't rule out giving birth in the pool: with most labour-related things it is best to react to circumstances as they present themselves - keep an open mind and take the advice of your midwife.

Good luck!

ooh that is good younevercantell. How long were you then out of the pool with your back to back labour?

I think they only recommend you get in once you are over a certain amount dilation (maybe 5 CM) as it can slow the birth down.

I was told at the NCT classes that men can get in and also that sometimes women lift their pelvis out of the water which puts the baby in danger as it has to either be born in water or born on 'dry land' and can't be halfway in or out, so make sure you do get out in plenty of time :)

I've had 3 hospital waterbirths, all positive experiences and I'd definitely recommend one

Iy's like getting into a lovely warm bath, except it's bigger, hurrah

You can wear what you like - I wore nothing, far more comfortable and I really didn't care

I was told that I could spend as little or as much time in there as I wanted - I delivered in the pool each time. Once in, there was NO WAY i was getting out

Good luck!

I wouldn't want a partner in there with me - eek!

It can be a messy old process...

I am a bit worried about them being able to see what is going on..say for example the baby's cord was round its neck or something (I know I am probably overly worried) but how would they monitor that? As it seemed like they have it quite dark in there too.

They monitor the heartbeat with a doppler every 20mins or so

They can't really 'see' anything until the final pushing bit, I think. And that's only the head, IYKWIM

Yes - if the baby was in trouble their heart rate would dip.

Waterbirth is ace!!

Great I will try and get the pool then. Its a first come first served and I live in a big city so dont know what my chances are but worth a go!

Also live in a city and never had problems getting the pool

Suppose it depends on who goes into labour that day and if they want to use it too. Fingers crossed.

DEFINATELY go for a water birth, had DD in water with just gas and air, and she was 10lb 10.5oz!!!
I wore a tankini top as wasn't comfortable with the idea of my boobs floating all over the place, and it worked a treat.
DH brought his shorts with him, but in the end it turned out to be MY space and although I wanted him close, I didn't want him actually in with me.
I had really bad SPD and went in in wheelchair & crutches, being in the water was great for that, and as you are fairly upright it keeps labour ticking along nicely.
I am also of the "hot as lava" bathwater school, and that was my biggest worry, but it was actually just right, and they kept the temp constant for me.
Good luck and let us know how you get on!

you've all convinced me to give it a go. watch it not be available now when I get there!!

Even if it is in use, you might be comfortable in the bath until it does become free

I used the bath LOADS with DC1 and DC2, and found it really helpful in the ealier stages

Worth a go

(Bet the pool is free, though. Of all the people I know who've had hospital waterbirths, none of them had to wait for it. And I don't know anyone who couldn't use it because it was already in use)