did anyone labour but not actually give birth in water? Can you tell me about your birth pool experiences?

[everybodysang]

I'm now 39+2 and am hoping to use our very lovely local midwife-led unit. It only has two rooms and one birthing pool, I don't have my heart set on using the pool but I would very much like to give it a try if it's available. I like the idea of using it for pain relief in labour but not so much for giving birth - though I'm open to that too, just not quite sure about it.

I have only just realised that despite being told 4 weeks ago that I would be ok to use the midwife-led unit, barring anything untoward arising before the birth, and having researched every other element of labour etc until it's coming out of my ears (not literally, obviously), I haven't actually really thought at all about the water part. So I suddenly feel a bit freaked!

If you laboured in water but then got out to give birth, was it difficult to get out of the pool? Why did you get out? Or if you stayed in - how was it?

Thank you for reading my slightly panicked rant.

Hi everybodysang - I also gave birth in a lovely midwife-led unit, and had also set my heart on a watr birth.

I spent most of the labour at home in the bath. When I got to hospital I was examined and told I was five cm dilated. I told the midwife that I wanted to use the pool and she filled it up really quickly and I got in and puffed on some gas and air. To be honest, by the time that I did get in to the pool I was in a completely different zone, kind of went into myself and actually wasn't that aware or bothered about being in water or not.

About twenty minutes in the baby passed meconium which is a possible sign of distress, and the midwife said that I had to get out to be monitored. I honestly don't really remember the getting out part, was completely 'into myself' iykwim. I ended up delivering on all fours about forty minutes later.

On reflection, I think that the pool was probably a bit wasted on me as by the time I got in I was nearing transition and wasn't really aware of where I was. If I did it again I would have liked to have got in a bit earlier. The other point is that I had to get out to deliver, and this was fine, didn't really notice!

So I would say that labouring in water is fab, and don't worry about whether you deliver in there or not - you probably won't notice!

With DC2 I laboured in the bath at home for about 6-7 hours. It helped enormously with the pain relief and I was able to relax sufficiently (and be exhausted enough) to nod off between regular contractions.

I managed to get out of the bath without difficulty and into the car and to the hospital with no drama where I was told I was 10cm and ready to push.

I wasn't keen on the idea of the pools at the hospital or giving birth in the water and actually found the smallness of the bath a comfort. It also gave me something to brace against during contractions.

I did this with dd2.

I found the water an absolutely amazing pain- relief. The pain - which was pretty strong - just disappeared for 30 minutes when I was in the pool.

When it increased again and I wanted pethidine, it was difficult to get out. The pain was so very much stronger when I got out of the water and I could only have gas an dair until I got into the adjoining room and sat on the bed. It seemed like a v v long journey!

I then had a pethidine jag but dd2 was born less than 40 minutes later so it shows you just how close I was to birth and how effective the water was for me.

Of course, it can be completely different for each individual so always bear that in mind.

Yes, it also depends very much how far on you are when yo uget i nto the water.

I had to get out of the pool (labour had stalled at 10cm and needed to restart contractions). It was bloody hard. Physically and emotionally. I just couldn't move. Just getting out of the pool was like climbing a mountain.

And the difference in pain? Good God.

I hated the birthing pool to be honest. My contractions were in my back and I took the tens off to get in the pool, thinking it would help. but, i must have spent no more than 20 minutes in there, before begging to get out and put the tens back on (and the relief at that point!). BUT, i don't know anyone else who had a similar experience (except from my mum who was there at the birth and said it brought it all back to her as she felt every contraction mostly in her back).

just go with the flow, you'll know what you want when you are there. good luck

I laboured at home in a birth pool and found in really helpful. I had to get out a couple of times to go to the toilet and it wasn't a problem, although I needed to lean on DH to get in and out of the pool as I felt a bit wobbly!

I was quite open to the idea of giving birth in the water, but once the mw examined me and told me I was ready to push, I didn't feel like getting back in.

I'm due again next summer and definitely intending to use a birth pool again if possible. This time I'd quite like to give birth in the pool as well.

I laboured in our MLU birthing pool for about 6 hours. It was a loooong day for me...

Anyway, I'd been in for 6 hours before the MW had to break my waters. I was about 6/7 cm dilated at that point, had been 4/5 when I got in. While it was ok pain relief, it turned out my waters were cushioning my contractions making them ineffective and less painful. Once they had been broken I knew about it. I only lasted another hour with the G&A before I got out of the pool for pethidine. DD arrived another 3 hours after that.

It was very relaxing while I was in there, and I didn't find it too hard getting out. I was quite nimble throughout pregnancy and labour despite being the size of a small country. Although I did have to stop half way while I waited for a contraction to let me go

Maybe if my waters had already gone by the time I got in it might have been different - for me that was the key difference in the amount of pain.

I hadn't considered a water birth until they suggested it to me when I got there. I would have given it a go had I not wanted a pethidine injection. Would have been nice not to move, but tbh I just went with what felt right at the time.

Good luck with it all!

My waters went before labour started and it was agony. I am hoping that next time I can labour with my waters intact and see some kind of difference. 28hrs of labour (6hrs of that pushing) with no waters was a bit ouchy.

I think birth pools are a very personal preference. I've known people dead set on the idea of them who hated it as soon as they got in. Hated it. However I was similar to you. Not terribly bothered about using the pool, I just thought I'd try it after hearing really good things about birthing pools from other mums. My god those things are miraculous. The sense of space and privacy you get, and the amazing powers of pain relief from just hot water. When I had to get out for exams it was like the pain was doubled! I had to get out for pushing as my labour was slowing and the MW decided she wanted to break my waters. I didn't want her to, but was off my head on gas and air so didn't appear to get much choice in the matter, because although the pool got me to 7cm on nothing other than some cocodamol tablets, I used six - six - bottles of gas and air for the next 3cm :o There was a reason for this, my MW hadn't realised my son was in an unbirthable position.
I also didn't deliver in the pool as my DS was stuck in deep transverse arrest. Ie wedged sideways high up in my abdominal cavity. So in the end he came out of the sunroof. However if I ever VBAC I would love to get back in the pool, it was the best bit about my birth experience.

I had the same delivery as Poppet (we've compared notes before). DD was in deep transverse arrest too and hand a cs. But if I had a VBAC, the birth pool is the bit I'd want to have again.

Laboured and gave birth in the pool, would have bitten the arm off anyone who suggested getting out!

Only 1 DC so nothing to compare it too, but anecdotaly it seems to significantly reduce the pain of crowning.

I went in the MLU pool at 5cm dilated, waters already gone. 6 hours later I got out for a check and was still 5cm. After some discussion with other staff they let me get back in for another 2 hours.

Getting in and out (in between contractions!) was unwieldy and inelegant especially as I had SPD so was in a wheelchair to start with, but not a problem with MrNC to help.

With g+a it was lovely for the first 6 hours, but then my SPD somehow got worse and the g+a didn't cut it. The contractions were a doddle in comparison.

As I can't take pethidine the only option was epidural, so that stopped any debate about letting me stay in the pool - I stayed in the MLU room until the anesthetist was coming and then got taken down to the delivery unit.

Apparently staying in the pool too long can slow labour, but given that syntocin didn't do anything for another 18 hours I doubt it made a difference. Ideally next time I'd get to hospital a bit later (had a nice bath beforehand), get in the pool, and stuff would happen.

I laboured at home both times in a pool in our living room.
I loved being in the water, I had ease of movement and managed to wriggle into shapes that eased the contractions in a way that I wouldn't have been able to on dry land.

sounds wierd but it felt like getting into warm melted butter it was so nice.

as for the actual birth. well turns out it was almost identical for both boys (2.5 years apart) i used the side of the pool for support for my shoulders and feet and was almost in a legs in stirups kind of position but in the water.
I asked the midwife what she was going to do as the baby was born, she said she was going to do nothing and she suggested I leaned forwward and with the next contraction I should gently lift him up onto my chest. I was horrified, NO surely that is your job??
but I did do it and it was amazing.
FWIW there is no way I would have been getting out of the pool unless there was an emergency.

I had not planned to have the injection for the placenta so I just stayed in the pool cuddling DS1 (&2) until the placenta was on it's way.

Feel very envious of the journey you are about to go on it is totally awesome, good luck

I had a birth pool for our homebirth with DD but ended up giving birth kneeling down on the rug in the living room.

I got in at 4-5cm and stayed there on and off for most of the day. MW persuaded me to spend time out of the pool to try and speed up labour (it was stopping and starting but very manageable).

Being out of the water didn't do much except make the contractions more painful and we eventually decided to break my waters because I was worried after more than two nights without sleep that I would soon be too exhausted to push when the time came. After that I went into transition so quickly that there was no time to refill the pool and DD was born after 10 mins of pushing.

I've never heard of this happening to anyone else so don't take this as being normal...

When I was planning what I might like in labour I thought about ways I liked to comfort myself up till that point and my most common way was with a warm bath, so a water birth seemed a no-brainer.

However what actually happened was that every time I immersed myself in water - bath or birthing pool - I vomited copiously and uncontrollably, despite various anti-vom remedies. I really wanted the pool - partly because we had NO money but had gone out on a limb to have a pool at home - but it just didn't work at all for me.

However DH and DSD had great times watching Star Trek from lovely warm water until we had to give pool back.

hi i had my dd1 in the birthing pool at midwife lead chorley mat unit, was in there for 5 hours!!! so was like a prune when i got out. It was wonderful, i felt really safe in the pool and in a really comfortable position, i did everything on my own the midwife just leant in to help dd onto my chest, they did make me get out when i was 8cm to be examined and i was furious, and was so worried i would have a contraction whilst out and i did and if hurt a lot more i practiically dived back in once they had finished!
DS1 was a totally different story, all i wanted was to be in water but i had to go to Preston hospital as i was induced then once i was in labour the pool was busy infact i almost had to give birth on the ward as there were no delivery rooms free i was very stressed, finally i got a del suite and the oldest midwife in the world who let me have a bath and it really calmed me down but they would not let me give birth in the bath as they said the baby was so big, so i had to get out and give birth lied on my back soaking wet with dp holding one leg and a midwife holding another, it was very different that in water, but its just gotta come out so you have to go with what they tell you, ds was 10lb3oz so im glad the didnt leave in the bath as i would of ripped to shreds but the midwife turned and eased him out so well i just had a little tear!

long story but i love telling it as they both were so special.
If i had another which we are trying for at the moment i would want a water birth definatly but i wouldnt be as scared of not being able to give birth in wather this time.

good luck

dd laboured in water for about 4 hours but failed to progress and had to get out (very hardwork and contractions much more painful) and eventually (a long time later) gave birth on land.

ds laboured in bath at home managed to get out and get dressed to go to hospital again really hardwork like getting out of the swimming pool and feeling really heavy only with the added bonus of contractions.

Into hospital and I was in the pool within 10 mins of getting there, water and g&a for pain relief, and did not budge until ds born 2hr 15mins later. I was on all fours using the handgrips for support after ds born he floated up and mw handed him to me. It was very relaxing to the point I kept falling asleep between contractions upto a point and DH kept waking me up so I didn't drown. MW is very much an observer and you just go with the flow. I did get out for delivery of the placenta and that wasn't too bad but I guess I had a baby to distract me.

It was fantastic, waterbirth when it works is far preferable to birthing on land imho.

i loved the pool, it was instant bliss when i got in. the midwife warned me not to wee in it and i was drinking a lot of water so i had to get out about every half an hour to wee. every time i clambered out straight after a contraction, had a wee and then had to get dh to bring the gas and air to the bathroom door as the next contraction would start!

i was in the pool for about 8 hours from 5cm-10cm dilated, but was not getting the urge to push and the midwife was getting worried so i had to transfer down to the labour ward and ended up in theatre with forceps, narrowly avoiding a cs (ds was back to back and wedged). but i would definitely use the pool again, it was lovely. we had radio 3 on and dawn was breaking, it was so peaceful.

I loved the pool too. I was 8 cms when I got there, and coping well, but when I got into the pool I relaxed so much. Am a bit of a water baby usually though, so that might have had an impact. Didn't like the gas and air, so didn't use it. Laboured in the pool for about 5-6 hours, and it was brill. Didn't need any pain relief. I did, however, have to get out as I was pushing for about an hour and not making any progress, even after my waters had broken. I had no problem getting in and out (to have a wee and at the end), though did hold onto dp to avoid slipping. Had to have an episiotomy (sic?) in the end as ds was huge, and gave birth as soon as I had this. It turns out it was this hugeness that had been stopping ds coming out! Would thouroughly recommend the pool-was much easier to move around and stay upright. I had ds1 on land and wish I'd listened to my instincts and asked for the pool then too.

I laboured in the pool for DD1 and it was lovely!! made a huge difference to the contractions and really supported my enormous body!

I did have to get out to have my waters broken, and that was OK too (worst bit was getting back up again after waters broken so I could get back in. I ended up having to get out, as DD1 was a brow presentation, and got stuck - 1 emergency c-s later...........

However, the birth pool bit was fab, and I would have given birth in there if it had been a possibility for me.

I spent most of my established labour in the pool - it made a massive difference to the level of pain I was feeling. Getting from 1 to 3 centimetres was actually by far the hardest and most painful part of my labour as once I got into the water it was much easier to cope with the contractions. I had a chat with an anaesthetist at the hospital a few days before going into labour, and she thought that after an epidural water was the most effective pain relief, followed by gas and air, so I was very keen to use the pool.

Didn't give birth in the pool in the end as I had a long second stage and the MW wanted me to try different positions. Getting in and out of it wasn't a problem (but I was pretty fit after months of pregnancy yoga).

Easy to get and out of pool. There were little steps and a helpful DH and MW.

I got out for the birth because there were no water birth mw on duty at that point.

I found it helpful with pain relief as labour was going on rather a long time. I used it in conjunction with gas and air.

I got to mlu at 3am was examined and at 5 cm so pool filled up laboured in it with gas and air. Was asked to get out after a few hours as wasn't progressing wasn't too keen on getting out but wanted baby out! So got me to push on loo and birth stool delivered my beautiful son on all fours on the bed. Laying down hurt more for me. Was on all fours leaning on edge of pool sucking gas and air throughout contractions.

Had baby 5 hours later so pretty quick for first ! I retained my placenta and lost a litre of blood so that was the horrible bit when had to go in ambulance to hospital but the birth was great and the pool really helped me. Good luck !

Had planned water birth but baby was a month early, so they wanted to monitor me all the time. Very long labour, 12 hours from 8cm-9cm. Begged and eventually they let me in the pool for a rest.

Was AMAZING. Not least as for some weird reason had to have every contraction while on tiptoes and swaying, so had not really been able to get off feet for 12 hours.

Very relaxing, definitely helped with pain. All the silly things I had worried about like wet hair or cold etc were so not an issue at the time.

If you like water, I could not recommend highly enough.

Getting out the pool again was hardest thing ever.

Oh and despite everything I would do it all again so can't be that bad! Good luck!