Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

water birth and less 'advice'

30 replies

Deliaskis · 14/01/2011 10:44

Hi there,

35 wks tomorrow and seriously starting to think about options for birth. At our hospital it is highly likely that I will be able to get a pool room if I want one, and the mw who did our AN classes was very supportive of that. So I would like to try the pool when I go in and see how I get on (although not ruling anything in or out).

However, she did mention that if you're in the pool, obviously they can listen with the doppler, and I can have gas & air, but that they really do very little else. Specifically she said they wouldn't be able to 'see' as much so would be less able to advise on e.g. when to push/pant, etc. which she discussed a lot when talking about avoiding tearing. She did say they would still ask us to get out if we needed to be examined if they had any reason to think things weren't going the way they should, but seemed to suggest that apart from that, we would just kind of get on with it. Obviously she would be in the room, but not necessarily actually doing anything IYSWIM.

Does anyone have any insight into this? Obviously I can ask at my next mw apt and will do, but has anyone given birth in water and felt unsure as to what to do when? I know that sounds stupid but this is my first and I am not assuming that I will know exactly what is going on at all times.

Is there something to do with giving birth in water that means labouring mothers are more likely to be able to take it in their stride and know what feels right?

Has anyone ever given birth in water and felt like they haven't had the support/advice they needed at the right tim?

I'm not totally fixed on the idea of a waterbirth, but am quite keen to give it a go, just a bit worried about being unsure of when things are happening etc.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Cleofartra · 14/01/2011 10:58

Haven't had a waterbirth but do know that it's associated with lower rates of perineal damage in women. Makes you wonder about the value of all the fiddling and instructing midwives do during a land-birth, if not having it appears to have a positive impact on the likelihood of tearing........

rubyslippers · 14/01/2011 11:02

I had a water birth - I knew when to push but I was left to labour with the MW in the room

It suited me as I wanted it to be hands off

She used the Doppler a few times but that was it

I had no internals IIRC once I was in the pool

A Good MW will know from your breathing, behaviour etc etc when you are ready to push

I didn't tear with my water birth but did with my first, non aqua birth!

And DD was very fast and shot out after 2 pushes (water)

PrivetDancer · 14/01/2011 11:18

I had a water birth (although I was actually only in the pool for about three contractions before DD was born) but before that was left to it anyway, and I didn't do any pushing at all. It was great, it didn't occur to me at the time that I wasn't being checked, but looking back the midwife was noting contractions and occasionally having a listen with the Doppler. As rubyslippers said, she must have spotted changes as at one point she called for second midwife (was a homebirth) who arrived just in time for the birth, and at another point started getting gloves on etc and kit ready, which made me ask 'is it about to happen then?!'.

This was my second baby though, I dont know how well it would have worked with a first baby but I think it would have been ok. With my first I was examined and found to be fully dilated and then instantly was 'hassled' to push every contraction, which really pissed me off to be honest. I could feel the baby moving down anyway so really just wanted to be left alone.

I say go for it, they will know if things aren't progressing as they should and that you do need extra checks if there is a problem, they won't just leave you in the pool for hours, oblivious.

Good luck!!

doittomorrow · 14/01/2011 11:39

I had a water birth with my first and it was all very straightforward.
From what I can remember (details are a bit hazy!) baby was checked with doppler every now and again and I'm pretty sure, although not certain, that MW checked progress with a mirror, certainly no internals once I was in there and I wasn't asked to get out. Whatever she did, she certainly knew what stage I was at, advising when to breathe and when to push. I think pushing lasted an hour or so, maybe a bit more. No stitches.
I also clearly remember getting into the water, the feeling of relief was amazing.
Would have requested a water birth with my second as well if he had given us time to fill the pool. As it was he arrived 3 hours after first twinge and 15 minutes after arriving at midwife unit.
Good luck.

Bue · 14/01/2011 12:08

You will still have encouragement and support and communication, but waterbirths tend to "do themselves". The MW will not be coaching you to push and she won't be hands-on unless there's some emergency. In my opinion, this is all a good thing!

notnowbernard · 14/01/2011 12:15

I've had 3 waterbirths in hospital

They've all been v positive experiences (in that they were straightforward, uncomplicated deliveries without any intervention)

I used gas and air as pain relief and delivered in the water each time

IME the water did not relieve pain in itself but was warm, relaxing and enabled me to move into good labouring positions

The mw was supportive each time and seemed to know how much support I needed without asking, IYKWIM

They listen frequently with a doppler

Not sure about the 'what can they see?' bit... I kind of knew when I needed to start pushing (each mw could tell also). Have NEVER been told to 'pant', btw

I have torn in 2 labours and grazed with the other

HTH

ChessyEvans · 14/01/2011 12:51

This is the reason I want a water birth - I want to be left alone! Seems a more natural way to do things in the sense of not being prodded around and given too many instructions.

Also interested in the birthing position element as it seems more sensible to be leaning over the side of a pool rather than lying on back.

notnowbernard · 14/01/2011 12:55

the position thing is really something you can't plan for or predict

you find a position that feels 'safe' or 'right' or whatever and you work with it, IYSWIM...

i've delivered (in the pool) lying back, on all fours and leaning over the side... so different position each time

StartingAfresh · 14/01/2011 13:05

Oh waterbirths are OOVELY. That massive 'fuck off' barrier, and you can just glide to the other side if someone is getting too close and they have to run all the way round to get to the otherside.

If you put in your birthplan that you'd like as much guidance at the pushing stage as you can get without getting out of the pool, then they'll probably help you to deliver slowly by reminding you to pant etc. but tbh, if you have had a lovely active and relaxing birth, the baby is most likely going to be in the optimal place for birthing and do the least damage anyway.

mumatron · 14/01/2011 13:14

i had dd2 in the pool last week.

i had no internal examinations once i was in the water. I think the mw could see when the contractions changed by my body language and breathing. she asked me a few questions about hhow they felt etc.

when i had given birth with my other 2 dc (on dry land) i remember feeling a bit out of control, especially while pushing. In the water i felt very calm. in fact i was so calm i delivered the baby myself, just reached down and grabbed her as she being born.

i would definately recommend trying it, if you dont like it you can always get out.

notnowbernard · 14/01/2011 13:35

Aw, Mumatron your post has made me go all gooey

Congratulations

Poppet45 · 14/01/2011 13:45

I was trying for a waterbirth and am one of those for whom interventions increased when the mws guessed something wasn't right - well I say guessed I suspect their increasing interventions also made the situation worse, but then they may not have, they have been the very best thing to do. Anyway I ended up with a c section but the labouring in water was just wonderful, the total highlight of DS's birth - even though up to a few weeks before using the birth pool hadn't really appealed to me.
The beginning of my labour was great, student midwife with us the whole time, really lovely, with regular doppler checks but very few internals. Then there was a shift change and my next midwife was much less bothered about me as a person - probably because I was mooing away in much later labour. She did keep getting me out of the pool probably because my labour was slowing, which was very painful, and broke the rest of my waters, which actually I really hadn't wanted, and as soon as I got past transition had me out of the pool and pushing even though I had NO urge to push at all. She then tells me how poorly I'm pushing and that DS's head is starting to swell so it was off to theatre for forceps or a section. It turns out DS was in an unbirthable position - with his head wedged sideways in my pelvis and removing the waters got rid of his last chance to turn around. Now I'm very grateful for the section and for the fact that DS was fine, and apart from a stay in a high dependency unit after complications from the section I was too, but I'll never know if her interventions helped or hindered me. So I'm definitely all for being left alone as much as possible in labour but listened to - I knew when I was pushing something wasn't right but kept being told that no I was wrong and just wasn't trying hard enough - and I am also very against coached pushing, I don't think it's needed frankly, and if it is it's because something isn't quite right, bugger off until I feel the urge, or else my body does it of its own accord.

MaElsie · 14/01/2011 16:18

Had a waterbirth myself - brilliant. Was so relaxing getting into the warm water and they keep it nice and warm too.

Was great to be able to move about if necessary to help labour - which I couldn't have done on a bed

Didn't feel unsupported at all and the midwife was able to monitor me & baby fine

Also, the baby arrived clean!

I'd say give it a go - the worst that can happen is that you decide to get out.

One suggestion - take flannels for your dh to mop your brow with cool water... it's the nicest thing while you're in the warm pool

Only downside is that you have to get out towards the end. I'm definately going to go for a waterbirth next time.

stump · 14/01/2011 16:43

After a pretty traumatic delivery with DD1 which I won't go into here I opted for a waterbirth for my second labour when DS was born. I went to my midwife let unit and had been in the room about an hour when I got in the pool. I wasn't examined once in my whole labour. My midwife was obviously very experienced and knew by what I was doing that I was progressing fine. I just followed what my body was telling me. She told me to just wait to push until I really couldn't wait any more. She listened to the baby regularly and did have a mirror (although no idea how much she could see really). I just went with it - you will be surprised I think by how much instinct you have with what to do with your body. My DH saw my DS's head come out and he was sleeping - so obviously a pretty calm experience for him too! And as everyone else has said you can always get out if you don't like it or if you think you want more help!
All the best!

Original poster

Deliaskis · 14/01/2011 17:24

Wow, lots of replies! Sorry for not coming back earlier, I have been in and out of the office and work kept interfering with my ability to mn!

You've all totally reassured me, even the stories that didn't end in calm water birth. I think I'm going to give it a try and see how I get on. I'm not one of those who is absolutely stuck on one idea of how it's going to be though, I know things can change at any point, but I am reassured to read about your experiences and that the mw will still be 'on the ball' about what is needed when, even if there is perhaps less need to give instructions etc.

Thanks ladies, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your stories.

OP posts:

thefurryone · 14/01/2011 18:11

Hi, just thought I'm also a first timer so have no useful tales from my own experience but if I remember rightly from the trailers tonights One Born Every Minute on Channel 4 at 9pm is featuring a waterbirth.

There was also a bbc programme that I think was only shown in NI called Special Deliveries that had some amazing waterbirths although I don't seem to be able to find any clips on line and it's been removed from iplayer I'll keep looking for you though.

thefurryone · 14/01/2011 18:15

Sorry I clearly didn't read that post properly before clicking, have no idea where just thought came from.

Also One Born Every Minute is on tv on Monday not tonight, I had yesterday off work and it's led to me thinking it's Monday all day!

lilly13 · 14/01/2011 20:39

I have been considering water birth. I met my consultant this past week and he suggested going in the water during contractions, but not for the actual delivery which he insists should be done on land... Has anyone had similar a experience? Is it much worse/painful/protracted to do what my consult suggests?

mumatron · 14/01/2011 23:03

lily there is no way i could of got myself out of the pool by the end. Changing from all fours to sitting was a big effort for me. obviously you may be different.

did he say why you would need to get out?

noeyedeer · 14/01/2011 23:40

Lily I had a water birth yesterday and had to get out for the final push (literally) because I needed an episiotomy. If I hadn't needed that then I would have been allowed to deliver in the pool.

It wasn't more painful, but then by that point I didn't care! It took two midwives and my husband to haul me out though.

miacat · 15/01/2011 04:04

I wouldn't advise getting out of the pool at all-i had to get out, as i had a small bleed, and i absolutely hit the roof. To the point where i can't actually remember the space in time between standing up in the pool and having the epidural needle in my spine. Oh the relief! :)

I am trying for a waterbirth again this time tho. My first labour wasn't a good experience and he was born about 12 hrs after i got out of the pool via forceips and had to be swooped onto the resus table. Plus i had a HUGE episiotomy.

Baby 2 was much easier. And i only had a small tear.

I don't understand why he would say you have to get out of the pool at the end.

miacat · 15/01/2011 04:06

StartingAfresh

Oh waterbirths are OOVELY. That massive 'fuck off' barrier, and you can just glide to the other side if someone is getting too close and they have to run all the way round to get to the otherside.

That made me laugh out loud. My mother-in-law is going to be at my birth!

lilly13 · 15/01/2011 08:21

noyedeer and mumatron, congratulations!! thank you for your advice!

miacat, many thanks! hope things go well for you.

i'll have to press my consultant at the next appointment to walk mne through the rationale for getting out of the pool (maybe it is to have a more hands on baby monitoring?) i am so scared... going to do hypnobirthing - maybe that will help...

Claire0 · 15/01/2011 10:54

Hi Lilly13, I'm 34 weeks and thinking of a water-birth too ( its my first baby) I think the One born every minute on this Monday shows one, maybe for some idea on the experience? I've also been reading the hypnobirthing book - Anything that helps at any stage of labour is worth a go for me !

mungogerry · 15/01/2011 12:46

I have had 3 water births. First in hossy. 2 at home.

The whole attraction to me was the hands off approach. I loved that the mw was around but just in the background for each. I caught 2 of the babies myself (including my first in hossy). So all they really did was intermitently lissen to baby with a doppler, and then cut the cord when I told them it had stopped pulsating. Oh and with my first in hossy I had an internal. with my home 2 I didn't even have those.

Your body ABSOLUTELY knows what to do, it will guide you when to change positions, when to walk and when to rest (before you get in to the water obviously) and if you trust it, and try to relax and open up, rather than fight against your body it will do it very effectively in 98% of cases.

Vesy best wishes for ana mazing and beautiful birth. Water births are a very gentle and special way to greet your baby.

Flip

1 2