induction and water birth

[ThatllDoPig]

Should I give up hope of using the birthing pool if being induced? Anyone got experience of this?

Pretty much - if you have the drip then they'll want you to be continuously monitored which means no pool. If you have just ARM though, you might be in luck. Speak to the MWs.

Scuse ignorance what is ARM
I know I should find out more about this process as it's likely I'll be experiencing it Friday.

Just been lucky enough not to have to go through with it before as babies turned up in time. Still hoping for this one, but Friday looms. Ridiculously scared of induction.

I am being induced tomorrow... and am holding onto the hope that the pessary might just kick things off and I won't need to go to ARM or Syntocin, and then can therefore use the pool/be back on track for a more natural VB. I did a quick search on this in the Mumsnet archives and there were posts where people had had waterbirths during induction which is cheering (if in the minority!).

ARM is artificial rupture of membranes i.e. breaking your waters. I was pretty terrified of induction too but there are plenty of success stories (some threads on Mumsnet about it).

OP why are you having induction?

Good article here about balancing the risks of having vs. not. Worth thinking this all over and making sure you're fully informed before giving consent to be induced.

midwifethinking.com/2010/09/16/induction-of-labour-balancing-risks/

Very interesting article barelyutterly

I had the drip and wasn't allowed a pool - I wouldn't have wanted it anyway as I wanted an epidural as the drip is savage. With the benefit of hindsight I think I wanted a waterbirth as I would have quite liked to be in a spa rather than giving birth . I'll be booking a spa day soon to make up for it!

That's interesting to know that with ARM you may be able to use the pool. I am being induced in 9 days and had assumed it wouldn't be possible, would be fab if I could.