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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Unexpectedly had a water birth. Best thing I EVER did!

14 replies

PermaShattered · 23/03/2011 11:45

I had a water birth on Saturday - and I'm still pinching myself! Always fancied one but never dreamed it would be possible as my first 3 pregnancies were not straightforward.

Whilst this - my last(!) - was straightforward I assumed that my history of preeclampsia and high BP would preclude me.

I turned up at the hospital - and the rest is history. Had the best MW EVER, they monitored my BP throughout - and I had the waterbirth I never thought I would have! Just wanted to share that with you! x

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SoupDragon · 23/03/2011 11:46

Congratulations! My third was a water birth too. Best of the bunch.

rasta · 23/03/2011 14:40

How lovely Had water births with both DDs, and am planning one this time round too. Bloody love them!

Congratulations on your new water baby!

prettywhiteguitar · 23/03/2011 18:19

Brilliant ! I loved mine too. So much comfier in water.

Hopefully having a home birth this time but would like a water birth again seems a pain to have to organise myself for it. It was so easy at the birthcentre !

weegiemum · 23/03/2011 18:23

Oooooh i'm

i just couldn't!! The feel of the water enveloping me made me throw up (in the pool - boy did I jump out!)

It was what I wanted, but I couldn't do it!

mullymummy · 24/03/2011 13:25

Fantastic - they really are such a good option and very underused!!

ecuse · 24/03/2011 14:02

This is encouraging. I'm desperate for a waterbirth, but am 36 weeks and just been diagnosed with gestational hypertension. I am seeing the consultant tomorrow but worried they are going to tell me I can't have a waterbirth in the MLU, and I will have to be monitored on the obstetric ward instead. If they do say that I'll try to negotiate with them, but pleased to hear that it didn't stop you. Congratulations!

OhHelpOhNo · 25/03/2011 09:37

Oh well done, I'm so pleased for you

I loved mine too!

Eglu · 25/03/2011 09:40

Fantastic. I would love one, but my labours are too quick to even think of filling a pool.

I am very envious.

Original poster

PermaShattered · 27/03/2011 10:56

ecuse keep me updated!
weegiemum - I did throw up - without any warning! - when i reached the transition stage! I was away with the fairies by then but i heard the MW say to my DH, that's a good sign -I had to get out and shower down while they emptied the pool and refilled. Coping with the contractions without gas and air was no fun - but once I'd got back into the pool it was v v quick - and the MW said to me after the birth that she panicked that wasn't going to be back in the pool in time to have the waterbirth! But I made it..... x

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ecuse · 27/03/2011 14:34

Well my blood pressure was back to normal levels on the medication. Consultant said that I need to be monitored by fetal welfare unit twice weekly and that as long as the medication continues to control the BP and I don't develop any other symptoms of pre-eclampsia then I should be fine to have a MLU waterbirth. So I'm just waiting and crossing my fingers now, whilst trying not to pin all my hopes on waterbirth and then get disappointed if I can't have one. Think I'm going to make an 'alternative birth plan' for if I'm induced/on the obstetric unit. As much to get my own head round it as anything else ...

Pootletrinket · 27/03/2011 15:01

Really interested ecuse to hear they've medicated you; they didnt with my first pregnancy and induced me (had home, water birth planned) but now it's started to climb a little and wish to monitor (fingers crossed) but apparently NICE guidelines are they offer induction from 38 weeks(which I am this Tue) - how high did yours go?

And I think it's a great idea to do an altenative birth plan, I didn't and the disappointment was immense.

Pootletrinket · 27/03/2011 15:02

Also meant to say congrats to permashattered - sounds wonderful!

ecuse · 28/03/2011 12:46

Well I'm never quite sure whether it's the upper or lower number that's more important, so the highest it went was either 177/100 or 152/111. With the medication, it's back down to around 130/90 which is more normal for me.

For reference, a woman on my antenatal thread who had PE and was induced at about 32 weeks had hers to up to 220/something.

Pootletrinket · 28/03/2011 13:13

Oh, that makes me feel better, thank you (they say it's all about the starting point that matters - my starting point was 130/82 so last week at 132/92 she was starting to say 'it's climbing' but not that bad yet) - the next day I had an ECV and it was 156/88 - suspect they didnt flinch about that one because of the circumstances.

Will keep eating the potassium rich foods and keep fingers crossed, but consider medication to bring it down if need be.

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