waterbirth: why do you have to get out if things slow down?

[GloriaTheHighlyFlavouredLady]

Assuming you are happy for things to slow down that is. I can imagine if I am very uncomfortable, get in the pool and things slow down I will be mighty grateful. Why the rush?

Midwives like women to be 5cm + before getting into a birthing pool, because the relaxing effects can kind of relax a woman out of labour if she's not in good, established labour.

After 4 or 5 hours + in a birthing pool, something complicated which I don't really understand but which a very experienced waterbirth midwife explained happens - to do with gases in the blood and the effects of long immersion starting to prevent the woman's body producing as much oxytocin - so if after a while labour is slowing, getting out and allowing gravity to work - moving around, change of scenery etc can sometimes pick the labour up again and the woman could then get back in. She said though that on the whole if the woman is in good established labour, getting in the pool usually results in a straightforward birth before getting to 4 or 5 hours in the pool.

I can see what you mean about allowing a labour to unfold at whatever pace it needs too, and it probably would be less of a problem at home, in hospital though the clock tends to be ticking....

I know someone who stayed in the birth pool 10 hours with no ill effects. She had a mw and an obgyn in attendance and they had no objection.

I think the mws just want to get the labour over and done with so they can go home, tbh. Or if you are in a hospital setting, they just want you to free up the space....

Gloria I dont think you'll want it to slow down, you'll want it over with quick!

I wanted my first birth to slow down/stop so I coukd regain myself. I absolutely lost it at almost 3cm and the pain has given me PTSD and flashbacks despite my second wonderful birth.

I know that I would have done anything for it to stop including suicide and cannot understand why or how women don't rip out their synto drips if the pain is too much. I would have done with certainty.

There is some research with shows that after 4 hours in the pool, something happens to the tissues which result in a slowing down of labour. If a woman gets out for half an hour or so, then she can get back in again and things will pick up again. The body is a marvellous thing, intriguing whilst being mystery at the same time.