Bed birth 1st time, Waterbirth 2nd time - Did you find it better?

[Littlerayofsunshine]

I am due with DC2 on Monday. I would like to try waterbirthing. I had a speedy delivery with DD so didnt have time for waterbirth! I did a natural birth with a small amount of G&A. I did slightly tear and have a PPH 1000mls after delivery but if given the chance this time, i think it may help...

how did you find it compared to giving birth previously without water?

First 2 bedbirths with G&A, 3rd in water. Really recommend water - gives more support to your body in final stage, you can float about and shift position more easily and it's warm, which is really nice. But my labour was very quick (8cm dilated on arrival at hospital and delivered an hour later), so not sure if I'd have had the patience to get in and out of water several times over a labour of many hours. Really recommend you give it a go.

Thanks, Hopefully I can. I just think that the water will be soothing (as much as it can be in labour!) I managed on a small amount of G&A with DD, but that just made my mouth dry. I do worry about if i poo in there though.. I know they've seen it loads before but
I didnt with DD (probably where i cleared out the morning i had her lol)

It was sooo much better in water, no other pain relief either time....I would def choose water again

PPH like that might make midwives nervous of 'allowing' a waterbirth.

I had a pph and had a waterbirth next time though but I had to insist. I also had to insist on natural 3rd stage and to have it in the pool.

All in all it was a perfect, almost painfree birth however. Planning another water homebirth any minute now.

Thats reassuring, Yeah I did the 3rd stage naturally, but they have written in my notes this time that i need active management (jab)

My head is all over the place at the minute, beginning to get anxious on & off, just waiting for that pain to start...I've heard that your 2nd time is more intense/painful?

Nope. I bet if you did a straw poll on MN you'd find that 2nd births are the best and easiest on balance.

i had water birth with dd1,who is dc3.very relaxing,really helped with the pain,would reccomend it,previous 2 were on dry land (i love saying that) and the crowning part was much more stingier than it was in the pool.i am having number 4 now and am having a water birth at home.

cuddler that good to hear :)

Yeah i just like the idea of it, and where i didnt have time with DD I just hope i do this time.

My recent third birth was a waterbirth and it was the only one where I didn't tear, which made recovery soooooo much easier.

Also the feeling of relief when I got into the water as contractions were coming thick and fast was amazing.

I had no pain relief except for one puff of gas & air right as the head was crowning, it meant that I was totally chilled and didn't push and I think this helped with not tearing as well.

Would totally recommend

Hoping for one of those in the next few days!
Feel like crap today, hoping its a sign, just clutching at straws though, more likely I'm just ill.

Had home WB for second after hospital/bed birth first time round. Think it made the crowning stage easier. DS did shoot out and I barely tore at all (v small 1st degree tear), and I suspect it may have been worse if on dry land. However prior to pushing found the water stopped my contractions dead and had to get back out after 20mins of no contractions having got in with them only couple of mins apart. I found tens machine absolutely amazing and regretted takign it off and getting back in pool the second time. Delivered placenta on the sofa as wanted to get out of the water pretty fast once DS arrived.

Recovery was really fast second time around, unlike with DD where I felt like I'd been kicked by a horse for ages despite only small tear.

So I think the birth second time round was just easier full stop - I was more relaxed and confident, the tens machine was a godsend and I wish I'd had one in the first labour. Both labours were back to back labours as well.

Had WB with DS2 and DD, and bed births with DS1 and 3.

WB is amazing, I found it to be a fantastic pain reliever and I also like the tact that it gives you a kind of safe zone that others can't invade IYSWIM.