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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

water birth has any one had one was it a good or bad choice

112 replies

jayjaybaby · 20/03/2006 13:57

my first one is due in august i think it will be much more comftable to be in a huge bath for twelve or more hours than in a sweaty labour room

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Littlefish · 24/03/2006 08:11

Hi Slinkstah

With the placenta, I think it just depends on you, the midwife and how the birth has gone. Mine was completely uncomplicated and it was actually my midwife who suggested I deliver the placenta naturally, rather than having the injection. My legs were a bit wobbly when I had to squat to deliver the placenta, but I just lent on the sides of the pool. I don't remember there being any blood, but then I was completely out of it on gas, air and euphoria! I'm sure there was some blood, because I tore quite badly, but you certainly can't see any in the photos which were taken within seconds of her birth - perhaps it sinks to the bottom??????

No idea about the membrane rupture thing. Mears is probably the person to ask.

I'm tall and big, so I sort of bobbed in the pool rather than floated, but I was on my back, with my head above water at one end, and my feet pressed against the other. It was sooooooooo comfortable!

I took my own towels with me - hospital towels are small and crispy (if you see what I mean!). It was lovely to wrap myself and dd in a big soft towel for a few minutes before dh took her while she was weighed and I was stitched.

I also took my own music which was wonderful!

Original poster

jayjaybaby · 24/03/2006 13:04

oh my god i never thougt of the towel issue so loads of towels as well i keep forgetting about the placenta thing how long does it take to deliver it hours or half hour
i was wondering too about the waters breaking
do you still need to have a bth/shower after so sorry to be so nosey

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DragonDePotage · 24/03/2006 13:08

did the pool get very bloody? Apparently so. I didn't specifically look though and didn't notice at all.

Yes, you can float in them provided you fill them deep enough. There is a minimum amount of water you need to float. Mainly it gives you a nice amount of bouyancy rather than full on floating. I was kneeling down draped over the edge the whole time and kind of floated between contractions.

I delivered the placenta naturally in the pool - the MW said there was absolutely no reason not to. I stayed in there for some time cuddling DD waiting for the placenta to arrive (the cord had been cut by then).

I would imagine there's no reason not to use a pool if your membranes have ruptured and you are in strong labour.

DragonDePotage · 24/03/2006 13:09

My placenta took about 20 minutes to deliver I think.

DragonDePotage · 24/03/2006 13:09

Remember - dark towels :o

Passionflower · 24/03/2006 14:04

It's def. the best way to give birth. Wish I had been able to have a water birth for all three.

I really think that water births should be made more accessible, and be positively encouraged by maternity staff.

koolkat · 24/03/2006 14:32

jayjay - it's amazing ! I laboured in water for 8 hours (at a birth centre), unfortunatley DS didn't want to come out in water and I was losing my contractions, so he was born within 45 mins. of coming out of the pool.

As pain relief and for relaxation it is excellent. It helps you stay upright for longer as the water takes your weight and you can avoid lying down, which is the worst thing to do for a natural birth.

The downside is you can only use gas and air in the water, no other pain relief. But you will probably find the water and gas and air are enough. If not, you can come out and get other pain relief.

DS is my one and only child. If I have any more it will be at a birth centre again or I will hire a pool for a home birth.

Good luck !

mummy2005 · 24/03/2006 16:47

I had a waterbirth with my ds, he was my second. My first pregnancy with my dd was very much an on the bed delivery and I just didn't like it, so when I was given the option when I was pregnant with ds to have a waterbirth. I must admit I was a bit nervous at first but it was fantastic!! The water is so warm when you get in and my midwives kept it topped up so it was always warm and for me it really helped manage the pain. I was 5cms when I got in and labour progressed quite fast (just used gas and air). My ds was delivered into the water - the midwives have a very "hands off" aproach to waterbirths and it was me that scooped him out of the water and held him to me - fantastic!!! I'd do it again tomorrow.

paolosgirl · 24/03/2006 17:06

I laboured in the water, but chose to deliver on the bed. They are the most fantastic things - soothing warm water, the freedom to move around and stay upright - wonderful. Go for it!

NW123 · 25/03/2006 07:23

I had a water birth and it really helped with the pain during labour but also chose to deliver on the bed. Then couldn't cope with the pain and subsequently had a 3rd degree tear my advice would be just to find out all the facts no-one has said I tore because of going for water birth but have often wondered since.

koolkat · 25/03/2006 07:52

NW123 - I am no expert but from the info. I collected at the time tears usually result from lying down and pushing against gravity.

It is easier said than done but it's best to stay upright as long as poss. I left the water too because baby refused to come out (smile] but I gave birth sitting on a Dutch birthing tool (it looks like a toilet !!) and had no tears or stiching.

The water actually sofetns the tissues and many women say that they did not tear because they had a water birth.

koolkat · 25/03/2006 07:53

tool = stool

Original poster

jayjaybaby · 25/03/2006 10:47

wow i turn my back for ten minutes and get loads of great posts this is so much more informative than anything else ive okked at thanks to all that have contributed

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koolkat · 25/03/2006 11:32

jayjay - There are videos of water births (NCT ??). It might help you decide if you watch someone else giving birth in water

Original poster

jayjaybaby · 25/03/2006 19:22

are they non scary pics i remeber the natural birth i saw at school oh my god ahhhhhhh

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Original poster

jayjaybaby · 26/03/2006 11:35

bump

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MissChief · 26/03/2006 11:51

No-ooh! avoid those videos of scary earthy looking women and their hirsute other halfs!
I'm sure my failure to give birth 1st time round in water was entirely due to this!
2nd time, looked at no videos/books etc and no problem

seriously though, I do think water births are seen too much as being something you need to prepare for specially somehow. I don't think this is true - as long as your midwife is trained to deliver in water, shouldn't be any more preparation required on your part. You'll know at the time whether you want to stay in water or not for the actual birth - I did and it was fantastic..

Littlefish · 27/03/2006 12:48

I didn't do any "preparation" for my waterbirth. In fact, I mentioned it on my birthplan (because I'd spent so much time in the bath towards the end of my labour), but hadn't found anything out about it at all!

I just asked when I got to the hospital and luckily the pool was free. I was also lucky because the midwife assigned to us was very very pro-waterbirths and natural births, so she really supported us and helped us have a fantastic experience.

I'm with Koolkat - if we have another one, I will probably have a homebrith and hire a pool, because it's the only way I can guarantee to have another waterbirth if I want one.

Littlefish · 27/03/2006 12:49

You asked about the placenta - mine took about 15 to 20 minutes and was really uneventful!

Original poster

jayjaybaby · 27/03/2006 12:53

this is so much better ive looked at various sites and they are very hippy ish and mother earth for me i need facts and thats what you've all provided me with
thank you for forgiving me my nosiness and answering my questions also on the plus side my dh is much less scared of the whole process so thank you all for your contributoins

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kitty4paws · 27/03/2006 14:06

I had all 4 of my children at home in as pool, just the most amazing experience !

Here's a photo of me just as I lifted my youngest out of the water, not hippy at all, you might just be able to see the alice band that I was STILL wearing !! I have yet to shed my 1980's hair style !

\link{http://www.stephenparkinson.com\water birth}

Original poster

jayjaybaby · 27/03/2006 15:29

is the photographer your dh/p

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Gingeme · 27/03/2006 17:35

GO GO GO with the water birth. I had my last baby in water and it was fantastic. It was the only pain relief I had and I was so proud of myself for this fact. He came out just so relaxed and and basicaly has stayed that way since. (Hell be 2 in 2 weeks). Definately recomend it to all ladies. Especialy pregnant ones

kitty4paws · 27/03/2006 19:51

Yes my DH took the photo,

I'm not sure that the lady who does the nursery photos would have tried it unless I was against a "cloud" background !

sarahlou1uk · 27/03/2006 20:25

Hi there. I had my first child in the pool in 2003 and found it a totally relaxing and fantastic experience - better then being stuck in a bed!! Am currently expecting 2nd baby and plan for another water birth but have been told 2nd one will be quicker and it takes 3 hours to fill the pool!!! I'll have to keep my legs crossed!!!

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