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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

need help with women's views - mears

72 replies

mears · 21/01/2004 14:12

As you know I am completing an assignment and I suddenly realised you are the folks who can help with women's views (don't ask why it took so long).

I am evaluating the use of the pool and want to know what complaints some of you might have.
Such as
told you were not allowed,
midwives not trained.
Not allowed in pool if considered high risk
Allowed pool but not allowed to deliver in the water.
Get the idea?

Complain away

Any good points would be useful too.

Anyone who hadn't considered the pool but the midwife suggested it and found it to be fantastic

Any positive stories too/

NEED IT BY TOMORROW

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

scoobysnax · 21/01/2004 20:00

My local hospital - a large, university teaching hospital - doesn't have this facility because the doctors are against them and block any moves to raise funds or ask commissioners for birthing pools. I think it is unacceptable not to have the option available at a big maternity unit.

Original poster

mears · 21/01/2004 20:02

I wouldn't have listened into the baby at that stage either

OP posts:

stupidgirl · 21/01/2004 20:02

Not sure if it's any use, but I was told I couldn't use one as ds had a cleft. It wasn't an option with my second baby as there wasn't time (not sure the hosp had a pool anyway...)

kmg1 · 21/01/2004 20:19

Hi Mears - I had two water births (birth 2 and 3), both delivered in water, in hospital. Both pretty quick labours - c. 1 hr pratting around in hosp, monitoring etc., then 1-1.5 hrs in pool.

Water is FANTASTIC pain relief for me

First birth was great, because the midwives were very friendly and positive - did some aromatherapy too. Also they did a lot of talking, which was important as the labour progressed so quickly. Great atmosphere.

Second birth was less positive, because the m/ws were less positive about water births, and seemed generally very reluctant. We had to really fight (well dh did) to be allowed in the pool ... they were sure I was hours and hours away from delivery ... having had two similar labours previously I knew I wasn't. Eventually was allowed in under strict instructions that if things weren't progressing within an hour I would have to get out. DS2 was born just over an hour later! The pool was great, exactly what I needed for pain relief, but the m/ws weren't. They continued to be rather aloof and distant, and not very communicative. In fact I only took two pushes to deliver the head, and the m/w completely missed it - she didn't actually realise what was going on!

All in all I got the impression that the m/ws in question had some experience of waterbirths, but didn't really approve...?

HTH

kmg1 · 21/01/2004 20:26

Whoops! Just realised you've gone, and I've missed you already. Also realised I'd contributed to your previous thread ages ago ... but almost identical post from me ... nice to know my memory's still functioning OK ... it does all feel a LONG time ago now. (Youngest is 4.5)

Linnet · 21/01/2004 21:23

I would like to try the pool but my local hospital doesn't have a birthing pool as they don't have the space for it, and not likely to get one as they keep trying to close down the maternity unit, but that's another story.

Sorry, probably not much help.

Clarinet60 · 21/01/2004 22:02

I had one in my birth plan, but, well, you know how it is. I was strapped to the bed flat on my back by the monitor.

Levanna · 21/01/2004 23:27

Hi, I was desperate to use a pool for labour, though not neccesarialy birth. I really find water great for easing pain. I booked a pool at St Marys (Manchester), arrived at the hospital in labour only to be told the pool room was under renovation and I couldn't use it. It really threw me, and though I had a good labour nonetheless, it wasn't how I'd hoped. I know it's not a great idea to have preconceived ideas of how labour will be, so on. But, I thought the least the hospital could have done is let those that had booked the pool in those few weeks, know that it was out of use so that we could make other arrangements if we wished. I really felt that it was yet another chioice in hospital that was taken out of my hands. I felt that it's not (or wasn't) seen by them as a valuable form of pain relief and relaxation, which is certainly how I saw it, and I had really considered it important.

bloss · 22/01/2004 00:37

Message withdrawn

Original poster

mears · 22/01/2004 01:50

I think that the pool does not work for everyone. I am sure that it works best when labour is progressing normally. However I think in labours where the baby is not descending as it should the pain levels are actually increased because of effective contractions with inagequate progress IYSWIM?
Having read your previous posts on the subject Bloss, I think that the fact your baby did not descend despite dilatation of the cervix means that your increased pain was due to the fact your baby couldn't go anywhere. You must congratulate yourself on the fact that you did everything you could but, it was totally out of your control. You wouldn't have known if you hadn't have tried.
If you ever think of having another baby Bloss, you will know that an elective C/S is the way to go. Best wishes, mears.

OP posts:

Original poster

mears · 22/01/2004 01:51

Look at the time and I am still on this computer. No-one here to talk to so will carry on typing what I should be doing. Thanks everyone for all your help

OP posts:

Gomez · 22/01/2004 01:53

Hey Mears I am still here trying to finish my assignment too!

poor us

Original poster

mears · 22/01/2004 03:48

Have had enough now and going to bed. Still not finished

OP posts:

bloss · 22/01/2004 07:12

Message withdrawn

bloss · 22/01/2004 07:12

Message withdrawn

Marina · 22/01/2004 09:37

Hope this is not too late Mears. As you might remember I was hoping to have a waterbirth with dd after 1 x c-section for transverse lie and 1 x 22 week stillbirth. My consultant kept an open mind about my wish for VBAC. But before it was finally decided I ought to have a second c-section (because of polyhydramnios & non-engaged head)I did a tour of the labour ward with a member of my community team. She was enthusiastically showing me the pool and agreeing with me about its advantages for VBACs when one of the staff midwives appeared and got involved in the discussion. As soon as she heard I was VBAC she said I would not be able to use the pool. Full stop. I don't know how things would have panned out if I had gone into labour, but you can see why people get put off. I am so happy to have my two wonderful children but had such crappy experiences with my two elective c-sections. I am so, so pleased for all the people on Mumsnet who managed birth in water. ANYTHING that anyone can do to raise its profile and dislodge attitudes like that midwife's is great news IMO. Good luck with the assignment.

BekkiKay · 22/01/2004 10:06

When I got in the water I felt out of control and the pain became harder to deal with so I quickly got out. Problem was that I felt awful about getting out of a pool that the mw took almost an hour to fill! They seemed really disapointed that I wasn't going for a water birth and I chose to relax on the bed instead. Also the water slowed my contractions right down.

Kyliebump · 22/01/2004 10:08

Am I too late Mears?

Really wanted a water birth for ds, but was told I couldn't have it because I was positive for StrepB. Interesting to read your post that women are still allowed to use the pool with StrepB as long as their IV antibiotics have started. I was induced (10 days late), ds was posterior, ended up having epidural then a ventuose delivery. I had several lots of IV antibiotics, so I wonder if the delivery would have been different had I been allowed to use the pool. I'll keep that in mind for next time (if and when that happens!).

Hope your assignment is getting there

pupuce · 22/01/2004 12:47

One of my mum's was told : you can't use it you are not 5 cm (she was 4!) - she asked for an epidural instead and ended in section! SHe is now aiming for a VBAC and has been told she can't abour in pool (but in bath!)?

I have had 2 other (TOS- trial of scar) mothers denied water (one had the OK from the consultant in the notes....) because they were high risk.

And then I had a woman who was induced with 2mg of prostin and SHE was allowed in the pool (then again she was a GP and a close friend to the on-call regsitrar!).

Persnnally I had 2 labour in water and they were fab! It was very gentle and warm (even if very painful). I found being in the pool ensure I had more privacy and I felt much more at ease - also veruy light, I squatted for ages which I am sure would have been impossible outside of the pool. Getting out for a VE was NOT my idea of fun on the other hand.... also I delivered the placenta standing up the MW who was present now delivers placenta in the pool.... much more civil!

Good luck with the assignement

Original poster

mears · 23/01/2004 00:22

The asignment is in My last inclusion was Marina. Thank you so much for your post. For those of you intereseted in the groupB strep situation there was a woman today who used the pool for pain relief who had strepB. She just had her antibiotics via a cannula in her hand. No need for an actual drip. It can be done

OP posts:

Original poster

mears · 26/01/2004 12:37

Isn't this typical.... just published
here

OP posts:

Marina · 27/01/2004 13:58

I'd be interested to know if Dr Clouett is a medical doctor or the holder of a PhD in health studies of some sort, Mears! She sounds amazingly pro for a medic

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