VBAC in birthing pool

[phantomhairpuller]

Anyone got any experience of a successful VBAC in the water? I posted this morning about VBAC vs ELCS and since seeing consultant today have decided to go with VBAC. But I've always found the idea of birthing pool very appealing. Consultant said its definitely an option but I just wondered if anyone had any experiences to share?

Hi, I had a VBAC. I laboured in birthing pool, but ended up giving birth on dry land standing up, as my contractions stalled for a bit and the midwife asked me to get out and walk around. I loved the birthing centre and the pool. I didn't have any pain relief at all, even though ds was nearly 11lb! I had a fab midwife, she just let me get on with it. No internal examinations, no continuous fetal monitoring, etc etc. I'm amazed your consultant is "allowing" it though, I had to sign myself off consultant care and sign a disclaimer to be allowed to use the birthing centre and pool.

Yeah they've mentioned me having to sign some kind of disclaimer! What does it involve exactly? They were fairly sketchy with details today

No such thing as 'allow' and I'm also fairly sure that those disclaimers have very little legal bearing - I know that disclaimers signed for home births have none

I had DS3 and 4 as VBAC waterbirths. Very supportive MWs and they took care of me. Monitored every 20 inutes in the water but I delivered both in the water. Pain relief from the water was great and just lovely experiences compared to VBAC with DS2 which was not in water and chaotic. Go fo it.

Fliss I know, that's why I used inverted commas!

It's so good to hear such positive water vbac stories!! I don't suppose any of these experiences happened in the Essex area?

Ds2 & 3 were both VBAC's born at home in water. Both were amazing experiences.

The pain relief from the warm water is indescribable.

Good luck :-)

sorry to hijack, but how did people get the midwives/consultants to agree to a home VBAC? i am 25 wks with DC3 (one VB, one ELCS) and have already been told that i am high risk due to previous section and my age and so there is zero chance of a home birth and any VBAC in hospital i would be on CTG (and not necessarily wirelessly) for the whole labour.

I know (think?) that if i really decided to dig my heels in, they would need to provide attendance at a home birth for me and im still waiting to see what position this baby is in before i take it further. but any tips would be great

No on can tell you how and where to give birth. Essentially your decision is final. It's your body and your choice to make based on all the information available. If you don't want cfm, or a cannula cited 'just in case' firmly tell them no. A friend of mine did and at the end of the day they must respect your wishes - weather they agree or not. Perhaps speak to an independent midwife (even if nit hiring one, ones Ive spoken to are only too keen to tell you where to find current and up to date evidence based research) they are enormously helpful people with very refreshing, positive attitudes towards normal birth after c section.

What Teatime said. Consultants and MW can only offer information on risks and explain the Trusts guidelines. You can birth your baby wherever you like and in whatever manner you like.

I would have a look at this site which has lots of useful information on it, also AIMS website is good too.

You don't get them to agree. That's not necessary, and it doesn't have to be a battle to get one.

You tell them that is what you're planning, you write to the Supervisor if Midwives to let her know you will require support and hopefully they will then work with you to help you plan a safe and well-prepared home VBAC.

The Yahoo! HBAC/VBAC group might be helpful, as well as the Yahoo! Homebirth group