For all first time pregnant mums (and others) - WATERproof

[mears]

Just published - more information about the power of water for pain relief in labour
here

For me that is one of the problems - women who are sore being denied to the pool because they are not dilated enough and told to go into the bath. Woman equates the bath with the pool which is different. You don't get the buoyancy in the bath. Nor can you adopt any other positions. Women did not feel the benefit of water in the bath so then decided not to go into the pool once it was 'allowd'. That used to happen when we wouldn't let women in the pool till they were at least 5cm dilated at our unit. They often then asked for diamorphine or epidural. Now they can get in the pool when they are requesting pain relief, whatever dilatation they are. For some it doesn't help - for many it works well.

That's interesting as that's exactly what happened. Now you've made me think - maybe it's still worth a try next time...

Mears - to many midwives are not interested in pools and so do not inform the mums correctly and it leaves women with inaccuarte information to base their decisions on

As you ahve once said.... why is it that getting an epidural is "never" a problem but asking for a pool often is !!! Which of the two is riskier? Both require proper MW monitoring anyway....

Interesting that the midwives didn't want you to have gas and air and water at the same time, Distracted. Did they say why? I had gas and air just before I got in the pool, and continued with it while I was in the water until the second stage, when they took it away. (Only about 45 minutes I think.) I did get a bit woozy from it and toppled over slightly once, but I don't think I was at risk of drowning! Is there another reason not to have them at the same time?

You can have gas and air in the pool or bath.

I think I might have benefited from the pool when I was between 3-8 cm. but they wouldn't let me get in until I was 8. By the time I was allowed in I was tense, exhausted and it was all too much. It is a shame that water isn't allowed before that point.

How odd Pupuce. My contractions slowed down when I got to the midwifery unit because I was so happy to finally get there and to be surrounded by helpful happy mw. So when I relax my contractions slow down. When I got in the water, although the contractions were exactly the same in strength they felt stronger because I had lost my coping mechanism. But the contractions did slow down because in between contractions I was relaxed. ? Even more confused now!
Oh and when I was int he pool everyone (two midwives, a student mw, my mil and a very unhelpful h) started gawping at me as if any minute the baby would pop out. Is this an expectation mw's have that babies should just shoot out once you get in the water? That was another reason why I got out- suddenly I could feel all 3 mw's eyes on me waiting for their text book, ultra fast, natural birth to happen, and I knew it was no where near.
Perhaps thats something that mw's should definatley keep an eye on. They should keep themselves in check making sure that they aren't putting too much pressure on women.
It is very interesting to hear how everyone copes with their pain. Not everyone is affected in the same way by pain relief and not everyone has the same coping strategies.

Bekki - You should read Michel Odent's books as it would probably explain what you experienced.... the more people around (the more noise/disruption/light) will impact your labour negatively.... you need to be left "alone" (i.e undisturbed but knowing you will be supported when you want to) to labour....

I will definatley take a look thanks Pupuce. You have mentioned this book before, saying that in part agrred with my dh's view on childbirth.

He has written many books.... maybe wait for his next one in April - I know it will cover that topic.

Ruth21 - I was allowed to have gas and air in the pool, but they didn't want me to have it beforehand. Something about if I used the pool they would want me to start without gas and air so that there would still be something in hand to add later!

Actually thinking about it...I was left alone for 80% of my labour, just me and my mil and I'm sure dh was there sleeping somewhere. But it was so wonderful, and peaceful. My contractions were quite regular at that point and then I was put in a pool and stared at (maybe a safety regulation?) and thats when they slowed down. So on reflection you were correct Pupuce. Fear slows down contractions. Is it neccessary for mw's to be there watching you when you're in the pool? If so I won't bother next time.
My step sister is contemplating a water birth and I don't want to put her off the idea, but she does want to hear my view. So I really want as much information as possible to show her.

It is not necessary (I certainly have been - as a doula - left without a MW in a water labour)... the key word is "watching".... feeling observed or judged is again not condusive to labour....
A MW can be present but she should not make her presence felt!

got to go now - will look on Mumsnet tonight again.