Water birth and active birth?

[Rollermum]

I have been planning an active birth and went to Lazy Daisy classes. I am wondering if the positions and techniques are compatible with a water birth? Not sure how deep the water will be - don't want to drown self doing hip rotations!

Anyone have any experience of these together? Water birth appeals because supports weight and sense of privacy but also don't like the idea of just sitting there.

Hi Rollermum, I have no experience of either of these but would say IMO its not worth spending too much time worrying about these things. Nothing ever goes to plan. I had planned to use a birthing pool with DS1 and to be active for as much as possible but in fact due to a problem I spent my 23 hour labour laying on my back hooked up to all sorts of machines completely unable to move anywhere. As I had so looked forward to a natural water birth I felt a bit dissappointed in the end, so this time I have vowed not to plan anything and to just see how things go....

Hello I've had a water birth and I've had an active normal delivery...what would you like to know?

I had a hospital water birth and it was an egg shaped bath filled bath when I sat in it it came up to the top of my chest I'm around 5ft9 I delivered kneeling in the water and would say the water came to the top of my bump....out of my two labours the water was my preference but was fortunate to have no complications with either...more privacy with water as the water ripples give a bit more privacy!!

I can't say I ever just sat there whilst labouring, be it on dry land or in water!

The positions that felt comfortable on dry land could also be mimicked in the water. On all fours, on my knees, a deep squat etc.

You also feel more agile in the water, your bump doesn't feel so cumbersome.

I had an active labour & got in the pool once fully established, agree with others that you move around in the water anyway and I've always reached pushing stage quickly whilst in the water (3 times so far!)

Thanks everyone! Very helpful :)

I'm not necessarily wedded to these ideas but thinking about my preferences at this stage. I know most birth plans go out the window but no harm in thinking it through.

I found out is only one birthing pool at this hospital - had heard a lot more, so adjusting expectations!

There was only one pool at my Hosp and it just so happened it was free...always good to plan and you might strike it lucky!! Second time round we missed out on the pool as it needed cleaning but it was free just late at night so nobody was free to clean it!!

The only way to guarantee a pool is to hire one for your home -- this is quite feasible though, as hospitals generally don't want you in until as late as possible. I planned a home birth (had to transfer to hospital in the end) but the pool was very useful in the early and middle stages. They're not that deep.