How exposed am I during childbirth?

[Mrsstandard]

Hi,

How exposed could I be during a water birth? Will I even care because of pain?

You won't notice if you poo!

I threw DH out half way through (he was in a panic) first time round, and the midwives just stayed with me the whole time.

You can always ask your Dad to look away or even leave for a while if it gets too much. Most of the hard bit is fairly flesh free (unless you get hot and strip off). It's only the pushing bit where it can get a bit messy.

have you talked to your dp? he may really regret missing it/not playing some part

if he's certain he can't cope and you and your dad are happy then good luck to you

Not all births go according to your birth plan. Consider what you would like to happen for each possible scenario BUT ... Be prepared to go with the flow and change your mind last minute. I'm sure your dad will be worrying about the same issues as you are and so will stay at head height holding hands and offering you support. Good luck. You sound like you have a lovely relationship with your dad and that's to be cherished.

I had a lovely water birth and was naked, I had a bikini in my bag but never got around to putting it on. I was also so hot in labour that I didn't want anything on The midwife was an older lady, and very respectful and didn't mention my cellulite it was great anyway, meant my beautiful baby came out and immediately got skin on skin and my boob
Couldn't recommend it all enough. Good luck!

My OH and I were with one of our daughters when she had her baby. It was a military hospital and her husband was deployed.
I'm not really too sure how it happened exactly, I knew I'd be there, but they just sort of herded us both in and gave us a leg each to support! I don't know who was more surprised. But DD was in so much, erm, discomfort she didn't give a damn about who saw her fanjo.

A day or two later she asked him to help her latch the baby. I guess after the legs akimbo she didn't give a fuck about her breasts.

Two years later she has returned to her usual rather shy, reserved self. It didn't take two years, more like a week.

He was a very good birth partner. Calm, reassuring and kind.

I love that your dad will be there OP, it's a shame other posters have suggested it's wrong/odd!

Also, I think that's lovely your dad being there. I'm sure he's not going to be looking anyway except at your face, supporting you and then when buba arrives. Good on him being up for coming. If you are nervous of him seeing too much, take a bikini top.

I started off in a t shirt and bra whilst in the pool then felt too hot and uncomfortable so took off t shirt. I only put a t shirt and dressing gown back on as I was being transferred by ambulance to a hospital rather than the midwife led unit I was in. To be honest I couldn't have cared less what I was wearing by this point as I had been in labour for 50 hours and still had 2 to go!

Op everyone poo's. But like others have said you won't know or care. At that point you are about to meet your baby!

You honestly wont care... I had a hospital gown on, naked underneath, and it was completely open at the back.
Waters broke, meconium came out with them, i spent most of my labour walking around with my arse showing covered in waters/blood/thick stringy meconium....

I couldn't have cared less, the midwives are very discreet and respectful. They see it throughout every shift!

DH was with me, but stayed entirely at the head end and away from the business end .

I think it is lovely that you want your dad there and that he is happy to be there with you. There is no right or wrong, only what you are comfortable with and what you will find helpful/supportive on the day.
Equally I think much as it is usually lovely for the father of the baby to be there at their arrival, it should not be 'expected' and they should not be made to feel guilty if they don't want to be there.
Keep an open mind and accept that you might change your mind about all sorts of things. As might your DP….
I think being prepared for various scenarios so you have a choice, is a good idea: have a bikini/crop top, an oversize t-shirt/short nightie or anything else you fancy at the ready and then wear whatever feels right at the time.

Good luck, I hope all goes well when the time comes.
You will so not care who sees what at the time…

I think its lovely that your dad will support you. My mum died when I was young so my mil came in with me and exh. She and the midwife were both at the business end and she saw everything. It was never awkward, either during or after.

If you are worried the go with the bikin/tankink top but don't worry about it. You will just be relieved that its over and the baby is safe and your dad will be in awe of how brave and strong his daughter is and how lucky he is to witness his dgc arrive.

I think it's lovely you want your dad there, wear a nightie take a spare or 2 just incase you decide not to stay in the water, chances are your dad has seen it all before and If he didn't want to see he would be top end for support or politely let you know he didn't want to attend. Xx

Just a tip - a couple of the soft bras at poundworld maybe good for you as they are quite big and comfy think sport crop top unless your bosom is enormous!! they come in black white and nude!! My thinking is you could get a few in case you are in and out of the pool and they get soggy. I didnt have waterbirths and i had an oversized tee shirt nightie that covered the necessary bits until the necessary bits needed to be in the limelight As others say when you are in full swing of labour you won't care who sees what!! As the guy who stitched me after my episiotomy said "Don't worry love, its just the faces we remember!"

Thanks again. No longer worried about nudity, more like pooing and a 50 hour labour.

When are you due? Come back and let us know your birth story when your little one arrives. When you give birth something wonderful happens and you find the strength to make the right decisions in a highly emotional state. Try not to worry, you sound like you have the right support and that will make all the difference. Congratulations.

Thanks I am due in mid-May. I will let you know how I managed.

Fwiw, Mrsstandard, I enjoyed all my labours and deliveries (x4, each one v different).
Trust your body and those who look after you, stay open to changes in whatever plans you've made and hopefully you'll have a healthy baby by the end of it and a positive birth story to tell .

Wrt to poo, DH told my just recently that I'd pooed towards the end of pushing DS1 out. DS1 just turned 11… I decided that after 11 years it was not worth getting embarrassed about it now .

Nobody had breathed a word about it at the time btw...

Why not wear a loose tankini top or best top of you feel uncomfortable, it'll help you to feel relaxed and less exposed. Xx