is it worth trying for a water birth again?

[ithoughtofitfirst]

I just wondered if people fancied sharing their water birth stories with me please?

I had one last time but I honestly can't really remember it because I'd not slept for about a week cause of stop start contractions and I think I just kind of went into the zone. I woke up a bit when I was fully dilated and then remember pushing and that's about it.

Did anyone use music or essential oils or anything like that to make an 'experience' of it?

With DC1, I thought I'd love water and hired a birth pool for home, but in the end, didn't like it very much at all.

It wasn't an option with DC2 or DC3, but I'd be happy to think about it again.

With DC1, I tried gas and air for a bit and didn't like it but I thought it was wonderful with DC3, so it might be different this time with DC4 and water too!

I loved my 2nd waterbirth. Dd1 I was in the pool 5cm onwards but had to get out in the end for theatre/spinal/forceps. with Dd2 tried the pool again and despite asking for an epidural between contractions, I am really happy with how it went. Much more alert than I was 1st time round.

remember looking at the clock and seeing it was 4am, and thinking dd2 will be here soon, she popped out 2 min later. Was even alert enough to make a joke after her head was out about the worst part being done now.

We had candles (after dh spotted them in the room and joked about candlelit birth lovely midwife got them going). No special music just local radio (I remember some Phil Collins...)

I would definitely do it again if I have no 3, but I suppose ultimately how good your experience is depends on baby cooperating, and you can't control that.

Thanks ladies. Interesting that you had such different experiences dino

Radio and candles. Interesting. I honestly didn't even think about music. I think I need to brief DH for this birth just in case I go into 'the zone' again. Just about little things that will be pleasant.