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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

is it just me that doesn't like the idea of a waterbirth? would anyone here NOT repeat the experience?

56 replies

justonemorethread · 17/01/2016 14:51

I've done a search and all threads I have come across are positive and encouraging posters to do it.

I don't have strong feelings but just don't like the idea. I'm worried I won'tbe able to get out if needed. I'm worried the hot water will lower my blood pressure and make me feel weak, like I always feel after a hot bath.
Worried about swishing around in all manner of bodily fluids and baby not being monitored properly.
( my last labour I had irregular contractions and baby went in to distress so I was given oxygen)

Would love to get some balanced opinions and hear experiences, whether you enjoyed it or not!!

Midwife is very pro and encouraging me to strongly consider it.

OP posts:
Original poster
justonemorethread · 17/01/2016 14:51

Thanks!

OP posts:
KatyN · 17/01/2016 16:10

My first labour was stressful, my son was in distress and ended up being an emergency ventouse and spent a week in nicu.
Second time round lots of people suggested water birth, or hypnobirthing but I definitely wanted to be monitored all the way through to check my baby was happy. Just couldn't imagine being happy in the pool and not the level of mesicalisation I needed.
K

randomsabreuse · 17/01/2016 16:15

I don't find baths relaxing so the last thing I wanted was a water birth. Hot bath at home didn't help with "labour" either after I'd been sent home at 2cm. Came back about 2h later at 7cm including 15 minutes in the bath.

Have always preferred showers to baths so water birth really not appealing.

TreeSparrow · 17/01/2016 16:16

Baby IS monitored in the pool (just not continuously, it's normally every 15min they check the heart rate). You don't have to get out if you don't want to and you don't have to stay in if you don't want to. The water isn't hot. It's kept at blood temperature I think.

Original poster
justonemorethread · 17/01/2016 16:29

Thannks for replies. Sorry to hear about your first labour Katy. Sounds like you had similar worries to me for the second. Tree I understand in theory you can get put if you want to but I guess my previous labours I didn't move from the hospital bed so can't imagine being able to climb out of a tub if I suddenly needed extra medical attention.
Still trying to keep an open mind though as I will be going to a great birth centre with lots of birth pools so seems to be a missed opportunity

OP posts:
ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 17/01/2016 16:33

I loved the birth pool. Contracting was so painful and I was scared to move, but in the pool I was weightless and floating and it was so easy and effortless to move around and find comfy position.

Also, the water is not hit, only a smidge warmer than body temperature. You keep warm because you are working hard, if you were just having a normal bath you'd be freezing.

ShoeJunkie · 17/01/2016 16:34

I've had two water births.
Both times I didn't get out until it was time to deliver the placenta. The midwife had a waterproof heart monitor and what I can only describe as a large dentist mirror to keep an eye on things.
The water is warm rather than hot. The water seemed to make it easier to change position during labour.
I found that the whole experience felt much more 'private' being in the pool.

Smittenkitten2015 · 17/01/2016 16:41

I had a waterbirth and loved it. They monitored the baby's heartbeat every 15 minutes and checked me too. I stayed in the water for 8 hours, I found it helped with the pain tremendously. I would have gone crazy if they'd tried to take me out of there, thank God they didn't. I can't imagine having a baby on dry land now.

Georgeofthejungle · 17/01/2016 16:41

I'm 35 weeks with my first and just not fancying a water birth. I want to be able to move around and walk if I can/want to. I am taking my birth ball with me and hope to be able to bounce about on that.

I'm not sure why the water doesn't appeal but as a PP said, I'm not a big fan of baths either.

Luckystar1 · 17/01/2016 16:46

I hated the thought of a water birth and don't find baths relaxing or pain relieving.

I then had a WB (by luck really). I hope to have another when the time comes-it was as amazing as these things can be!

Loraline · 17/01/2016 16:50

I had a great experience for the reasons other have days but if you're not into it then don't do it. It's an option, to be rejected if it won't make you feel comfortable it relaxed. Whatever makes you feel secure and relaxed is the option for you.

Salmiak · 17/01/2016 17:03

With dd 1 I wanted a waterbirth, I got to 6 cm and midwife went to fill the pool. However 2 minutes later my waters broke and 10 minutes after that dd flew out. The pool didn't even have time to fill. It was a lovely, happy and easy first labour.

With ds I was offered the birthing pool, got to 5 cm and they went to fill the pool. Got in and sat around just chatting to dh and the midwife - my contractions tailed off a bit and were less strong. But then after 20 minutes my contractions came back, and ds swam out without me even realising I'd been pushing 10 minutes after that.... I think I was in a better birthing position in the water (squatting) so he just kind of dropped out

Both births were easy, I wouldn't have minded not having a water birth with ds as dd was born out of the water and it all went quickly and hassle free. Just do whatever makes you comfortable, if you don't want to get in a pool then don't - but see how you feel when labour starts

annandale · 17/01/2016 17:07

I love baths so it's not surprising that water was so amazing for me. I had TENS at the beginning, I don't think the gas and air was working so water was the only pain relief I had once I was past 3cm, and it was truly astounding at first. Gave me a bit of time to catch my breath which I badly needed as otherwise the whole thing was under 2 hours.

bigbadbarry · 17/01/2016 17:11

I've had three waterbirths and I cannot imagine how much more painful it must be not in the water! Getting in just feels amazing. It's not compulsory though! If you don't fancy it, don't do it.

BellaTheGymnast · 17/01/2016 17:14

I've wondered about how prolonged immersion in water affects how well tears can be stitched, does it make a difference, does anyone know?

MrsBungle · 17/01/2016 17:15

I really wanted a water birth with dc1. I duly got in the pool and immediately hated it! It didn't ease the pain for me at all. Then I was sick and was sitting with The sick floating all around me 😂 The midwife emptied it and started filling it back up again and I just said, no, I'll go back to the bed thanks! Nothing like I had imagined!

MoonHare · 17/01/2016 17:18

I never liked the idea either. All 3 of mine were born on dry land, 2 of them at home. It seemed to me at the time that the majority of home births are in a pool. My friend did it that way but it never appealed to me. Each to their own.

LibrariesGaveUsP0wer · 17/01/2016 17:20

I had a lovely waterbirth, but you don't fancy it, it's not compulsory!

The good thing about a pool is, if you get in and don't like it, you get out. Far easier to 'undo' than pethedine, etc Grin

DramaAlpaca · 17/01/2016 17:25

I was offered the pool when I went into hospital to have DC2 but turned it down. I prefer showers to baths & don't find baths relaxing so maybe that's why I instinctively said no to the pool. I had a home birth with DC3 & again didn't want a water birth.

bigbadbarry · 17/01/2016 17:30

Bella no idea what effect it has on stitches (maybe makes them easier to put in?) but I do know the chances of needing them are lower because the water makes it less likely that you will tear.

lanbro · 17/01/2016 17:31

Had my first in a pool, a lovely experience with no problems but was quite a quick birth so only in a couple of hours.

Tried for a waterbirth with my second but her heart rate was dropping so I was hoisted out and gave birth minutes later on a bed.

No one makes you do anything you don't want so it's not worth stressing about but I would recommend. It's easy to find a more comfortable position when floating!

bittapitta · 17/01/2016 17:32

I hate baths but I loved my water birth! Water is 37c so not hot at all. I couldn't physically stand up any more before getting in the water, and the water allowed me to move around and was very supportive. It's bigger than a bath so you stay active, move position a lot. I agree with a pp that it felt more private too- my bits were in the water! But why ask at all OP it's not compulsory, don't do it if it doesn't appeal.

WilLiAmHerschel · 17/01/2016 17:35

I spent most of my labour arguing with the midwife who was trying to make me go in the fricking water pool. Luckily my labour was very short. It makes me angy whenever I think back to it that my wishes were not being respected. Stick to your guns op. It's not for everyone.

TeaPleaseLouise · 17/01/2016 17:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

katienana · 17/01/2016 17:43

I loved it and the pain relief was amazing but I LOVE baths. If you don't like the idea of it chances are it won't help.

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