If you're not having a water birth...

[Algebraic]

What are your reasons?

I don't have many friends with children but everyone I know who does (bar 1) has had a water birth.

I'm booked into my MLU to have one but there's only two pool rooms and I'm selfishly hoping they're not as popular as I think The other two rooms are rather pokey with no baths and no space to walk around, so really don't want to end up with one of them!

I laboured in the water last time (didn't birth in it though) - the pain relief was amazing. The water needs to be body temperature, it's not like a bath, but it's certainly not 'cold'! More like a 'swim' maybe? (although warmer than your average swimming pool!)

Also, your hospital / MLU might have waterproof monitoring meaning you can be continually monitored while in the water. Not all do, but worth asking.

I had high blood pressure and other problems so I got induced and water birth was ruled out, I remember being in early labour and all I wanted was to be in a bath, I was gutted.

Dc1 - because I had Group B Strep a d didnt fight hard enough.

Dc2 - has the strep, had the permission for the pool, had the baby 20 mins in so no time!

I wouldn't have another (I started out in the water but ended up in a delivery room with forceps). I found the water really irritating! I absolutely love baths, but for some reason the pool just made me feel icky and annoyed.

Thanks all that's very interesting.

I love baths and they bring me a lot of comfort physically and emotionally so that's why I'm booked for one. So far no complications so I'm on track to go ahead with it.

I did consider home birth but unfortunately my flat is not that relaxing due to terrible soundproofing. So not only would I hear all the neighbours and their terrible music, they'd also hear me screaming

Perhaps I will change my mind during
labour but I'd at least like the option of the nice big room room with double bed and birth pool.

I loved the water with dd1, was in it from start to finish! Definitely not cold, and they kept topping up the warm when the temperature dropped.

Really wanted dd2 in the pool too but her heart rate was dropping so was hoisted out and gave birth on dry land!

I was tempted to have one but I saw it on obem and they woudnt let her put hot water in it. They told her it has to be cold. I can't stand cold baths so its a no for me

This is definitely wrong!! (Grr, can't stand obem). The water should be at body temp for delivery so that the baby is delivered into as similar an environment as they've just been in as possible. the water most definitely should be warm.
It is more like a hot tub than a bath because of the size and shape. I had low lighting and my DH trained the hose of hot water onto my back in contractions, that was the closest I could get to water jets! 😄

Water birth temperature is definitely not cold. There are strict temps it should be at (around 37 degrees), especially in 2nd stage labour so the pool is not too cold for the baby.

I'd love to have one

At my hospital they really try and push you for a water birth but I like the idea of an epidural too much.

I wanted a birthing pool but unfortunately they were all taken. Think my hospital has 4 pool rooms.

Pregnant again and wanted to try for one this time but having read the other posters about it being cold, grubby and making you feel yack, maybe I'll stick with the bed!

I labored in the water twice and delivered in it once. The first was dry land and the second in the pool. I highly recommend labouring in the pool when you feel it's getting a bit much, it makes a massive difference.

I'll not deliver in the pool with this one as the midwife can't support the head when the baby crowns meaning that between the last two contractions the baby can wriggle and shuffle and cheerily rip you to shreds. My first was tear free and my second I was a mess of stitching.

But in fairness most people are fine!

I laboured in a pool with DS1 and it was amazing! The water was definitely warm though - 37.5 is much warmer than a swimming pool for instance.
However I needed an epidural so didn't birth in the water.

DS2 I got to a point where I knew I wanted an epidural so didn't get in the pool.

DC3 I am planning on a CLU birth with all the drugs.

mctush lots of midwifes practice hands off so even on dry land they may not support baby's head when it crowns. And there's no evidence to say that is a cause of perineal trauma. Although I can completely understand you wanting to birth on dry land because of your experiences.

I initially had a water birth. The pain got too much and I had to get out. (You are only allowed gas and air in the pool).

I wanted an epidural so I had to get out. I can imagine the pool would be great if you are finding the pain more manageable than I did. It was pretty soothing to start with and you can just float in it.

I was induced both times so not allowed. I would have liked one the second time as I had been in a warm pool at 38 weeks and it was bloody lovely.

I'd love one but I'm epileptic so I doubt I'd be able to have one.

I want to be able to walk around.

Also, I don't consider myself to be anything close to your average Earth Mother and I don't know how to explain this very well but AFAIK women don't experience some overwhelming biological urge to find water to give birth in.

But mostly it's about getting into a big tub of water that other people have pissed, shat and bled into. I know they are cleaned but so is my toilet.

Before going into labour I was quite vocal about a birthing pool being absolutely gross. Sitting in your own muck not to mention how clean are they really? BUT during labour it was mentioned as a pain relief option and I agreed to try it ... I loved it and did not want to get out ever! But they had to haul me out at the end as baby's heart rate was dropping. I gave birth on the floor between the pool & the bed ... Joys. But now I'm all about labouring in the birthing pool.

I had two home births and the thought of filling the pool up and trying to keep it the right temperature just seemed like more faff than I could be bothered with! I think if id been in the MLU I'd have liked a water birth, but then I think ivlikw the ideal more than the practicalities. I loved being snuggled up on the bed with mine right after they'd been born

I was told at my hospital that the MLU was usually quiet and had empty rooms, there were five rooms up there, four of those had pools. When I went into labour though I was lucky to get on it, as labour ward was full and only one room left on MLU.

Temperature wise, I found it too warm, I get hot and bothered when in pain and as I couldn't have it any cooler I decided to get out in between pushes.

They told me that a lot of women would plan MLU, but then either had to be induced, requested pain relief like epidurals or experienced complications.

I had to be induced and by the time I got onto the delivery ward I was 7cm dilated and in a lot of pain as I'd had no pain relief. Gas and air made me feel awful so they asked if I wanted to get in the pool to help. I originally wanted the pool on the MLU but because I was induced I was considered "highly risk" but they were happy with me and offered it. I didn't want to actually give birth in the pool but it definitely helped with the pain in the warm water and ease to move around. They even gave me an ice lolly. However it wasn't eaten as I had other things going on to think about it haha. I stayed in the pool until I asked for pethadine (which I wouldn't recommend- horrible stuff) I had to get out as it makes you dozey. About an hour or 2 later my son was born