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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

waterbirth

55 replies

Bibiboo · 29/07/2004 16:34

Is this the same as using a pool for a while and can I do that at my hospital or would I have to hire a pool? am I being silly?

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zebra · 29/07/2004 16:47

You can just labour in water, don't have to give birth there. That's how I did it, I think being in water was the most effective pain relief I had, but I couldn't position myself properly in the water so got out for the actual birth.

motherinferior · 29/07/2004 19:11

BBB, your hospital may have a pool or it may not (mine, weirdly, has one but it isn't plumbed in). If it has one - and the pool is free - you can labour in it. And indeed deliver (some hospitals are a bit weird about 'letting' you deliver in water).

If you want to guarantee a pool, I think you would have to hire one and take it in. The one I hired for my second birth was from Splashdown, and was inflatable - you're not supposed to use it for first labours but you might want a chat with them about it (I rang to ask because in fact it's not recommended for second births after long first labours, and boy was my first one long).

I think they're fab. Didn't know whether I'd want to deliver in water or not, but in practice I got in, pushed three times and dd2 shot out like a champagne cork.

motherinferior · 29/07/2004 19:12

PS don't know about the logistics of taking it in, though, that was a home birth.

Slinky · 29/07/2004 19:15

The hospital where DS1 was born had a birthpool which happened to be free at the time. I had no plans to use a birthing pool, but just fancied having a nice warm bath as I had back-ache.

Like Motherinferior, once in - it was fab, although I only ended up being in the pool for about 15 mins as DS1 decided to put in an appearance then

motherinferior · 29/07/2004 19:23

My notes say I was in for EIGHT minutes. Averages out at about £20 a minute. And worth every sodding penny

princesspeahead · 29/07/2004 20:04

used this with my third birth (at home). cut the pain in half immediately, gave birth in there (like MI had an open mind about it when I went in but once in I wasn't going to get out!) and it was all over very fast. much less painful than my previous two hospital births with epidural amazingly enough! (no one believes me when I say this and I would have thought anyone who said that was a loony before experiencing it myself, hey ho)

Blu · 29/07/2004 21:22

I used an inflatable Splashdown pool for my first, v long, labour - I didn't know it wasn't recommended for first labours, MI - why not?

Bibiboo, I think you need to discuss this with your MW's as they will know the availability of pools at your hospital, and whether you can take in your own.

I would definately recommend it for labour.

WideWebWitch · 29/07/2004 21:36

I had a pool at home for my second too (first born at home too but we couldn't hire a pool as it was a third floor flat) and thought it was great. It's wonderful for buoyancy since I felt soooo big and heavy and it really was relaxing to sit in it before I went into labour. I spent quite a while (about 2 hours, something like that) in it but didn't give birth in it. I found it really helpful and comforting during labour though.

highlander · 29/07/2004 21:50

I know 2 friends who had waterbirths at home and they loved it.

Funny, they both said it gave the DHs a serious job to do as well, so they really felt involved - I think both were in the pools with mum (apparently as well as running about with thermometers, pumps etc - all the usual male gadgety stuff )

motherinferior · 30/07/2004 13:39

Blu, think it's not recommended for long/first labours as it can, I suppose, start giving way if leant on too long. But as I say, the woman I spoke to was pretty laid-back particularly when she found out what a shortarse I am.

Heathcliffscathy · 30/07/2004 14:04

if you're london based i'd recommend hiring a pool for having at home: £250 for the top of the range one that stays heated and that you only have to change the water in once a week, we used it before i went into labour loads and loads: only place i was truly comfortable when i was that pregnant...i laboured in it (it was a long labour) and whilst i did end up for the very end in hospital i'm absolutely sure that without the pool no way would i have lasted so long at home and that ds would have ended up a c-section for sure...highly highly recommended!

bicbic · 02/08/2004 21:50

I laboured in the pool at hospital(I hoped and prayed for months that it would be available for me to use)
I wanted to deliver in water but my waters didnt break until the last minute when I got out of the pool.
Id recommend using a pool to everyone.Ill never give birth without one again!(well hopefully not!)

morrisminor · 22/09/2004 23:26

I intended on having a waterbirth with my 1st though was unable to due to meconium. I did however succeed with my 2nd, it was an absolutely amazing experience! It was in the hospital in a temp pool and I delivered in the pool too, it was truly amazing and extremely quick!

Dingle · 22/09/2004 23:33

Used the pool at the hospital with ds,labour was becoming very intense, got out to deliver.
With dd, just as well it was already being used, they wouldn't even have filled it half way before she was born.
Someone told me the other day that you now had to visit the hospital and book the birthing pool!! "Oh yes, I 'm definately going into labour at 3'oclock on Monday!" HOW?

SueW · 22/09/2004 23:44

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

karo · 17/10/2004 11:17

anyone ever used a pool-in-a-box pool ( the inflatable one)? would love to hear comments. thanks

redshoes · 17/10/2004 17:37

How different is it to labour in a birthing pool as opposed to a big bath?

bonym · 17/10/2004 19:34

I'm also really interested to hear if anyone's used an inflatable pool and what they thought of it - are the sides "solid" enough to lean heavily on for example? They also seem smaller than the rigid type and as I'm tall I'm concerned they won't be as comfortable.

SueW · 17/10/2004 20:10

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

redshoes · 18/10/2004 10:39

Suew thanks for that - I have always laboured in the bath at home before going to hospital where I have twice been denied the pool, so am considering if it's worth hiring one or using the bath then getting out to deliver...those inflatable pools are lovely and cheap but I personally have a mental block about sitting in a 'paddling pool' - better perhaps without those fish!

AmyM · 08/11/2004 15:22

I have just joined... I am expecting my 3rd baby in May and plan on having him/her at home using water. My second was born in water and it was so fabulous I decided to start hiring more affordable pools bc I thought they were too expensive. Now my husband and I both hire pools and sell paddling pools suitable for birth (this is my declaration of interest, but I'm joining as a mother-to-be!) Hello all!
Amy

bonym · 09/11/2004 14:13

I have just come across this inflatable pool which looks to be better than the birth pool in a box (no fish! - having compared sizes it seems to be very similar dimensions to most of the ones available to hire.

bonym · 09/11/2004 14:15

Hmm - didn't work - try this

redshoes · 09/11/2004 14:29

wow - how much more dignified without the fish! Can feel a purchase coming on..

redshoes · 10/11/2004 09:39

they are out of stock until early december

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