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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

tell me about water birth

29 replies

PizPizPiz · 22/05/2007 16:00

I told my mw I'd like to have one. But I've never actually seen one well enough to imagine what it feels like to be giving birth in it. My first was delivered the classic way. I'm getting a bit concerned as a friend of mine told me it was not very comfy, she couldn't hold herself very well and ended getting out of it. And ... is the water hot or cold?

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Elasticwoman · 22/05/2007 16:11

I've had 2 waterbirths and highly recommend it, if you like being in water. The water is warm and helps to you to relax in between contractions. The temperature can be controlled by the mw adding hot or cold water. A possible problem is if the water level gets too high for you to sit down. This happened to me with dd2 and I gave birth standing up - but as I was only in the water about 45 mins it didn't matter v much. You don't get into the water until you're well advanced in labour, and you always have the option of getting out again if you don't like it or get tired of it. I used TENS until it was time to get into the water. It's ok to use entonox in the water, but with my last waterbirth I didn't need it.

Have also had "dry" birth and definitely prefer the water.

cathcart · 22/05/2007 16:11

i didn't end up having dd in the pool, but i would highly recommend the use of it anyway as it was excellent for relaxation and pain relief!

the water is kept nice and warm for baby and you too so it also helps if you have back pain which is common.

I also ended up getting out after about 2hours as i needed antibiotics through canula, but i think I would have got out anyway as I couldn't support myself very well to push!

I waited until I was 9cm dilated before getting into the pool which ensured that I really felt the benefit of it. When I got init was amazing - I felt so comfortable and calmed that i smiled through the next hour of contractions - go for it!

RanToTheHills · 22/05/2007 16:18

it's wonderful, if you find water comforting, if you have a large & sturdy enough pool. Personally would never go for an inflatable as wouldn't feel safe in it.
Heartily recommend wb, you create yr own space in there, no-one else can come in!
The water's warm, body temp.

Original poster

PizPizPiz · 22/05/2007 16:33

Thanks all . I'll go for it and take things as they come. I used a bath very briefly for dd1 and it was bliss so it's a good sign already.

OP posts:

zazas · 22/05/2007 22:33

I had a water birth recently for no 3 and it was absolutely heavenly I enjoyed the weightlessness that I felt as soon as I got in, the privacy that it gave me (I felt all cocooned in it), I loved putting my face really close to the water during the contractions - it calmed me and seemed to let me focus (hard to explain that bit ). I was on all 4's during a contaction and sat back on my knees on the padded floor to rest inbetween - very comfortable. I delivered the baby also on all 4's - I really felt that the water enabled me to 'open' up and it was absolutely wonderful to be able to reach down and feel her head and then bring her up into my arms myself. Then it was lovely to sit there together in the warm water and baby gaze! Go for it!

PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt · 22/05/2007 22:35

Do go for it. Water is at 38 degrees max (feels like lovely warm bath water temp) but you can obviously have it cooler if you want to. My big thing was my bump feeling too heavy and wanting to take the weight off me during a contraction - the water was brilliant for this. I did have to get out as everything was too slow at one point and I must say - the sensation was very different then! I take my hat off to anyone who gives birth on dry land!!!!! My DD crowned in the water and all I had was a stretching sensation - no pain. It was just me and her in the water then and I scooped her up and essentially did everything myself. Incredibly empowering. I managed the whole thing without any pain relief at all - no G&A, nothing and it was totally manageable. Your DP can get in too if you want to or it can be just you - you can get in and out as you want to etc. Once the head is crowning, you have to stay where you are as any change in temperature will make your LO start to breathe - i.e. if you crown out of the water, you have to stay our of the water.

NappiesGalore · 22/05/2007 22:37

had 3 water births.
cant imagine doing it any other way
am v surprised to hear yr frind felt uncomfortable... but i guess its horses for courses!
i found it gave me fantastic freedom of movement.
the bouyancy was wonderfully soothing
as was the lovely warm temp (mw's make sure it is maintained at the right temp)
and the water softened things up down there so i never tore either. well, only a little on the third but he was born in about 5 minutes so not bad going really. no stitches, like.

i cant recommend enough. seriously.

NappiesGalore · 22/05/2007 22:39

was almost disapointed with last one as wanted to large it as centre of attention for longer, swishing about and making it all look terribly difficult but all in a days work, coz i am ROCK 'ard.... lol.

PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt · 22/05/2007 22:40

no drugs and no damage for me either.

PrincessButtercup · 22/05/2007 22:43

Echoing all that has been said. Yes, do go for it. I was in water for most of my labour but had to get out for final stage (night delivery and only one waterbirth qualified midwife was on duty; 2 are required in case of difficulties).

The water was just right (temp). It also helped massively with getting through contractions. I swim a lot and felt it very helpful to stick my head under the water and blow out really hard, as when swimming, to deal with the pain - odd but brilliant! I am also positive that having been in the water for an hour or so before giving birth played a major part in my being able to give birth to a 9Ib10oz baby naturally without a single tear!

Do it!

morocco · 22/05/2007 22:44

best bit is you can always just get out if you don't like it, not like with pethidine/epidurals etc where you're pretty much stuck with it whether you like it or not.
I found it comfy and it did reduce pain a lot but I felt like i wasn't getting anywhere fast with the contractions. that could just have been the kind of birth it was always going to be though, a lot of stop starting, anterior lip etc
i'd definitely use it again - go for it

NappiesGalore · 22/05/2007 22:47

id have liked to have seen them TRY to get me out for the final bit! qualified mw or no, id have gone NOWHERE!
lol

dont fuck with a labouring woman.

PrincessButtercup · 22/05/2007 22:50

lol! I was actually v keen to get out because I thought I was about to cr*p myself

NappiesGalore · 22/05/2007 22:53

ew.
snigger.
ew.
snigger.

yes. apparently i did that. they have a net or sieve or something, and fish it out pronto 'afore it gets in anyones way, like. what a job, that is.

PrincessButtercup · 22/05/2007 23:01

Hope that hasn't put you off PPP? Just telling it like it is!

bigmouthstrikesagain · 22/05/2007 23:05

had a homebirth 'on land' last year but laboured in birthpool (inflatable) for about an hour which was heavenly only other painrelief was tens machine which does sweet fa imo. Didn't have any drugs and the water really helped get me relaxed before the final push iykwim! I birthed on all fours biting dh's knee...

another good thing about birthpool is that it gives partner something important to do - blow up and fill pool and keep it at right temp etc.

good luck whatever happens

Elasticwoman · 23/05/2007 10:36

Re pooing in the birthing pool: yes it happens but by the time you get in the water, your bowel is likely to be nigh on empty. You are just as likely to poo on "dry land" and the mw should have a pooper-scooper handy (if the hospital hasn't spent all its money on expensive drugs and anaesthetists.)

Nappiesgalore, I thought you were talking to me at first! (E.W.)

gingerone · 23/05/2007 10:44

re pooing, my DH was laughing his head off at the poo in the pool. We had a sieve handy to get hold of it and empty it.

Be under no illusions, the water is very filthy, but it all your own filth IYKWIM so it is OK.

Had DS in a pool, the single best experience of my life. MW told me to get in when I was ready and I hopped into the bath of bliss (that's what it felt like anyway). DS was born and I lifted him out of the water for his first breath whilst still attached - I agree with the poster about empowering. Unbelievable!

Good luck, I recommend it.

cheritongirl · 23/05/2007 11:33

yeah go for it, had my first LO at home in a pool a few months ago, and it was a good as birth can be i think, even after epic 27 hour labour! Found water helped so much and he does love swimming now!
I have to say that i don't remember it being filthy (i didn't poo) but we have photos and the water does look really horrible. TBH you will prob be so elated it really doesn't matter.
Oh yeah i had to get out to deliver placenta, not sure if thats normal or not. All the best

mezzer · 23/05/2007 21:20

Birthing pools are wonderful! It really helped me relax and go with the flow of the contractions. The MWs were even commenting that I was remarkably calm. I didn't actually give birth in the pool though as I had been in labour for 39 hours (well, technically only 6hours on official counts from dilation but the contractions had been going full throttle for 30+hours so that counts for me!) and MW said it might speed things up if I were standing. Needless to stay, I stood leaning over the bed and dd arrived shortly thereafter. Kinda wish I had stayed in the pool but at the time, just wanted it to be over.

I HIGHLY recommend them.

Original poster

PizPizPiz · 23/05/2007 21:39

PrincessButtercup - takes more than poo to scare me .
Thanks for all the replies. I'm thinking how fantastic it would be if I could lift the baby myself once the head's out . ooooh, I can't wait to give birth now

OP posts:

PrettyCandles · 23/05/2007 21:48

My third was a waterbirth, which I'd wanted for the first two as well. I'm so glad I got one in the end - it was absolutely the best birthing experience of the three.

The water was hotter than I expected, which felt wonderfully soothing. I couldn't get comfortable during contractions, but that may be because I got in just before or maybe even during transition, so wouldnt have been comfy in any case.

But the second stage was amazing - truely and utterly amazing. The water supported me enoug that I could take up the position that felt good (kneeling with my body leaning forward and supporting myself with my hands on the edge of the pool). The pain relief was enough that I was not overwhelmed by the contractions, so was able to work with my body; I didn't push the baby out, but let my body do it. As a result I didn't need stitches despite ds2 beign a stonking 11lb.

The water was disgusting by the end: blood, poo and meconium. It was so filthy that dh couldn't see ds2 being born- the first sight either of us had of him was when the midwife brought his head above the water.

It was utterly wonderful.

cazzybabs · 23/05/2007 21:54

I have had both types of births. The poo in the water is a little embarrsing and the water is so hot - because it has to be for the baby, but I remeber having to get out for a while because it was so hot.

It is hard to say which was best as both births were different, but for number 3 am plainning a waterbirth again.

PrettyCandles · 24/05/2007 08:55

Until you reach the second stage, the water should be at a temperature that is comfortable for the mum. Once there is a chance that the baby may make its appearance in the water, then the water must be kept at body temp.

Elasticwoman · 24/05/2007 14:36

Prettycandles - no stitches at 11 lb;
me: no stitches at 10 lb 6 oz. Says it all for waterbirth.

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