tell me about water birth

[PizPizPiz]

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?

Wow, so glad I've read this thread. Has made me feel even happier about my decision to have a water birth at home.

Really ready for baby to make an appearance now

I used the birthing pool from around 4cm's with dd and although I got out after around 8 hours (contractions stopped at 9cm's so sytocin was needed) I loved being in it.

BUT.................... When I decided to do the same with ds's labour 18 months later I was in for a huge shock..!! After being in for 30 mins I wanted out. The pain was even worse and I felt like the water was an added pressure iykwim.
BUT ds was "back to back" so tbh nothing helped...g&a,diamorphine,epidural..nothing touched the sides.

Be prepared though that like all forms of pain relief some can and some can't be as effective. Each birth and labour is different so just keep your options open. I was prepared with dd's birth to have whatever pain relief I needed but didn't..same with ds's labour...I defo needed it the 2nd time lol.!!

You can get in once in established labour (4cm's I think)and temp is kep at around body temp 37 degrees but obviously this can be altered slightly if you need it. I found having the hose (that filled the pool) pointed on my back with dd as the relief was amazing. Student mw was shocked and was sure she was going to burn me..!!

Good luck x

BTW with both births I tore. Even though most of dd's labour was spent in water..MW says that if you are going to tear is usually due to the mother and not always due to water etc..She said that mums with stretch marks usually tore unlike those without . Not sure how true BUT in my case it was..!!

Had a home waterbirth with DD (3rd baby). Absolutely fabulous. Got a 2nd degree tear though so don't bank on not tearing. Not sure it did much for the pain but the bouyancy and privacy provided by the ater was fantastic. DD was born underwater znd I also delivered the placenta in the pool too. All mess nicely contained.