water birth, how does it work and is it worth it?

[wheniamqueen]

I was hoping for any advice on what actually happens with a water birth and if it really does help with pain etc. Any ideas?

I didn't actually give birth in the water (although I would have loved to!) but I got into the pool when I was nearly fully dilated and it was bliss, there was an almost instant relief from the warm water.

I felt so comfortable and also in control.

I would definitely recommend you giving a water birth a go if you can. Where I gave birth it was a bit hit or miss as to whether you could use the birthing pool.

didnt have waterbirth as ended up having 3 csections but with dd i used water for pain relief and it was amazing.try it.

You can use a pool just for labouring in or you can actually labour and deliver in the pool. Are you thinking of having a home birth? If you are in hospital for the birth, you may not get a water birth even if they have a pool available as there may not be a mw trained in water births on that day. Also some places will not let you deliver in the water.

Generally the rule is that you can get in when you are at least 5cm dilated (any earlier and it can slow things down apparently). I found it great as I was able to move about as I wanted. After every few contractions the mw listened to the baby's heartbeat with a handheld doppler, but otherwise she was very hands off and just let me breathe through contractions. You can use gas and air while in the pool. Some places will let you have Meptid as well (like pethidine but doesn't make you drowsy).

I wouldn't say it did much for the pain if I'm honest but it made me more comfortable and ds came out lovely and clean! I would definitely try for a water birth again if there is a next time.

I did end up giving birth in the pool, though I'm not sure that it helped with pain relief! The labour was progressing quite quickly so I was already in quite a lot of pain before I got in and then dd was born very quickly. I didn't use the gas & air because I foubd it too awkard once I was in there. But I was glad that I did give birth in there - it was a good experience. The funniest bit (in retrospect) was when dd was born, she shot out so quickly that the midwives couldn't gatch her for a bit . So she's a real water baby. Another good bit was that you get your post birth bath in the massive pool and your partnet & baby are there on the room too.

I didn't find the water an actual pain relief in the same way as pain killers - but it helped me get into a comfortable position between and during the contractions, which certainly helped me cope.

But the water has to be deep enough - the first pool I used wasn't deep enough and not very comfortable.

For my second birth, I had a deeper pool and it was great.

I felt a little insecure after the birth though - they gave me my baby and I asked them to take her away bacause I thought I was going to drop her!

Getting into the pool is something to aim for while you are in labour.

oh yes - the post birth bath in the pool is amazing - giant pool full of bubble bath - lovely!

They are FANTASTIC I've had them with both my boys and managed with no pain relief, not even g&a because the pool is so good!

With my first I got out to push, but my 2nd was born in the water

Definatly try it!

Definatley highly recommend water birth - Unfortunatley the birhting pool was at a midwife run unit and I had to be transferred to hopsital for emergency c section. The whole experience would have been horrific had I not have started out at a calm, unclinical room in a pool with gas and air. I mean giving birth is not pain free (for most of us!!) but I found it helped ease the contractions. My problem is npw trying to find somehere I could try a water birth next time bewcause of c section. it depends on where you live as to facilities but you are usually able to have a look around and meet midwives. There are also places that hire out pools for home birth. Without a doubt I would say it is the most amazing way to give birth

I found it helped a lot with pain relief, and for a while was getting in and out of the pool so could compare! I had dh in the pool with me, meant he could massage me which also helped with the pain relief. He also caught ds as he came out, which was pretty cool for him.

Hi there

I gave birth to both my boys in a birthing pool in my sittingroom (2.5 years apart!) it was a fantastic experience, the first time I had had a long pre-labour (Friday night to sunday morning)and when I was finally allowed to get in the water i was able to relax for the first time and all my muscles relaxed and I felt able to keep going and being able to move in any direction I wanted. I had a strange moment when I wanted my head under the water so DH bought my snorkel and mask in and I had about 10 minutes of being submerged which although strange was brilliant. When we got to the point when DS's head was about to appear it hurt ALOT and yet within a second of his head being out I was ok again and the midwife said with the next contraction I should lean forward and pull gently on his head, I did and he just flowed out into my arms for a cuddle it was fantastic.
With DS2 it was similar but much faster, got to 5 cm's in 2 hours from 5cm's to placenta delivery in 1 hour so 3 hours from start to finish.
Definately recommended.

Jen x

yes would def recommend it - don't have anything to compare it to as i had my first LO last year at home in water, but although my labour was flipping long and hard i found the water helped hugely, esp having it splashed on my back during pushing!
I also had G&A when pushing which was ACE!! But the water was very soothing for me..
i now take my ds to baby swimming and he often falls asleep (??!!) during the class which causes much amusement but we figure its maybe because he feels he is in his natural element... all the best to you

I had the option of labouring in the water at a Family Birth Centre, and was really looking forward to it, but when I got into the water I didn't really enjoy it. It didn't provide any pain relief for me, unfortunately. I loved the shower though (there was a huge one with two shower heads, lovely!) and I think it's great to have the choice. I would just say don't count on the water giving you too much pain relief, and you won't be dissapointed. You can always get out, anyway!