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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

anyone who had a waterbirth, would you do it again?

19 replies

greedygreedyguzzler · 12/07/2007 12:54

i had a waterbirth last time with my dd. i laboured and pushed her out in the water.

i was really unwell at the time with gastroenteritis and i think this may have clouded my view on the whole waterbirth experience! i was so shattered between contractions that i kept slumping into the water and my dh had to drag me back up.

is it as bad as i remember, or was it just cos i was unwell and any labour would have been bad?

i only needed about 3 pushes i remember that being good......and i didn't tear!

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ib · 12/07/2007 13:03

I would definitely do it again - would be quite gutted if I coildn't for some reason

Original poster

greedygreedyguzzler · 12/07/2007 17:21

anyone else

OP posts:

Littlefish · 12/07/2007 17:22

I can't imagine giving birth any other way. It was amazing. In fact, if I ever have another child, I'm planning to have a water birth at home, just so I can guarantee that I get a water birth.

TranquilaManana · 12/07/2007 17:24

i wouldnt (and no doubt irrationally feel i couldnt) do it any other way!

all 3 births in the water.

all 3 out fairly quickly, no complications, no tearing...found the freedom of movement an absolute miracle.

am fairly sure id have been drugged to the eyeballs without it.

but i can totally see how feeling too weak to stay above water might take the shine off it!

GreatGooglyMoogly · 12/07/2007 17:27

I have had two waterbirths (no other pain relief) and, like ib, I wouldn't do it any other way. I had to get out of the water during my second labour as everything had slowed down and the pain was excruciating until I got back in again.

I think you must just have been unwell last time. Good Luck!

Pebblemum · 12/07/2007 21:42

I had my first water birth 7wks ago and it was definately a lot better than my two previous 'normal' births.

I was in agony this time around and although the water didnt seem to ease the pain things seemed to progress a lot quicker. What I found strange was being allowed to follow my body's lead and push when I felt the need without having to be examined first. It was a lot better doing it that way though and the final stage only lasted a couple of minutes. I was then allowed to cuddle my dd in the water for as long as i wanted I even got to bath in it instead of having to walk to the shower room (they did clean it out first lol)

If i was mad enough to do it all again (which im not lol) then I would opt for a waterbirth again.

rarrie · 12/07/2007 23:03

Definitely not! I had a normal birth with DD1, just gas and air and survived that okay. With DD2, I had a waterbirth. This was a back to back labour, so the pain was very intensive, but the water did help me to cope with that a lot. But, I sufferred a third degree tear and have had extensive problems since. My midwife friend thinks that the waterbirth may have been a contributing factor to the tear - she says that in a normal delivery, they can hold your bits in place, and help prevent the tearing, whereas a water birth they are not allowed to touch you, so they can't support that area, and what's more because they can't see so well (or at least my midwife couldn't) she couldn't give me clear directions about when to push and when to stop etc... If I had a third (which I'm not) its doubtful whether I'd even get a vaginal birth (due to the complications...) but I certainly wouldn't be allowed a water birth as the risks are too high, and I'm still suffering the consequences almost 8 months on.
It is a shame, because I did feel at the time as though being in the water helped, but knowing the fact that it significantly contributed to the problems I've had since, I don't think I could recommend it. Sorry, hope I've not been too pessimistic... but I on;y opted for a waterbirth as I wanted to prevent tearing, I only wish someone had told me all of this beforehand... hindsight is a wonderful thing!

rubles · 13/07/2007 09:40

greedygreedyguzzler, it does sound like the gastro bug was probably clouding your opinions somewhat - that sounds dreadful to be feeling so sick AND have to go through labour, you poor thing!

When I thought that for this baby coming I was not going to be able to have a waterbirth due to being in a different house, it really stressed me out, I had insomnia and I realised that that was one thing in labour that I really couldn't compromise on. A pool it like my safety net and my psychological comfort blanket, I think.

Sazisi · 13/07/2007 15:31

I had a water birth last time (my third) and found it a bit easier, and just all round better, somehow

I'm not having any more, but if i was I'd opt for a water birth again

mears · 13/07/2007 15:42

rarrie - unfortunately what your midwife has told you is incorrect with regard to waterbirth and third degree tears. The water itself provides the support for your perineum when pushing. Being on dry land with a midwife supporting the perineum has not been shown to be any more effective at preventing tears. In fact,a trial a few years ago called 'The Hoop Trial' found that women had less pain following delivery if midwives adopted a 'hands off' approach compared to hands on. One of the ways to reduce the risk of a reat is to gently push as your body desires, not when told to by the midwife. Also not pushing as the head emerges reduces tearing.

In my unit, women who have previous third degree tears can use the pool. It all depends hwo well it has healed after delivery and whether there are on going problems as to whether you need a CS or can have a vaginal birth.

I am sorry you experienced the birth that you did and hope that things get better soon. I just wanted to highlight to others reading that waterbirth does not increase your risk or third degree tears.

cheritongirl · 14/07/2007 21:53

i had my first LO in water last year and would definitely want any future births to be in water too, somehow being splashed on the back whist pushing him out made it bearable! Poor you ggg, well done for having a WB at all when you were so ill !

Hathor · 14/07/2007 21:57

yes if I was having another dc

Miaou · 14/07/2007 22:04

I would love to have another waterbirth (had one with ds) - unfortunately my now local hospital doesn't have a pool. I really do think that your gastroenteritis coloured your experience and it would have been vile however you laboured/delivered. I had gastro etc when I went into labour with dd2 (reckon that's what started me off) and it was awful, feeling so ill and being in labour - I had an epidural in the end.

I didn't tear with ds (having had episiotomy with dd1 and tore with dd2) and was told by the m/w that being in water was a great contribution to me not tearing - ds came out with his hand up by his head - had I been on dry land they said I would have almost certainly torn.

mixedmama · 17/07/2007 11:09

I wanted to have a waterbirth last time, but my midwife put me in too early (at 4 cm) well my DH thinks it was too early (Mears can you tell me if this is too early) I hadnt actually moved from 4 cm for about 2 hours. Plus I was addicted to the gas and air and couldnt bear to be in any other position than all fours cos then I wouldnt have easy access and then just wanted to get out. But, I am definitely going to give the water another shot if it is available.

halogen · 19/07/2007 20:33

I really wanted to have a waterbirth but things went too quickly and the pool wasn't filled when I was ready to push. My friend who had one loved it.

lulumama · 19/07/2007 20:37

michel odent, who introduced the concept of waterbirth advocates not getting in the pool until you are 5 cm dilated.....

PotterCandles · 19/07/2007 20:39

Oh yes yes yes yes yes.

Can you tell it was good for me?

I never made it to the birthing pool for my first two (first one was too slwo, and second one had arrived before they'd finished cleaning the pool from the previous mum), but just got in by the skin of my teeth with no3. He was born about 15mins after I got into the pool!

I didn't enjoy the brief labouring I did in the pool, but that was probably because the hospital pool was shallower than the one I had 'trialed' at home, and also because I went into transition almost straight away. But the 2nd stage was fantastic. The easiest of my 3 birthings.

I would definitely do it again. (But won't .)

I'm sure the gastro would have made any labour awful for you. I'm surprised you weren't given a foam noodle to help support you in the water. Try it again next time - after all, you can always get out if you don't like it.

roisin · 19/07/2007 20:44

I had my 2nd and 3rd labours and deliveries in birthing pool, and it was fab for me.

I felt far more in control in the pool with hands-off midwives.

I definitely have no plans to have any more children, but would heartily recommend water births to anyone who is medically suitable.

TheDuchessOfFawkesBride · 19/07/2007 20:54

I was very tired in the water with my first (big birthing pool at midwife-led unit).

2nd was better (big corner bath at midwife-led unit).

3rd was even better (my own bath at home)

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