Has anyone had a waterbirth and how was it for you?

[bhs652]

Really looking into a waterbirth if feasible - just wondering what others experiences have been like, good and bad. Thank you! :-) x

I've had two.
One was delivered on the bed and the other I caught in the pool.
I highly recommend them to anyone.
Event if you're not to sure about the pool the room I had to as amazing!
It was so spacious and had an amazing en suite.

Me. My second and third were born in birth pools. They were by far the best and least painful births out of my four children.

Sadly couldn’t have one with my last baby, and I was so disappointed.

My second was a waterbirth- not intended though, the midwives just didn’t want to tell me I was too far gone when I got to the hospital so DS was born within 15 mins of me rocking up. I didn’t hate it, was less messy and a bit “smoother” than DD born the year before, in that I had no tearing or blood loss.

Pregnant with #3 now and would do it again but doubt I’ll get a real choice given how quick my labours are lol

My second was water birth. Beautiful relaxing experience from start to finish. Midwives kept the lights low, we were high up in the building so had the large window open, early morning just as the sun came up. Pushed my son out and there was no rush to cut the cord or get out, I was given towels to keep him warm during this time.
My third should have been the same but waters popped just as I was feeling urge to push and had meconium in.
Definitely recommend water birth if you can!

I didn't have a water birth but spent a lot of my labour in the tub. It was amazing, so peaceful and relaxing, I just lay there with my partner pouring water down my back. I'm having twins this time and water-birth is a definite no go, very disappointed! It was amazing pain relief and felt very soothing. X

Yes, at home. It was brilliant.

i was dying to get in the birthing pool- within 1 minute I wanted to get the hell out. The lack of control i felt in the pain was made worse by the feeling of water and floating. I wanted a firm bed to push against.
My point is you just dont know what you will like/ work best for you: worth a try though

It was amazing. I had a very very long labour but as soon as I was allowed in the pool (had to get to 4cm) I relaxed massively and got to 10cm in just a few hours (after hours and hours and days of early labour!). I'll definitely be having one again (at home next time hopefully!).

I had a water birth, and I would recommend it to anyone!

The birthing pool was lovely and warm, in a large private room with low lighting, it was all very calm.

I was very concerned about "being on show" and having a water birth made me feel like I could retain a little bit of privacy.

If you wanted them, there were iPod docks for music, projectors to play videos of flowers opening to apparently help with dilation, etc.

They won't make you stay in either. If you get there and don't like it there will be a bed for you. I was in and out constantly with my son before settling on the bed.

I had one with my son. He ended up being born very qui know so I didn't get the full experience. Due to a tear, I had to get out of the pool quickly (I needed to be stitched up, plus was fainting due to low blood pressure) so I was soaking, freezing and dealing with all that. That's just my experience. Due again in 2 weeks, I may use it for pain relief but not for the birth.

Third time lucky. It was wonderful. Gave birth in the pool.

My second was a water birth. So calming which I think did wonders for my labour. Can't recommend them enough

Yep, home birth in a hired birthing pool. Laboured and delivered in the water. Managed to do it with no other pain relief, it was great.

Very jealous. I really wanted one but wasn't allowed with either of mine, too high risk :(

Bloody marvellous. Three home births. All in water. I can still remember how wonderfully soothing it was.

Yes, lovely, even tho I only managed to hop in just as my waters went and the pushing started!!! Far better than my previous pushing experience on a bed.

The water relaxed me too much and my contractions slowed down and faded. This happened with both births after several hours in the pool. As soon as i got out my contractions returned stronger and 20 mins later they were out.

I had one, the instant pain relief was amazing. Before I got in the water I was panicking saying I wouldn't be able to do it, demanding and epidural, as soon as I slid into the water I soon calmed down, gave birth in the water 2 hours later. I would recommend anyone to give it a try xx

These stories are so lovely to read as I’m planning for a water birth.

Not for me, It was ok for floating around for the minute or two between contractions, but the water made me too warm and I had to get out part way through the pushing stage. I then hugged a giant bean bag with a fan on me, like someone else said, It was better having something firmer to grip and push against.

I had my ds (dc2) 3 weeks ago in a birth pool at mlu and loved it. Although I was only in it for 20 mins as my birth was very quick, it relieved a lot of the pain and the pushing felt a lot more soothing. Plus as pp has mentioned, the experience afterwards is lovely too. Towel to wrap around you and baby, delayed cord clamping, and a lot less mess.

I have had 3 births, my second was a water birth and by far the best one. It was a lovely a beautiful experience and I was terribly disappointed when I wasn’t able to have one with my third.

Amazing & i feel it was less stressful for baby too. My babies head kept going in & out I think if I wasn’t in water he would have got stressed but his heart rate didn’t change. It as so relaxing & it felt natural x

My second was a water birth and I loved it. It was brilliant being supported by the water and it was the first time in months that I could move easily again without heaving my massive self about awkwardly. I loved being the one to lift him to the surface of the water and cuddle him first too.