Waterbirth

[Sleepyquest]

After being told about all the many options of birthing and pain relief at our antenatal classes, I feel that water birth might be a good fit for me.

Can you please let me know what your water birth was like and if you would recommend it?

My main motivations are due to not wanting to have extreme pain relief if possible and trying to minimise the risk of tearing.

Mine was fab and I'd def recommend it. I kneeled forward, leaning on the edge, and then turned around to push. I didn't have any pain relief or tearing

I had a water birth, still used gas and air (but only a bit) and had a 2nd degree tear stitched by a surgeon because it was almost third degree.

The water was lovely though. I was on my knees leaning my arms on the edge and it definitely relaxed me when I got in.

I laboured in a water bath and had a bit of gas and air. I found the water very soothing and was a very relaxing experience. Unfortunately two hours in I had to get out due to complications and ended up birthing on my back, still only with gas and air.

Hey
I started in the water and loved it. Managed with gas and air, just about! I had to get out towards the end as things were progressing slowly so I didn't end up giving birth in the water. If I had a choice again I would opt for a water birth. Not sure if it's true but the midwives said because it progressed quite slow it's probably the reason I didn't tear but they might have just been saying that!
xx

I was in the water for most of my labour at the hospital and I absolutely loved it! I knew I wanted to use water as a form of pain relief as I can get quite bad stomach cramps from time to time and every time I get them I have a warm bath and it's the only thing to relieve the pain.

I did try gas and air but it made me feel really sick so I only tried it twice and then just carried on breathing through the pain of the contractions, without pain relief for most of it.

I then got out the water to go for a wee and at that point I was 8cm and just ended up getting on the bed. I'll definitely be requesting the water again with my second as it really did help to relax me

I liked it until it got near the birth and the midwife heated up the water and it got too hot but was still actually the lower side of acceptable for baby.

It was amazing. The warm water was definitely a form of pain relief and was enough with gas and air to get me through. My belly felt weightless and it was such a calm environment to give birth in. I'd recommend it 100%.

My water birth with DC2 was so lovely.

I wasn't in the pool long (used a TENS machine up to the point that I got in) I got in around the point of transition and was basically in it for pushing and delivery (approx 20 minutes) but it was utterly wonderful. Very calm, very warm and relaxing. I felt supported and gave birth on my knees, which felt perfectly natural. Highly recommended!

I used tens up to 7cm, then water up to delivery. I loved it! So relaxing and really good pain relief. I was on my knees with head resting on the edge. The only downside was I did feel very hot in there. I had the student midwife draping cold flannels over my neck though which helped loads! I still had a second degree tear, mostly because I delivered his head very fast I think, but I didn't notice at all at the time.

Me too! I felt a bit dizzy. They got me a fan!

Quote fail, that was in response to The only downside was I did feel very hot in there.

My water birth was amazing. Laboured overnight at home & went to hospital around 8am at 5cm. Got straight in the pool as soon as it was filled & didn't move from there (except for a couple of wee's) until she was born at 4.15pm. I gave birth kneeling & was so so much better than my first baby who was born lying on a bed. Had so much gas & air that I'm sure it was only psychologically helping me by the end!! Totally personal preference but a water birth really worked for me.

I wanted two, wasn't allowed either time, so be prepared for that

Going to jump on to follow this post - first baby due 1st January and seriously considering a water birth!

I also had a fan as the water has to be a higher temp than I find comfortable

I had to get out an hour into the pushing stage as it was too warm for me, I didn't find that it relieved the pain in anyway, but it was nice to float around between contractions and feel a little weightless. Otherwise it wasn't my cup of tea, I was so much happier hugging a giant bean bag on the floor with a fan on me. I was only in the pool for around 90 mins, was 5cm when I got in and within an hour I was pushing, so maybe it wasn't going to help at that point.

I've had 2 water births, although I'm not quite sure the second really counts.

I suffered a 3rd degree tear for both, first time was due to speed of birth and pushing too hard, too fast (first timer panic pushing) and second was pure bad luck as midwives said he delivered slowly and controlled.

I found that the water instantly soothed me. First time I was in the pool for around 50mins and used gas and air, second time (2 weeks ago) things were so fast that I was only in the pool for about 2 minutes before ds arrived. I had no time for pain relief, but dh said as soon as I hit the water you could see me change and my body relax as I became more in control.

I arrived at the hospital fully dilated and the pool plus gas and air was instant relief. I wasn’t in the pool for long as my son was born in the pool quite quickly after that and I was lucky to have no tearing.

I lay in the bath at home for each of my labours in the early stages which really helped. Then drove (was driven ) to midwife-led centre at hospital and got in the pool again. First baby (big head) was delivered out of pool (I just couldn't get him out and needed to change position, extra help) but second and third babies were delivered in the pool (third still in the caul!).

I think the water helps immensely and made me feel much calmer. I only had gas and air as well, didn't tear for any of them. Definitely try water if you can.

@greathat why were you not allowed were they taken or did your chosen hospital just not supply them?

I loved my water birth, was so calm. Honestly it was incredible! Loved it! Dh rubbed my back, I used hypnobirthing techniques and only needed gas and air towards the very end!

@Hey1256 there was complications with both which meant one was induced on the drip and the other they broke my waters. Both of which meant I didn't get my water birth. Literally my birth plan both times was no epidural and a water birth. I've never had an epidural so I got that bit

Thank you everyone
Are you saying the water has to be a certain temp as I'm not very good with hot baths although it will be November so not warm outside?

I don’t like very hot baths and the pool was absolutely fine for me. It’s hard to say how you will feel when you are in labour however. the midwives sorted out the temperature so I have no idea what it was supposed to be

Water birth for my first child at home. Fab no tears or complications.