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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

thinking of a hospital birthing pool....any experiences please ??

23 replies

mieowcat · 21/08/2007 20:19

Hello!! im a first timer on here!
I am really thinking about using a birthing pool at hospital for my 1st baby (due in Feb).
i would be really keen to hear of anyones experiences, good or bad or any hints and tips??
thanks very much.
xxx

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

sfxmum · 21/08/2007 20:23

none but bumping for you

btw congratulations and welcome

WeaselMum · 21/08/2007 20:33

congratulations on your pregnancy mieowcat

My ds was born in a birthing pool in hospital. Although I have nothing to compare it too, I would describe it as a v good experience and will try for the same again if there is a next time. I found it easy to move around in the pool and it felt quite a private experience. I would say that the water didn't really give a great deal of pain relief for the contractions though. Using gas and air while in the pool worked quite well.

I didn't feel that "ring of fire" burning thing that you're supposed to get when the baby is crowning - I'm sure that was down to the water. Plus ds came out lovely and clean! The best thing though was probably the fact that a little while later the pool was cleaned up and filled with bubbles and I got to have a lovely bath while dp sat by holding ds. V nice!

pointydog · 21/08/2007 20:36

I used the hospital pool with dd2 although I didn't want to give birth in it, wanted it as pain relief option.

I was amazed at how effective it was as pain relief. I went into the pool when things were getting really pretty sore and I then had no pain for a full half hour. (Apparently it's quite important to go into the pool at the right time which is about 5 cm dilated - ask your mw about that).

AFter 45 mins I chose to come out as I wanted diamorphine for the pain but dd2 was born just an hour after that.

My friend used a pool for her third and gave birth in the pool (although that wasn't planned). She found it effectiv too.

Worth trying, I'd say.

SofiaAmes · 21/08/2007 20:41

I was planning on using hospital birthing pool, but something was wrong with the hospital's hot water and there was not enough pressure to fill the birthing pool before I gave birth!!

notnowbernard · 21/08/2007 20:41

Congratulations

Definitely give the pool a go. I had both dds in the pool, at hospital. Had uncomplicated (would say 'easy', but not sure any birth is easy, really!) and straightforward labours and deliveries (which were in the pool).

Used gas and air++. Great stuff

Did tear both times (and needed stitches), but as I have not given birth without tearing, I've nothing to compare this to. However, still wouldn't describe tearing/stitches as being problematic. Good luck !

Original poster

mieowcat · 21/08/2007 20:53

thanks all, i think i would like it as i really feel frightened about natural birth, not so much the pain but more the feelings i have around being on a bed, feeling vulnerable and scared. the pool appeals as it may feel less clinical? and more private, if hubby can join me too. i would really like to have the baby born in it too?

OP posts:

SuperMonkey · 21/08/2007 20:56

This doesn't quite answer the question, but..

I got through most of my labour (inadvertently) sat in the bath at home. I hadn't planned a home birth so I had to get out to go to hospital where ds was born half an hour after I arrived. I wished I didn't have to get out, it was really helping me to keep calm and deal with the contractions.

Next time round I would definitely plan for the birthing pool at hospital.

pregnantbabyelephant · 21/08/2007 20:58

mieow cat
greatings fellow cat lover x
im not sure youll want to hear my birth story i would prob scare me if i was a 1st time pregnant lady

but im so glad i was in the pool
by far the best thing about the birth go for it is what i say

congrats and good luck

pregnantbabyelephant · 21/08/2007 20:58

mieow cat
greatings fellow cat lover x
im not sure youll want to hear my birth story i would prob scare me if i was a 1st time pregnant lady

but im so glad i was in the pool
by far the best thing about the birth go for it is what i say

congrats and good luck

notnowbernard · 21/08/2007 21:01

I think it does feel less clinical, yes. And the midwife with dd1 pretty much left us to get on with it until the business end.

I didn't think I'd want to give birth in the pool, but as soon as I got in, I didn't want to get out. Both dds were born in the pool.

I'm not sure you'd want dh in with you, though...the pools are quite small. (And I have to say , it's a pretty mucky old process)

pointydog · 21/08/2007 21:03

AT my hospital, strictly no one else allowed in the pool.

notnowbernard · 21/08/2007 21:07

Floating turd, anyone?

cazzybabs · 21/08/2007 21:17

Oh the fishing of the turds out! I look back and cringe! Still have booked a pool for my home birth this time so more cringing I am sure.

DD2 was born in the pool at the hospital - it was nice and big. It got very hot at the end because I was doing so much physical effort. It has to be3 a certain temp so baby doesn't breath. I had to get out for a bit, but then got back in. I didn't tear (but then i didn't tear for dd1 not born in pool as it wasn't built then).

However, I would say don't set your heart on it because chances are either someone else will be in it or there will be some reason why you can't go in it.

EvangelinesMum · 21/08/2007 21:53

I had my dd in a hospital pool four months ago and whilst I have nothing to compare this to (she is our first) i felt infinitely better once I could get into the pool at 5 cms dilated. Was just squirming in pain on a hospital bed before that! Not nice. It was warm and relaxed, just me, dp and midwife with music in the background and gas and air! Not sure if G&A actually helped with pain relief but helped to regulate my breathing. Also had meptid injection (the only injection you can have with a waterbirth as far as I am aware). I did need an episiotomy and had a tear, probably because I actually had to get out of the pool to deliver - the topped up water looked a bit murky so they didnt want to risk delivering her in the water. However, I would still really recommend a waterbirth - I felt much better in the pool than on the bed at the start and at the end. Hope this helps a bit

gingeme · 21/08/2007 22:02

Congratulations on your pregnancy I had a water birth at hospital with ds3 and Im due with baby number 5 in Jan and I am going to have another water birth. Yes you feel alot more private as the water more or less covers everything. Very relaxing. I got in as soon as I was 5 cm dialated and it was fab. I als didnt feel the ring of fire as they call it and baby is so calm when it is born too which is just fantastic.

notnowbernard · 21/08/2007 22:04

yes, both my babies were really chilled-out at birth. DD1 didn't even cry!

gingeme · 21/08/2007 22:05

No my ds didnt until they gave him the vit k jab

nangnangnang · 22/08/2007 09:10

Mieowcat - not sure if anyone has mentioned this (I'm trying to keep DS at bay while MNing so haven't read all thread). It's worth checking hosp policy early - a friend was told that she was too late cos she hadn't asked for a waterbirth at her 12 week appt (as if any 1st timer would think of it at that stage!). My hospital had a 1st come 1st served policy so no amount of planning and persuasion would help if someone else had got there before you.

Hope you get what you want.

mixedmama · 22/08/2007 13:41

I used the pool for DS1. Pleased that i did. I did suddenyl get the urge to get out so I did. But am going to try to go for actually giving birth in there.

saythatagain · 22/08/2007 13:52

I had dd (now aged 3 1/2) in a pool - (birthing centre within a hopsital); agree with the poster who said it dodn't really bring a lot of pain relief but with the gas and air I sailed through it! It was a qick birth experience too - just over 1 hour from getting in the pool. I would do it again...if I were to have another .
Congratulation too!

Mellin · 22/08/2007 13:54

I used the pool for dd's birth last year and was so glad I did.

I wanted to give birth in the pool, so didn't get in until I was fully dilated. My hospital had a rule that you could either use the pool as pain relief during contractions OR for the birth (so you got in once fully dilated). I found this a bit strange, but check with your hospital to find out what their policy is.

I felt immediately better once getting into the pool, the water was nice and warm and it seemed to ease the pressure off my hips and lower back.

I would definitely have a water birth for number two (when and if it ever happens!)

OrmIrian · 22/08/2007 14:07

Well good luck! I wanted to have a water birth with my second and third. In fact that was the main reason I opted for hospital second time round. But I left it too late and by the time I got there I was more or less fully dilated and in transition. So no time! And the only room with a pool was being used by someone who didn't even want the bloody pool!!! Third time round there were minor complications that made it unfeasible. So talk to your MW about it and find out if there are any guarantees that you will get to use a pool when you actually need one.

mascarpone · 22/08/2007 14:23

Congrats! I used the birthing pool to have my 1st baby and felt it really helped. I thought the warm water definitely helped with the pain although I had gas&air too.

My hints would be 1) don't look at what is floating in the water with you (as others have said it's a messy business!) and 2) don't set your heart on it - you may not be able to use it if someone else is alreay in there for example.

Good luck!

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