Water birth

[loretta95]

Hi, due to have my first baby in May and really wanting a water birth can anybody give me advice or tell me what it was like? Thanks

Had one with DD2, both were busy for dD1. Bloody loved it, but was only in it about an hour and a half as Labour was v quick.

Gentle distraction of being in warm water, was able to have my gas and air and kneel on all 4s holding onto the side.

They appeared to be checking progress with some kind of mirror (I seem to recall).

But, what freaked me out was that her head was born, and I had to keep still and her under water till the rest of her was born on next contraction. Was freaking out she’d drown, but obvs she’d been in water all this time so they keep them under till they are fully born!!

I’d highly recommend if you can, but most hosps only have a few pools so don’t get set on it in case you can’t get in!!!!!!

I had one with my fourth baby and it was by far the best Labour and birth I've had. If I had to choose one birth to do over again it would be that one. It was so relaxing and peaceful, and I actually found it much less painful, even though she was my biggest baby. Would 10/10 recommend.

I had a third degree tear with my water birth and 7lb 4oz baby. I’ve since had mixed reactions from midwives when pregnant with number two as to whether it makes you more or less likely to tear. As far as pain relief went, it did work well though.

I’ve never had a baby but I’ve only heard good things about water births

I’ve had 2 water births and laboured in the water but gave birth on dry land with my 3rd.

I would 100% recommend it! And if you don’t like it you can always just get out, so there is no downside really! The relief when you get in the water is amazing.

I had no other pain relief for 2/3 births. Had a bit of gas and air with the 3rd.

I can't recommend it highly enough. Mine was very similar to @Rodent01 's experience - 2 hours in the pool, knelt on all fours holding on to side, and just gas and air for the last 40 mins or so. I had a first degree tear, no stitching.

I keep telling everyone how unbelievable it was! The moment I went in the warm water instantly soothed and calmed me. I felt comfortable to go in 'the zone' - it was just a quiet room, the pool, the midwife and my husband. It was the opposite of my first labour, which was excruciating (he was back to back I think), in a shared ward, with a drip that didn't work plus an epidural.

Agree with above though, don't have your heart set on it as pools are limited and you never know how your labour will go - there are many scenarios where a pool will not be suitable. E.g. you can't go in if you have to be hooked up to the monitor or if baby's heart rate slows. In my case the midwife came and put a basic listening device on me every 20 mins or so to check the baby's heartbeat was all fine, and pretty much just sat in the corner the rest of the time to leave me to it.

Oh, also - I was very nervous reading about all the 'poo fishing' stories, and in the end you do end up naked in a pool with bits of red pink and brown bits floating about... it is NOT pretty, but you get out pretty quick!

Gutted I couldn't have one as both pools were broken... So I spent most of my labour in the bath.

I have only heard good things about water births and am keeping everything crossed I can have one

With both of my births I was in the pool (after I got to the hospital) for most of the time, but on each occasion I was asked to get out as it seems I am crap at pushing babies out! So each time I’d been pushing for ages and eventually got out of the pool.

First time ended in an episiotomy and ventouse delivery. Second time, after a variety of contortions in the birthing pool room, I had a sheet wrapped around me and was made to shuffle down a corridor back to a standard delivery room, where I was given an episiotomy with no anaesthetic (OUCH!) and eventually did manage to push out a rather large baby. I can still remember the shock of being cut, but not the actual pain.

Despite not actually managing to deliver in water either time, I found being in the pool (along with the gas and air) so incredibly helpful. Second time it was actually incredibly relaxed and lovely. Me, my husband and the midwife were doing jolly banter and everything felt so bearable with the combo of water and G&A.

So, I’d highly recommend giving it a go, but don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t result in an actual water birth. If it does, great. If not, it can still be a great tool to help with labour.

Good luck

It can be great but don't get your heart set on it (as with anything in your birth plan). From my group of friends, everyone liked the idea of a water birth but very few managed to have one for various reasons e.g. not enough time, needed to be monitored, pool not available, wanted to have other pain relief, EMCS etc.

Loved my water birth with ds2! Was so calm and relaxing, I only needed gas and air for the last half an hour!

I just felt in control, the midwife encouraged me to trust in my body... just loved it!

I had water births with both babies. Dd1 was born in a bath as the pool was in use. This was a longer birth because I couldn't change positions.
DD2 was in the pool. It was a lot more comfortable and I was able to move around loads.
I dont remember noticing bits of red and brown all over the pool or feeling like it was disgusting. Both births were perfect for me.
If I was to have anymore children I would definitely want water births if possible.

If you are wanting one make sure and say to your midwife as soon as you go into the hospital when in labour. They can then prep it if available etc...

I had planned a water birth with #1 but didn't manage due to complications which ended in an EMCS - I spent most of my labour in the bath beforehand though and even managed to fall asleep as it instantly eased my contractions!

Had first 2 in water, with the third one there wasn’t time to fill the pool (home birth) so born on the sofa. Getting in the water is such a relief, somehow it really did ease the pain. Husband had to fish out lots of little poos with a sieve (one every other contraction or so!!). So that was a bit gross but otherwise it was great!

It was nice to be able to float around in between contractions, but I found the water too warm and about an hour into pushing I got out, was much happier on dry land hugging a giant beanbag with a fan on me. I also vomited a lot which wasn’t nice having that in the water. Everyone’s different though, and I am definitely in the minority :)

Watching with interest... I'm due my first in at the start of March and have been really interested in the prospect of a water birth. I have heard so many good things about it... so hoping I find it as good as some of you have described!

Following with interest due to give birth in June and aiming for a water birth x

Both my births were home water births and I 100% recommend it. I found it great for pain relief and enjoyed 'catching' both babies as they emerged. I think the water helped with tearing, on both occasions I only grazed despite the first being 9lb 2oz and back to back.

@loretta95 did you get your water birth? X

@mrssunshinexxx unfortunately not, they though I had pre eclampsia so had to go to the labour ward and ended up having a forcep delivery

@loretta95 oh no. Did you have preeclampsia?
I'm being watched to this due to both my sisters having it but touch wood all looking ok so far 37 weeks today.

How was the delivery

@mrssunshinexxx I'm not to sure tbh they though I did because the protein was really high in my wee and my blood pressure was really high, my birth was quite dramatic tbh as I asked for a epidural but before they could put the medicine in I needed to push but i struggled to push her out so they had to get the doctors in to do a forcep delivery. Hoping your sister has a nice easy delivery

@loretta95 it's me that's due :)
Oh no that doesn't sound so fun but I'm glad she's here and you are both safe and well