How to go about arranging a water birth

[loretta95]

Still definitely wanting a water birth do I need to ask/request one when I see my midwife or just ask and have my fingers crossed when I get to the labour ward?
Thanks in advance

I know I had to put it on my birth plan and tell my midwife. I wasn't allowed one anyway due to GD they didn't let me.

Best to ask you midwife as I'm sure arrangements vary from place to place. At our hospital, when you phone labour ward to say you're in labour, you ask for it then. If the pool room is free AND an appropriately trained midwife is available, then you're good to go (assuming you're considered low risk enough for a water birth).

If you put it in your birth plan & also mention to your midwife this is the best chance of them knowing in advance.

When I turned up to the birth centre with my second they said 'we've seen you want to use the pool so we've started filling it' as I'd written it in my birth plan.

When you're in labour & you call to go in then it's definitely worth mentioning on the phone as well.

With my hospital it depends if they are free when you get there, put it in your birth plan and on arrival when I. Labour ask for one

Have you considered a home water birth? You are then guaranteed that the pool will be available.

I asked when I arrived. If a room with a pool was available, they were very happy for me to use it (and it was available both times).

Thanks for the info, spoke to my midwife and she said to just let them know when I ring when I'm in labour