Water Birth experience

[MsMiaWallace]

Hi,
I'm due in June with number 3.
I'm really hoping for a water birth this time (if current situation permits)

Can anyone share their experiences of their water birth with me?
Do you recommend? Also bad points appreciated.

Had one with DD2. Loved it. Was a quick labour - 4 hours from waters to born, the last hour and half in pool - had gas and air, pool was comforting.

Only thing to note is that when head is born, you have to keep them / your lower half under water till rest is born. I freaked that DD would drown under water but obvs they’ve been in water this whole time!!! I was a bit surprised so like to warn people!!!!!

I was all geared up for a water birth with DD1 but when it came to it I got out after ½ hour! It was too hot and I felt too restricted. Some people rave about it so hopefully it will work for you but keep an open mind if you find you don't like it.

Loved it and would highly recommend it. I've only got one child so nothing to compare it to but no ring of fire. I was only in the pool for the last couple of hours but it really did help.

Had one with dc2, loved it. As soon as I got in I felt more relaxed. It was very natural and the midwives basically left me to it, just giving me advice when I needed it. I've always found heat to be a good pain reliever and the water is really warm.

That said, the labour and birth had no complications and I only needed gas and air. If anything had gone wrong or I'd wanted drugs, I'd have had to get out.

Overall I'd say if you're like risk, I would definitely recommend it.

I had a home water birth with my second child and I would definitely recommend it. I had to get out of the pool a couple of times as things were slowing down (I don’t do fast births apparently ) and the immediate difference in pain when I was out of the water was astonishing.

I had one and would 100% want another if I can. My Labour was fast (for a first) at less than 8 hours from start to finish. All of my pain was in my back and the relief I got as soon as I got into the pool was immense. I instantly felt calmer and it felt so lovely to be in there. I was able to keep up the gas and air and the midwives would monitor baby after each contraction but this was done under the water so I didn’t have to move. My son was born when I’d been in the pool for about 25 minutes.
Best of luck for your birth! x

Oh I loved mine. Quite a long slow early labour. Then pool for 2 hours.
I was nackered and just breathed a sigh of relief when I got in. I was weightless. All my aches and pains went. Dimmed lights. Puffing on gas and air. Bliss. Nearly fell asleep.

Unlike a pp, I really like a hot bath so wanted more hot water top ups. Midwife said it had to stay below a certain temperature.

Anyway DS was born and swam to the surface. Oh it was wonderful.

Knew I wanted 2 children. As soon as DS1 was out, I said I can’t wait to do that again. I won’t tell you about that one tho. Very different experience.

I’d also recommend - a really peaceful, calm experience. That, alongside Hypnobirthing techniques meant that I actually enjoyed my labour. I really hope you’re able to have the pool and that it works well for you, best of luck!

Had both mine as water births and I highly recommend. Both went smoothly and I felt calm throughout.

I've had 2 waterbirths.
1st one was in a larger bath than your normal bath. I loved it and thought it was fab. Pushed for quite a long time and my arms were dead from hoisting myself up whilst pushing. I couldn't change positions in the bath so was on my back the whole time which isn't ideal position when pushing baby out, but we got there in the end.

Baby no;2 was a proper birthing pool and was amazing. It was perfect. You had room to move. The only advice I have is don't forget when using gas and air to keep the stuff out of water or you end up with a mouthful of water 🤣.

Loved water birthing and if we ever go again, I'd hope to do it the same way.

I had one at home.

Plus: no one went near me!

Minus: DH was very much not involved. Fine by me, really, but he may have felt on the sidelines. Didn't really help with the pain at all tbh. Lastly, it was too hot but they kept topping it up when it cooled, 'for baby'.

I probably wouldn't bother again tbh.

Hated mine, felt really restricted, midwives wouldn't get me out, kept fobbing me off.
When birth is imminent the water temperature has to be dropped to body temp, so you're then basically in a tepid pool that you've pood in.
Also, if you need stitched they can't be done for 2 hours after getting out of the pool, so you're just waiting for the inevitable pain.
Absolutely wouldn't want one again, found a birth out of the pool with a TENS machine much less painful and stressful personally.

I was in the pool for a bit and initially did help with the pain. However I got out for an examination and didn't get back in as found I was more comfy stood up and able to sort of pace around. No down sides particularly for me. Good to have it as an option but remember you don't have to stay in it and keep trying different positions and movements to see what helps.

My waterbirth was definitely my favourite out of my 4 births and I if we completely changed our minds and had another baby I’d plan to have a pool again.

We had actually planned a pool for baby 3 as well, but he came too fast to get it filled. So with 4 I made my OH get started as soon as contractions were noticeably in any kind of pattern even though they were still ages apart. Baby 4 didn’t arrive with quite as much of a rush though and was back to back like my 2nd - the pool made such a massive difference to how that felt. I could move my legs and hips really easily however felt comfortable even in the middle of a contraction - I was doing lots of swishing my legs up and ‘rolling’ my lower body in the water.

I liked it right at the top end of the safe temperature range so we did have to keep chucking another bucket of hot water in every 20 minutes or so.

Another one that didn't quite get on with it, it was ok for the first hour and a half, but as soon as I hit the pushing stage I was vomiting every time I got the urge to push, so that wasn't pleasant in the water and I found the water too warm, so they helped me out and I finished up hugging a giant beanbag on the floor with a fan on me, total bliss.... Well as bliss as it can be when you're pushing a baby out

It had been nice to kind of float around between contractions though

I had my little boy in jan must've spent 8 hours in total (had to get out mid way through because it slowed my contractions) in the pool which flew by. Didn't end up having my son in there due to other factors but it's the most relaxing lovely experience. I first got in at around 5:30am and got to see the sunrise out the window. Felt so calming would definitely recommend!

I had a water birth with dc2. Highly recommend it. I got to 7cm at home, went in to the hospital, straight into the birthing pool and he was born within half an hour. The warmth of the bath helped manage the pain and you could move around freely if you want. I just ended up kneeling over the edge hanging onto the gas and air! 34 weeks now with dc3 and hoping for a similar water birth experience

I had a water birth with my first 3 months ago. My labour escalated very quickly so I only just got in pretty much as soon as I needed to start pushing! I was just coming out of the transition (most painful) stage and honestly scoffed when they suggested getting in the pool as I thought it would do nothing...although it didn’t take the pain away I distinctly remember being surprised at just how much it took the edge off and helped me to relax through quite a long (1 hour) pushing stage.

I’d go for a water birth hands down for my second..hopefully get in a bit sooner next time! The reason I thought it wouldn’t help as before this the midwives put me in a bath and it really didn’t help but the water pool was different as it covers your belly, it really makes a difference..so don’t be put off if you find the bath a bit rubbish in earlier labour!

Also forgot to say another pro (depending on how you feel during labour) is that the water gives you some space / privacy. The midwives can’t interfere with you as much (unless obviously they need to) and I very much felt like I couldn’t stand to be touched by anyone, including husband, during labour! I’m usually very cuddly too haha..see how you feel though as you might decide you prefer being on land but I’d definitely give it a try

I bloody loved my water birth. My labour progressed pretty quickly and I went from a slightly panicked transition to the relief of getting in the pool and needing to push straight away. I felt so much better in the water. As others have said, it’s doesn’t take the pain away but it soothes and calms and takes the edge off not having to support you body wonderful. I was even able to laugh and joke in between contractions There were whispers from the midwives that I may have to get out as my son’s hard rate was being troublesome but I got him out in the next few pushes - no way was I getting out of that pool. I will be gutted it I don’t get another water birth this time.

Loved it but didn't get to spend much time in them.

With dd I got to hospital at 10am and got straight in the pool. She was out by 10:40am.
With ds we pulled up outside the hospital at 15:45, was taken in by the midwives, got straight in the pool (dh said as soon as I got in the water I calmed instantly as it was quite a rough journey in) and he arrived at 15:51.

I had a water birth in a MLU in London. It was a fantastic experience and I'd definitely recommend it.

Both my births have been very quick (first was so quick I didn't make it out of triage!) so with the second I went in as soon as I started contractions.

Everything panned out in my favor, as soon as I had been triaged and moved in to the birthing suite my labor kicked up a notch. I got straight in the pool and chuffed away on the gas and air. I also had done hypnobirthing and made a banging playlist which honestly helped so much.

Half an hour later my boy was born, all 9lbs of him, to Africa by Toto. I had to have stitches but luckily not as bad as my first born.

Like a PP said, my DP wasn't particularly 'involved' during my labour (not cos he's a pants boyfriend just I was pretty high on gas and air and I didn't really need him iyswim) but I think we were both okay with that. He was on hand by my side the whole time though with water etc and a good old hand squeeze come pushing time.

I really can't think of any negatives.. for me the water was massively soothing and pain relieving. I guess bear in mind that, certainly in my hospital, a birthing suite isn't always avaliable if there are limited rooms and of course if your labour is not deemed low risk for whatever reason.

Good luck!!

I used water for pain relief with my 4th. I was never really into the idea of birthing pools, and had delivered my previous 3 babies with only gas and air.
Number 4 was a home birth - because #3 was so quick he was nearly born on the side of the road.
We didn't realise that #4 was posterior. After about 2 hours in very painful and frustrating transition phase, my midwife suggested trying the bath and it. was. bliss. Immediate relief.
I did have them drain the bath just before ds was born though, there were a decent amount of body fluids in the water by then and I didn't want my baby born into it 😄
He was born about an hour later, sunny side up!