Water Birth?

[Laurenjoy1]

I'm thinking of asking my midwife about having a water birth as I've been looking into it the past few days and have seen more pros than cons.

I was wondering if people could share their experiences and maybe a comparison of their dry land birth vs their water birth if they've had both.

I had a non water birth for my DS 13 years ago. Wasn't very pleasant for me for other reasons but I don't think that was due to the fact it wasn't in water. DD was born in water 2 years ago and I absolutely loved it. Felt so calm and in control this time round. Planning a water birth for my 3rd which is due in March 2021.

Just remember unless your planning to have a birth at hone you can't ensure you'll have a water birth as it's more a see if it's free when I turn up at the hospital kind of procedure so even if you enquire it doesn't mean you'll be able to necessarily have one, I'm sure you know this but I have seen sone women on here thinking you can book one etc xx

The birth pool may not be available on the day. I was high risk with DD2 so I was only allowed to labour in the pool and the pain relief was amazing.

As much as you'd like to, you can't really plan a water birth. Also, it's not that clear-cut as what's a water birth and what isn't, IYSWIM.

With my first, I spent around 15 hours in the water pool but he ended up being born on dry land when it all went pear-shaped.

With my second, she was born in the water after a labour of less than an hour. So even though my 1st labour wasn't technically a water birth and my second was, I had much more of a water birth "experience" with my first, considering the amount of time I spent in the pool.

My tips would be - don't get too hung up on it as an idea, unless you plan on a home birth and hiring your own pool. You don't know if the pool will be available at the hospital, and you don't want it to be a disappointment on the day if it's not free.

Also, as much as you might like the pool, your baby might have other ideas. DC1 didn't want to be born in that pool despite all the dimmed lights and water and hypnobirthing shite I thought would work.
Then with DC2 my "plan" was to go to the hospital and just see what happened. She was born in the pool with no pain relief - just as I'd wanted for DC1.

You can have all the plans you like, but if your baby (and pool availability on the day) will mean you'll just have to go with the flow.

I've had both - 2 water and 1 was meant to be but decided to arrive when id got out for a few mins haha! I'd say plan for water birth or at least time in water (bath etc) as I found it really helped. The actual birth didn't seem any different on dry land for me, but I had spent most of my time in the pool x

I loved my water birth. I found the water very calming and soothing. I was only in the water for the pushing stage though as things started to move very quickly towards the end. I’m very much hoping i’ll get to have one second time round but trying not to set my heart on it in case no pools are free or my labour goes down a different path. I’d echo other posters and say you can’t really plan a water birth (unless you’re at home) but just be open to having one if the option is there.

I planned a water birth first time but DS had other ideas and arrived in the car park.

Second time I wanted a water birth if possible but I had to be monitored and induced as an emergency so couldn’t have one.

Hold onto any plans lightly - births can be unpredictable and so don’t be to set on any definitive plans.

I was desperate for a water birth and wasn't allowed anywhere near the pool as ds got distressed and needed to be closely monitored.
Really don't get too hung up on it. Go in thinking that you'd like to try it if it's an option available to you.

I desperately wanted a water birth but when my waters broke they had merconium in them, so had to have constant monitoring which meant no water for labour or birth. Gutted.
Actually ended up with emergency forceps in theatre but it was absolutely fine, I recovered absolutely fine and didn't find it traumatic.

I hope you get your water birth but I would get yourself comfortable with other methods just in case it doesn't happen so you're not too frightened or disappointed

X

I had a pool of water there which whenever I got it the labour slowed down. Eventually I had them on dry land and it was fine. It was nice to have the time in the pool but didn’t make or break the whole day.

My water birth was too quick and resulted in a third degree tear. My second birth was also quick and nowhere near a pool. I’ve heard mixed views from midwives that the water makes the skin stretchier so less likely to tear and also that it makes the skin more delicate so more likely to tear.

I had a water birth with dd - only birth so far. It was amazing! Painful as hell but a million times better than being on dry land. You can turn so easily to find different positions in the water and it definitely eased the pain when I got in. I'm 28 weeks pregnant with number 2 and quite scared that I won't cope without water for this one if for some reason I can't have another!

I felt much less exposed with my water birth. Mind you as stirrups were used in my first birth that's not really surprising.

First was supposed to be a water birth but wasn't (we had hired a pool and took it to the hospital but my husband was sent home, the midwives left me alone for ages assuming that nothing was happening, but things moved quite quickly and by the time they came to check me I was 8cm dilated and in no state to start assembling the pool).

Second time I hired a pool again but had a planned home birth so we were more in control.

The experience was infinitely better, and the pool played a big role in that but wasn't the only factor. I had a midwife who I had met several times before, liked and trusted. Baby wasn't back to back, and birth probably easier anyway being a second baby.

Also agree on feeling less exposed in the water. I hate people who insist on saying 'you won't care who sees you'. I cared - I cared the whole way through. In the pool I was wearing my tankini top and your bottom half is submerged.