Talk to me about birthing pools?

[eleanorsos]

Did a quick search on this and couldn't find a recent thread, so just that really. I'm considering using the birthing pool at my hospital's birth centre when the times comes - sounds like it would be a lovely change of pace - but as a FTM it's hard to know how things will go on the day and whether it will actually be relaxing or just a faff getting in and out! I know it's not always available but hoping to have an idea of whether I'd want to use it or not...

Anyone used a birth pool recently and care to share their experiences either for/against?

Many thanks in advance!

I gave birth in the pool and loved it. The water is supportive so you feel weightless so it makes it easy to get into a good position. I don't remember it being difficult to get in and out of - it had steps.

Everything has to be going well to be able to use it, and one has to be free, so I would be open to it but not set up your heart on it iyswim.

@balloonbasket That's really good to hear, thank you! Definitely won't get too attached in case things don't work out that way...

Hated it- but I’m near certain I’m in the minority. Begged to get into it and then begged to get out
Basically I felt out of control, on top of already feeling out of control. I just wanted a hard bed surface to push against.
Also being so tired I felt cold in it- I was assured it was very warm, I think it was just my exhaustion.

It was fine- dare I say, a bit overrated!

The water never felt hot enough (MW was monitoring the temperature like it was a nuclear reactor) and even when it was topped up with warm water it went cold so quickly.

I couldn’t find a comfortable position to sit in either. The bottom was obviously dead hard and hurt my arse or my knees, no matter how I arranged myself.

It was pretty relaxing but once I got in my contractions went from v regular to one every five minutes. MW could tell I wasn’t arsed, got me out again and straight away my contractions kicked off again properly.

It was easy enough to get in and out of with DH/ MW’s help.

4/10 wouldn’t bother again.

I absolutely loved it however I had an amazing birth and was very lucky.
I didn't have my heart set on it but I'd written in my notes that I'd be open to it if it was available.
When we got onto the labour ward it was really quiet and my midwife asked how I felt about the pool and I said yeah I'd love to try it if it's free and honestly I can't imagine how it would have gone if I hadn't been able to go in it!
I got in at 6am and the second I was in I felt so much more relaxed, it just felt like getting in a lovely warm bath (never once felt cold, midwife even said the temp had dropped and did I want it topping up but it still felt lovely to me)
I laboured sat on my bum for a bit then turned onto my knees and baby was born at 7:27am
Midwife just used the underwater Doppler a few times to check babies heart rate but I progressed really fast so didn't have any examinations or have to get in or out for anything.

If I can't have the pool in my next birth I don't know what I'll do! Cross my legs till it's free I think 😂

Ah a real mixed bag then! Thanks so much everyone - lots to think about....

I spent hours of labour in the pool, it really helped. I had TENS til I got in the pool, didn’t need any further pain relief.

I found it so so helpful.

Prevented me from tiring so quickly (which meant pushing later was easier), the warm water was a great pain reliever and I was supported all over. Bliss.
Only problem was I got out to be checked and i Couldn't get back in because he was almost here.

Gave birth on a massive bean bag!

I liked it for floating around in between contractions, but other than that wasn't a fan, found the water too warm and was hot and bothered, so got out half way through the pushing stage, was much happier out of it

@EmmaJR1 Well the bean bag sounds nice!

Well it wasn't too shabby tbh... my midwife seemed a bit more concerned with getting DH a stool for his poor knees rather than helping me so I'm glad that both the water and bean bag were supportive 😆

I totally had my heart set on birthing pool throughout pregnancy. However, my baby was back to back and I was having severe contractions from 2cm so I decided an epidural was on the cards, not the pool!

My experience a few weeks ago was like something20 . Third child and first water birth at the midwifery unit in a birthing pool..the room itself was very ambient , lighting , very hypnobirthing orientated (which I also recommend) and I played chill out music . The water was relaxing, pain relieving, supportive. You cant go in too quick or contractions slow down. I came out at one point and they ramped up immediately. It was painful getting in and out but there are steps. I spent most of the time in the pool with my knees apart...letting gravity do its thing. Latterly I got gas and air. Minimal examination , a lot of tuning in to what my body was telling me and using the underwater doppler, mirror etc to examine.. he was born in 2 or 3 pushes. The whole experience was so much better than my previouS two births at a labour suitE & couldn't recommend enough! If the option is there , worth a go!

That sounds lovely @Realladymarmalade, here's hoping for that! Congrats on your newest little one!