Has anyone giving birth in a birth pool?

[LouiseT12]

Just wondering what your experiences were like and a bit of info. What do you wear? Can you get in and out if need be. Has anyone had birthing pool and birth on a bed and what would you prefer? FTM here baby due in 3 weeks 🤭

My first baby I had a 'traditional' birth on a bed. Second baby I was convinced by midwife to have a water birth. Water births were not even on my radar and I was very wary. It was amazing. I immediately felt calmer, pain more bearable (especially in my back). I felt I could move around and get comfy. I just wore my bra/crop top. It was an amazing experience so completely different to my first. So much more calmer and the fact I could move around and get into different positions was fab.
I wanted a water birth for my third but she was too quick. If you do opt for water let them know as soon as you arrive as they will only be a few pools and they take a little while to fill.
I highly recommend it!

I spent most of my labour with DC1 in the pool. Loved it. Amazing for easing the pain and helping you feel supported. You can get out but I REALLY didn't want to. You can wear a bikini top or crop top but I was naked. Would have definitely had dc2 in the pool but sadly couldn't.

I had a bit of both with 2 kids. 1st one, I spent ages in the birthing pool but in the end had to get out, epidural and forecp delivery as everything just stopped.

I am blaming the fact that I was so comfortable in the water, I got in at the first twinge and basically stopped moving about.

With DC2, I was determined to keep moving / upright for as long as I could bear it - pacing the room, hanging off DH, bouncing on the ball etc.

Then I got into the pool and was able to deliver DD - it was amazing, classic picture really, on my knees and she swam up between my legs and into my arms - incredible moment.

I wore a tankini I think for the first one but then just pants and a sports bra the 2nd time.

1st time, they kept making me get out for monitoring which was horrible but 2nd time they managed to monitor me in the pool the whole time which was ace.

I would 100% choose the pool but depends on the set up in your local hospital wether you get one.

For us, we found out on our tour of the ward that shift change was at 7am and 7pm so I was very lucky and decided to go in around then rather than stick it out at home for another hour which meant they diverted new staff from the normal labour ward straight into the birthing centre wing with me so I know you often won't get to control at what time you need to go in but it worked for us!!

My 3rd i had in a pool, they weren't free for 1 and 2. It was the only birth where I didn't tear and bigger baby so definitely helped with that. Recovery much better because no tear or stitches.

But it did slow things down because I was so relaxed.

I had DC3 in the pool and it was fabulous!

Both mine born in a pool- totally recommend it!

I wore a sleep bra, same kind as I wore out of the pool for DC 1 and 2. I didn't want to get out of the pool but could have done. I was kneeling, was able to move and get comfortable and was monitored in the pool. I think it slowed things down a bit which is good for me as DC2 shot out which caused a few issues (although DC3 was still under an hour from first twinge). If you get the chance and fancy it I would highly Reccomend giving it a try (obviously you can just get out if you don't like it!).

I only got access to my birthing pool when I was just about ready to push and I think it was too late. I couldn't find a way to brace myself. The sides of the pool were too wide to push against. It wasn't deep enough for me to lean over while also keeping my bottom half submerged.
I managed it in the end but there were a fair few minutes were I just floundered around splashing and sliding.
Everyone else I have spoken to who have had water births had much better experiences. I think I'd ask for one again if I had another but make sure I got in there early to make the most of it and get used to its proportions.

Pool was great. Planned to wear a tankini top but when it came time to get in I was in full on labour and didn't give a shit about being coy so was entirely naked.

I had a water birth and first birth very recently so still processing everything but couldn't really be happier with the whole experience.
Body felt supported, in control, super able to move how it needed to and I like to think it made the pushing feel like those 'surges' that the hypnobirthers talk about. Wouldn't have wanted to get out.
Nothing to compare it to but would want the same experience again. No chance I was going to wear anything as was practically stripping off in the car on the way in.
Did end up with a second degree tear but think I got away lightly as that was 9lbs of baby arriving within 3 hours! He was also wrapped up in his cord and according to DH the midwife lassoed him out of it as he emerged and swam him up onto my tummy no bother.

It was nice because no one could come near me! It got too hot but needed to be for baby. It did nothing for pain relief. On balance I'd probably do it again but lower my expectations.

I spent the majority of my labour in my bath. It was great for the pain. I wanted a water birth but by the time I got to the hospital I was 10cm so it was far too late. I birthed on my knees on the bed and that was fine too!

I gave birth in the pool, I had planned to just wear a tankini top but went into labour unexpectedly so just wore my bra. Honestly it gets so hot in the room you'll want minimal clothing on! Good luck xxx

I gave birth in the pool. Lights were low and the water really helped me feel private and supported. Kept it topped up with warmer water and that plus gas and air was enough for me. Only shock to me was once baby was born I had to climb out the pool quite quickly to deliver placenta (had to be done out of the pool) and I remember my legs shaking like a leaf as I climbed the little steps out! All in all though I would 100% recommend it!

I really wanted to with both of mine but due to complications wasn't allowed :(

2nd child was born in one. I was so chilled out it was ridiculous looking back. Naked and didn't care. When I felt like I needed to push the thought went through my mind "Oh, I need to start pushing, I should really tell someone about that, but I just can't be bothered."

Fortunately, the more primal side of my brain kicked in and my scream alerted the midwife to me pushing, at which point baby was nearly out which caused her to panic somewhat before she could get in and catch her

Yes, the midwife said 'baby will be out soon...' and I said 'I think that's already happened'!

Had 2nd child in a birthing pool. Was lovely. Definitely eased the pain. Unfortunately, was not able to have my 3rd DC in a birthing pool, initially due to a low lying placenta (which eventually resolved itself in late pregnancy) and then high blood pressure issues. For some reason my blood pressure is always high when taken for the first time. It is then drastically lower when taken again a few minutes later. Still happens now years later. I read something about anxiety and thinking about it too much. Plus, I’m usually always rushing to appointments, even when pregnant. I ran for the bus when overdue with my 1st DC whilst on my way to my 41 week antenatal appointment! I don’t know why, as I don’t recall time being tight. I was a lot younger then. I would not recommend that lol.
My contractions then started in hospital waiting room.
Good luck 💐

Dd1 was a water birth, Dd2 and DS were induced via drip so they were born in a bed. Dd1 was by far my most relaxed birth, so much so that I was dropping off between contractions!

Oh, and I was naked. Clothing was really annoying.

Yes. Laboured in the pool with my first before assisted delivery. Second was born at home in water. Recommended for the pain relief. And I was naked too. Clothes being the last thing you want to worry about

And I wore a tankini. The bottom half was off in minutes, as I didn’t want to be faffing around trying to get my knickers off during contractions. Midwife recommended relaxing in a warm bath to help start contractions. Ended up getting out of birthing pool, into bath, my waters popped within 5-10 mins and then got back into the birthing pool. Baby popped out within 30 mins. I also sat on and moved back and forth and around on one of those big plastic yoga type balls before getting in the birthing pool. NHS Birthing Suite was atmospheric and relaxing. Dimmed lighting and relaxation music. Bought incense sticks with me. All 3 of my DC popped out with 1hr of contractions starting.

Maternity Unit staff told me to go home when I arrived at the hospital in the early stages of labour with DC3. I refused. My waters broke 15 minutes later in the toilet. Contractions started. I was then rushed into the Delivery Suite and gave birth within 40 mins.
Do NOT leave the hospital if you know/feel that you need to stay!!!

Yep, it was great, so much more comfortable. I was in there ages but then they made me get out at the end to have an episiotomy so I delivered on the bed. Would definitely recommend it if you can, but as you can see everyone has a different experience so don't set your mind on anything too strongly and risk being disappointed.

My first three births were on a bed and my fourth was a water birth, if I was to do it again I would choose a water birth without any doubt. I didn't get into the pool straight away as I've heard it can slow labour down. I waiting until the contractions started getting strong then got in and the pain relief from it was definitely noticeable. I managed with just breathing and relief from the water up until I was pushing, then I used the gas and air. I was such a relaxing, controlled birth. I didn't have any VEs, I could feel him moving down and was guided by my body rather than by midwives as in my previous births and I was the one who caught him and brought him up out of the water, it was honestly an amazing experience and brings happy tears to my eyes every time I think about it! It was the only one of my four births which I didn't need any stitches after either

DC1 was assisted after being in labour for about a year. DC2 was waterbirth, just under 4 hours from first contracting to arrival. I honestly couldn’t recommend it enough, helped so much with keeping comfortable, my focus. Planning the same for DC3 due in 9 weeks.
Clothing wise I’ve packed swimwear and a t shirt. I had a t shirt on last time but I didn’t have time to change, time I got to the birthing unit they just managed to fill the pool up and she was out in about 30 minutes. X