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 🤭

I have had two pool births. I didn't wear anything.

There was the option of getting out to give birth, but standing up and stepping out didn't feel appealing, so I didn't.

I had DS1 the normal on the bed way. DS2 was a water birth.

For me it was all about privacy. I know everyone says "by that point you won't care about dignity" etc but I did. I didn't want a whole load of people staring at my bulging vagina/anus again. I am absolutely sure that's why it took me ages to push DS1 out as I was on my back, in pain, everyone staring at my bits and I was pulling really ugly pushing faces and knew it and couldn't do anything about it. Sounds stupid and vain almost but I felt inhibited by the lack of privacy.

With DS2 I wore a vest top in the birth pool and the water held me in a squatting position. My lower half was under the water, so no one could see my bits at all under my bump. My DH was behind me, arms around my neck, and I gave birth to DS calmly into my own hands and pulled him up to my chest. It was incredibly private and controlled. Such a difference. Plus no monitors and not nearly as much pain. It was great.

I had my last in a pool. Honestly the best thing ever! 3rd baby. First two heavily medicated, 3rd just the pool. I wore just a vest top. No burning as the head crowns, great pain relief. Good luck

I had my second in the birth pool. It was AMAZING!

My labour was quick anyway but the water just made me feel so relaxed and calm. I was able to deliver on all fours which was much easier. I'm pretty sure it helped with me not tearing that time either.

Honestly, it was just the best.

I wore a tankini top. They told me they like you to deliver the placenta outside the pool, but mine came quickly and I had it in the pool too.

I had the third in the pool and it was great.

I had a home birth and we rented the pool. My first two were born so fast by the time I got to the hospital there wasn't time for the pool.

The best part about the pool was that the midwifes left me alone more. With DS2 they had me on my back with monitors because they kept losing the very healthy baby's heart. I was furious and kept telling me if they just let me stand up the baby would come out. In the pool they just didn't touch me so much.

It was great (it still hurt a lot, but it was more peaceful)

Regarding clothes, I did wear a bra but regretted it because I wanted to breastfeed immediately and the bra was a faff.

I had a water birth with my first. It was great. I was naked. No stitches, gas and air. I’m 31 weeks pregnant with number 2 and really hope I can do it again.

Had first on trolley in theatre....used pool in early stages but problems with baby's heart rate meant was asked to get out. Next two births much more straightforward and stayed in hospital pool throughout. Great to have your own space. Do be aware that you might be asked to have a medical student present...I was told they have to see a water birthfor their training. Mine were a while ago but had to have iron levels over a certain value before could have preference for water birth added to hospital plan. So you need to discuss this with your midwife ASAP just in case. If your iron level is too low, you need time to take iron tablets or Spatone to get up to the right level in advance of the birth. Good luck!

I had my first in the water, I had planned a water birth so very pleased I was able to have one. It was amazing experience and I just look back at the birth as such a lovely experience. I have nothing to compare it too, but the pain was manageable I just had gas and air, I didn't need to get in and out, I was fully disliked when I got in and she was born 3 hours later.

I gave birth to my DS in a pool and loved it. I took a bikini with me in case I wanted to preserve modesty but ended up getting in naked, I just didn't care at all (mind you, I arrived at the MLU 9 cm dilated, maybe I would have cared more in the earlier stages!). I also used hypnobirthing techniques which were really helpful, I managed to get through most of labour at home and had no idea I was that far along!

I'm now pregnant with my second and hoping for another pool birth with hypnobirthing.