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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Would you recommend a water birth?

56 replies

crimblecrumbles · 23/01/2022 20:03

I'm pregnant with DC2 and considering a hospital water birth this time but know nothing about them. Do they help with pain? What do you wear? Do you actually give birth in the pool? Are there any cons? TIA x

OP posts:
PinkandBlueMotherofTwo · 23/01/2022 21:57

I had a water birth with my first. It hugely helped during my labour in terms of relaxation etc as you are floating so all the weight off gives you better variety of positions and so much easier to move. In terms of what to wear - nothing!!

HOWEVER. I gave birth in the pool and as I had a bleed the water was dRkened meaning reduced visibility for the midwife. Despite being hugely experienced midwife it was therefore difficult second stage as they couldn’t see why I was bleeding and too late to get me out of the pool. I suffered a very bad tear (needed remedial op 3 months later) which if I had given birth on land May have been prevented due to better visibility and I lift of midwife to put perineal pressure.

So I’d say go for waterbirth but aim to get out before second stage (or if you know from prior experience you ain’t gonna wanna move at that point then avoid it!)

MabelTheCow · 23/01/2022 22:11

Loved mine.
They can really help with relaxation and movement. Statistically they reduce the risk and severity of tearing. You can have gas and air.
You can’t have pethidine or epidurals.
Some settings have contraindications to them so best to check with your local team.

FinallyGotAnIPhone · 23/01/2022 22:16

I had my second in a pool. Nice enough but it’s hardly a dreamy experience as it’s still horrendous pain and the water will probably be full of blood and poo….😆? On balance I’d recommend it though.

AnnieLobeseder · 23/01/2022 22:26

I would definitely recommend it. For some reason my legs don't work when I'm in labour, but in the water I could still move about and find a comfortable position. DC2 was back-to-back, but that water birth was still less painful than DC1's birth 'on land'.

Definitely go for it if you can.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 23/01/2022 22:27

Hated mine/ begged to get in the pool and then was desperate to get out. The feeling of weightlessness combined with the pain stressed me/ I wanted to physically push against a bed.

Whelmed · 23/01/2022 22:28

Yes I'd definitely recommend it. Helps with the pain a lot.

ToooOldForThis · 23/01/2022 22:30

Ive had 2, both very positive experiences

Wolfiefan · 23/01/2022 22:31

YES! Great pain relief. I remember saying I didn’t know how anyone managed on dry land!!
I wore just a bra top.

musicalfrog · 23/01/2022 22:32

Loved it.

Would recommend a hypnobirthing course too, so even if not a water birth it's as stress and pain free as possible.

SirSamuelVimes · 23/01/2022 22:35

Absolutely. Loved it! I had dd2 at home in a pool and it was brilliant. Didn't have any other painkillers, just the water. Still hurt like fuck of course but it was doable.

I didn't wear anything, I get really hot in labour and don't want anything on me.

2ndTimeRound90 · 23/01/2022 22:44

I had an amazing water birth with my first and hope to do it again with my next baby who is due in a couple of months. I found the warm water plus gas and air was great for pain relief and I gave birth to baby and then placenta in the water too. I wore a black crop top bra and nothing else. Had a 2nd degree tear and once it was stitched up they let me get back in the (cleaned out) birth pool for my first bath with the baby - was heaven ❤

NinaProudman2022 · 23/01/2022 22:47

I laboured in the birthing pool which was lovely and relaxing and really helps with pain relief. I am a natural fidgeter and I found it easy to move about and change position. I got out for a wee at one point and couldn’t wait to get back in again. I had to come out to give birth due to either mine or babies heart rate or something.

The room light of the birthing pool area is dimmed so you could go natural and topless if you wanted. I hadn’t planned to go in the pool with DC1 18 years ago. But I have big boobs I was self conscious about. As luck would have it I had a baggy shirt on when I went in and a cheap fitted t-shirt underneath which I removed my bra and kept this on and it worked fab in the water.

I would say go with an open mind. The birthing pool may not be available when your in labour or it may not be possible to go in for some reason but if you get the chance to go in I would definitely try it. You can come out at any point. But in the same way I used to find a hot water bottle helped with period pain the warm water helped with labour pain.

Good luck.

Dilbertian · 23/01/2022 23:12

It was awesome. The best of all my birthings.

I was naked in the pool and needed no pain relief from the moment I got in. I love the feeling of water against my skin when immersed. I felt safe and comfortable. Dh was able to reach over the side and support me under my arms when I wanted. But most of the time I was totally in my own head and following the needs of my body. I remember the midwife reminding me to keep my bum under water during 2nd stage so that the baby wouldn't feel the air and breath as it was born.

The water was black by the time ds was born. I'll not beat about the bush - blood, poo and meconium. I'll never forget the sight of him appearing through the water as he came up between my legs with his eyes open.

Ds was 11lb, my most gentle birthing, and the only one where I did not tear. I'm sure that's because I birthed him upright, supported by the water, with no active pushing at all.

annlee3817 · 24/01/2022 02:26

I wasn't keen, it was nice to float around in between contractions, but when I got to the pushing phase I couldn't stop being sick, and then I was really hot and bothered and found the warm water quite irritating. So, I got out between pushes and went to a giant bean bag on the floor, the midwife put a fan on me and I resumed on all fours, which was much better for me.

StruggleStreet · 24/01/2022 02:52

I had a pool birth for my second, it was lovely. I was in the water for most of the labour, in the bath at home and then went to hospital and got straight in the pool. I felt so much calmer in the water and the warmth really helped me to feel more comfortable. The pool room at the hospital was a really nice set up, separate room with dim lights and speakers to play calming music through.

I just wore a bikini and slipped the bottoms off when it was time to push. I do remember it being a bit tricky to get the bottoms off quick enough though (I had a very sudden urge to push and then DS was out within about 3 minutes) so maybe see if you can get some that tie at the sides.

I did find that I got a bit overheated at one point, the water temperature is surprisingly warm. The midwife brought an ice pack for DH to hold on my forehead and that really helped.

All in all I would hugely recommend it, but do make sure you keep upright and move as much as you can. I think in the pool there is a temptation to just lie back but that could slow things down. I mainly knelt and leaned against the side of the pool and I think the gravity must have really helped as it all happened quite quickly.

whinetime89 · 24/01/2022 06:09

Yes yes yes. I had two home water births after a first very clinical medical hospital birth. They were such amazing empowering experiences and definitely took the edge off the pain

Forshorttheycallmecomp · 24/01/2022 06:17

My first birth was with a cast of thousands in Labour ward (although in the end no significant issues to either of us) but my subsequent births were water births.

For me it was a much better experience. I did find it “alone” - physically you’re more isolated from everyone - but after the first birth that was a major plus for me. I knelt up in the water, holding onto the side (my babies tend to be back to back) and caught my own babies. I also held my perineum during crowning which is weird but, er, worked for me.

It’s not for everyone though. I got out the water pretty sharpish (1-2 minutes) after delivery because hanging around in a bath of all that is not nice. Wore a tankini top the first time and nothing the second time.

Good luck!

Tomlettegregg · 24/01/2022 06:20

I found there was no pain relief from the water but I was induced so maybe it was just too intense as a result. I also couldn't stand them faffing with me with the straps and the monitor. It was so annoying. The gas & air plus water also made me feel rough as, really out of control and I shivered / shook like buggery once I got out. I was then told the shower might be nice. I said no thanks, I'll have an epidural. Best decision ever.

Tomlettegregg · 24/01/2022 06:23

Also I don't know how anyone can care about what they look like giving birth.. the pain was such a distraction I wouldn't have noticed if a troop of people walked by. I couldn't bear anything on my skin especially a bra / bikini.

Poppins2016 · 24/01/2022 06:31

I've given birth twice in water and loved it. I found being weightless and not having to support myself really helped, along with the warmth (body temperature, 37 degrees, like a warm but not steaming hot bath). I had a bikini to hand but wore nothing for both babies, I got into the pool quite late (unintentional, I just seem to cope well until the pushing stage creeps up on me) both times and just didn't care about modesty! It was lovely to just sit, relax and have skin to skin afterwards. If I had a third, I'd aim for another water birth.

Wideawakeandconfused · 24/01/2022 06:44

Absolutely. I had one with my first and delivered him in the water. It was amazing and it really helped at the crowning stage.

I wanted one with my second but couldn’t as her heart rate dropped slightly.

Cheesewiz · 24/01/2022 06:56

Yes! Definitely recommend, had one with my second although I hardly spent much time in it (I got to the hospital too late) so I was only in it whilst pushing baby out but i felt my entire body relax and it really helped with the pain. I wore a sports bra in the pool, only because I had it on under my jumper but a bikini or vest top would be fine.

mummyh2016 · 24/01/2022 08:09

Yep, first birth I laboured in the pool but got out to deliver. Second birth I did both, DD was out in 2 pushes.

thingymaboob · 24/01/2022 09:35

Hated it. Hates the sensation of water against my skin. It was horrible. Got out almost immediately then went to central delivery suite and had an epidural which was absolutely amazing

firstimemamma · 24/01/2022 09:43

I had a water birth back in 2018 and it was incredible. I had to get out of the pool briefly so they could check something and as soon as the midwife said I could get back in I was so happy I just blurted out 'I love you!'

Was just in the water in hospital for the last 2 hours as I'd mostly laboured at home. Had gas and air in the pool.

Pregnant again and hoping for another water birth but trying not to get my hopes up to avoid disappointment.

A word of warning - you're not allowed to birth the placenta in the water so you do need to get out for that bit.

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