Water birth

[Lou98]

Hi, I'm nearly 37 weeks pregnant with my second baby and have my midwife appointment in a few days to discuss my birthing plan. This time I'm really considering a water birth and was looking for other peoples experiences!

Would you do it again? Did you love/hate it? What were your options with pain relief? And could you have one if you were induced?

A water birth isn't something I had considered before but I've been in a lot of pain this pregnancy and baths have helped so much so I'm thinking it may really help!
With my Son, I was induced but things progressed so quickly I never had any pain relief (not by choice) and actually gave birth still on the induction ward as I was never moved to labour as they didn't realise I was in active labour. I'm hoping for a quick birth again this time but also feeling more prepared than I did with him and I know it may not work out this way and it's just a rough plan but I just wanted to know pros/cons if anyones happy to share!

I had a water birth - although 15+ years ago now! I've always loved baths and use them when I have period pain so I thought being in water might help with labour too.
I would completely recomend it. I still had gas and air. Dim lights and and a quiet room. I thought I'd worry about baby's head being underwater but I didn't. It all felt ok. I felt protected and supported by the water and it gave me control of my body and the space.
The only downside was having to get out to deliver the palcenta which then felt a bit upsetting and tense after the relative peace and control of the pool.

Loved mine. Did it at home. Best birth of three 💕

@purplewolfie @SuperIris thank you both! Glad you both had a good experience!

I never really thought about the placenta afterwards so thank you, I never realised you had to get out to deliver it. My birth with my Son was all quite stressful with how quick it went and so it sounds like it could be quite relaxing in comparison

I wanted one with DD1 but had pethidine so was advised not to have a water birth as they'd need to check her incase the pethidine made her sleepy so if everything is going to plan, so maybe try and avoid pethidine as pain relief (I ended up having to be moved anyway from the BC to labour ward so wouldn't have had one anyway!). I was induced with DD2 and had a high risk pregnancy so there was no chance of a water birth has had to be monitored all the way through active labour.

I had two medicalised births due to pre eclampsia. The third was a dream. I'd do it again tomorrow! Being at home meant my husband could potter around making himself useful (he felt out of control in hospital) and my two other dc were playing out for the majority of my labour. The dog mooched about and it was just lovely.
The mws were incredible and I felt so much more calm and in control. ❤️

I’ve had two and now couldn’t imagine what it’s like to give birth without being in the water. I’m not even a fan of baths!

I got out of the pool to deliver the placenta the first time, but it came quickly the second time and I didn’t get out of the pool for about an hour as DS2 just kept feeding! Bliss!

I had a water birth with DD1 and loved it. I wanted one with DD2 who was induced but labour progressed so quickly that there wasn't time. The midwife led unit started filling a pool when the induction suite phoned to tell them I was on the way but baby wasn't prepared to wait for it! Good luck

I had a water birth with my first and loved it but wasn't allowed a water birth with my second baby because I was induced that time.

Loved being in the water and they dimmed the lights in the room. It was magical. I had gas and air.

I had a water birth with my 2nd, you can have gas and air in the pool but nothing stronger. You don't have to get out to deliver the placenta and I don't think you can have a water birth if your induced due to the additional monitoring etc but this may very by trust.
I had a very difficult first birth, and found the water birth amazing in comparison, it felt like my 'safe space, where noone could come near me and I was left to listen to my body and go naturally. I had to get out straight away and have the injection for the placenta as I'd had a large pph with my first and they wanted to monitor my blood loss after the 2nd birth but everything was great. I'm pregnant with my 3rd and would love another water birth x

Hi @Lou98 - just wanted to check in and see how it went? Hope you and baby are OK

@prinnycessa thank you for checking in! I never got a water birth in the end but I did have a very quick and straightforward induction with Gas and Air. My Daughter was born a few days early in July! She's nearly 7 weeks now and getting on great ☺️

Congratulations @Lou98 ! Sounds like it went really well ☺️