Water Birth - Stupid Questions, what would you take, what would you wear etc

[StaryNightSky]

Hi All

Ok I am going to a private very well resourced clinic to give birth as I am spain. One of the wonderful things about this clinic is that they encourage very natural births and everything seems to be set up from the Mothers point of veiw.

Water births - in the biggest pools I have ever seen and ergonomically shaped birthing beds if you would prefer to get out of the pool for pushing etc. Can't really decribe the bed too well but they seem to encourgage birthing on all 4 or what ever position you find comfortable the works!

They handed out a list of things to take in your bag including candles, oils, aromotherapy, music, anything that would make you feel at home and relaxed.

So What would you or did you take?

Stupid question, what did you wear to give birth in? I'm sure at the time I will not give a flying toss, but right now I can't imagine being naked in a birthing pool so I was thinking about taking a big t-shirt / tankini top. But what about if I have to get to out to do the acutally pushing? Won't I be freezing in soaking wet clothes?

The other thing is everything seems to really focus on the mum, I didn't even notice a comfortable place for OH to sit during labour, there was a really nice birthing chair will he use that?

The clinic has the facitilies to monitor continuously in the pool if necessary but the midwife said that some women whilst they plan to give birth in the pool find it very difficult to push so have to get out for the final count down. I don't want to go with any preconceptions but what do you think.

Thanks

Hi i had a waterbirth with dd2 and delivered her in the water, i was naked but you can wear a tankini top. Iwould take a nighty incase you deliver out of the pool as i was freezing when i got out! Dp and my mum kneeled up at the side of the pool.HTH

I was naked - I am the kind of person who needs to be naked through illness etc though, so any clothes really irritated me during birth too.

I didn't bother with getting out to push and delivered in the water. It was the middle of heatwave of 2003 though so I wasn't gonna be feeling cold whatever I did

Wore nothing in the pool - believe me, you won't give a shit about being naked

The room will probably be quite warm, so even if you get out you probably won't need much in the way of clothing... maybe DP t-shirt?

Dp sat by the pool during my births, on a bog-standard chair. I think he got on his knees when it got to the delivery so he could sort of lean over and get a good view, and be gripped by me

I delivered in the water both times, the water has to be kept a certain temp (warm) and once in I didn't want to get out.

Good luck

i would take a tankini top and a few nighties incase you do deliver outside the pool and for afterwards.

I delivered dd2 in water.Wore nothing.
Was an NHS hospital so no candles etc!

I was naked too. I thought I would wear a t shirt but tbh I didn't care who saw me by that stage I got in and out a few times as I was falling asleep (or trying to) in the warm water. I finally got out to push. There was just an urge I had to be out of the water, the walk accross to the bed was enough to get DD really moving and I pushed her straight out using a Birthing Stool (great invention!).

Take a nice cuddly robe for when you get out/after the Birth. Also lots of sugary snacks and drinks like lucozade. The Midwife had to practically force feed me as after 26 hours I was getting too tired and she was worried I would be too tired to push.

HTH and Good Luck

Water births are fab and mine was one of the most precious moments of my life! [vomit!]

I was totally naked and didnt care at all. The water was lovely and warm and the midwife and DH were on the side urging me on.

We lived in Italy at the time and water was the ONLY form of pain relief on offer at this hospital and it was bliss.

I can still see myself pushing ds2 out and seeing his lovely little face coming up out of the water! He laid on me naked for about half an hour with the cord still attached and was like a lovely red cherry tomato for about 6 days!!

Take a nice towelling robe to get into when you get out and some nice bath oil or something for later on once you have had it!

(I think a tankini or bikini top is a great idea if you dont want your boobs on display but I really didnt care.)

How exciting!

I agree waterbirths are fab

What I would prepare for, though, is the state of the water during and immediately after birth.

With dd1, the water was completely red (with blood, obviously) I couldn't see the bottom of the pool. Nothing was wrong, just a lot of blood.

With dd2 there was no blood at all, the water remained clear. Again no problems.

So every delivery is different.

But there WILL be poo, though

I had a waterbirth with my 1st and the experience was fantastic. The low lights and calm environment was wonderful. I gave birth in the water too as it was much more comfortable and I didn't feel like moving at that point. Do take something to put under your chin as my chin and elbows felt quite bruised from leaning for hours on the side of the pool. I was naked.. like everyone has said.. at that point you won't give a damn if the room was full of people seeing you naked.. it's irrelevant believe me. My dh sat on a chair at the side of the pool for the duration. By the way, they usually have a little net to scoop out any poo.. actually you won't worry about that either!!

Oh, it sounds lovely.
DD1 was born in the water. NHS, but it was great.
I was naked too and did not care one jot. Tankini is a good option though. Our room was kept warm so I didn't get cold and they had lots of towels for us when we got out to deliver the placenta.
Don't forget a cheap seive though for collecting any little poos . The midwife asked if we wanted to keep ours at the end ROFL.
Good Luck.

I had home waterbirth and was naked. In fact I think I ditched my clothes just after midwife arrived (not that I was wearing much - dh put my wrap dress back on me when I got out of bath b4 going downstairs as doors, windows and curtains open. Otherwise it could have been interesting for anyone noseying (sp?) over the garden wall).
Hospitals are generally very warm, so you won't need to worry about getting cold. A nice comfy robe for afterwards might be nice, or a nightie or pj's that you can feed it.
Good luck
ROFL vanillapumpkin! why????

alos naked, trust me you won't care
also much easier for bf as you already have your norks out lol

OP can I ask which clinic? I am in Spain too and am really really interested to hear of somewhere promoting natural birth, can you post a link?

Maveta

Hope you pick this up. I forgot to check.

This is the clinic. here

I could not be MORE impressed.

They are lovely people and very professional at the same time but fully encourage natural birth. Whilst having such wonderful facilities if they are needed.

Post here or CAT me if you want more info.

Thanks