Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Childbirth

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

Original poster

Has anyone had a VBAC water birth?

10 replies

meadowkoa · 27/02/2025 18:01

Hi all,

I've just found out I'm pregnant which we're over the moon about. My little girl will be very close to her 2nd birthday when baby is due.

I decided to have an elective c section with my first as I had high blood pressure and would need a doctor lead labour. After seeing how clinical the room was it really put me off. I always dreamt of trying for a water birth.

I kind of regret that decision know. I wish I'd have given it a try. Has anyone had a water birth after c section before? How was it?

Obviously if the hospital are really against it I wouldn't do it but I'd try to push for it. It also puts me off as I wouldn't be able to pick up my little girl for some time afterwards.

Any comments would be appreciated x

OP posts:
Mrsttcno1 · 27/02/2025 18:36

I didn’t personally, I planned to but complications meant it wasn’t an option for me. One of my best friends though has had 2 amazing water births and cannot recommend them highly enough! If we are lucky enough to have a second baby I would love to try for one!

Original poster
meadowkoa · 27/02/2025 18:53

Mrsttcno1 · 27/02/2025 18:36

I didn’t personally, I planned to but complications meant it wasn’t an option for me. One of my best friends though has had 2 amazing water births and cannot recommend them highly enough! If we are lucky enough to have a second baby I would love to try for one!

Thank you for that! Did your friend have a c section previous? That's really reassuring if I don't have any complications! X

OP posts:
Karmamamama · 27/02/2025 19:15

I had a VBAC after elective C section and they were filling up the pool when I actually gave birth (so it was too quick to get in the pool…).

If I remember, I had to call the head midwife in the midwife led unit well in advance of due date to discuss VBAC (instead of C section), my plans and to check they would agree with it. I was low risk for VBAC since elective was due to breech (rather than something related to me) and a few years since had C section. The consultant led unit was next door as well so knew if anything did go wrong it wasn’t far away.

I was discharged within 3 hours of giving birth.

peaches692 · 27/02/2025 19:56

yes! it was the most magical experience.

i did have to push to be 'allowed' a pool birth, the registrar i spoke to initially said a pool delivery was out of the question for a vbac but i stood my ground and spoke to the head of midwifery and she said there was no reason i couldn't try - they'd had plenty of vbac deliveries in the pool so unsure why the initial registrar was so against it. once i had the midwives on side it was completely fine.

the labour/delivery couldn't have gone better - 5 hours from start to finish and i was home by the afternoon. the recovery was a doddle compared to the ELCS and i felt really empowered afterwards.

i think the main thing with a VBAC pool delivery is they (understandably) want to be able to monitor you closely using CTG because of the risk of scar rupture, but lots of units now have mobile/waterproof CTG machines so if they do, there's no reason it can't be done in the pool.

Original poster
meadowkoa · 27/02/2025 20:27

Karmamamama · 27/02/2025 19:15

I had a VBAC after elective C section and they were filling up the pool when I actually gave birth (so it was too quick to get in the pool…).

If I remember, I had to call the head midwife in the midwife led unit well in advance of due date to discuss VBAC (instead of C section), my plans and to check they would agree with it. I was low risk for VBAC since elective was due to breech (rather than something related to me) and a few years since had C section. The consultant led unit was next door as well so knew if anything did go wrong it wasn’t far away.

I was discharged within 3 hours of giving birth.

Amazing, I've heard people say second labours are quicker but wondered if it was the same after a c section! X

OP posts:
Original poster
meadowkoa · 27/02/2025 20:27

peaches692 · 27/02/2025 19:56

yes! it was the most magical experience.

i did have to push to be 'allowed' a pool birth, the registrar i spoke to initially said a pool delivery was out of the question for a vbac but i stood my ground and spoke to the head of midwifery and she said there was no reason i couldn't try - they'd had plenty of vbac deliveries in the pool so unsure why the initial registrar was so against it. once i had the midwives on side it was completely fine.

the labour/delivery couldn't have gone better - 5 hours from start to finish and i was home by the afternoon. the recovery was a doddle compared to the ELCS and i felt really empowered afterwards.

i think the main thing with a VBAC pool delivery is they (understandably) want to be able to monitor you closely using CTG because of the risk of scar rupture, but lots of units now have mobile/waterproof CTG machines so if they do, there's no reason it can't be done in the pool.

Wow that's amazing and really reassuring. Glad you got your dream birth! Definately going to push for this! X

OP posts:
MaggieMistletoe · 27/02/2025 20:32

Yes I had 2 VBAC water births after 2 c sections. Both really straightforward and lovely experiences, I did tear badly both times but that's a completely seperate thing and my babies have huge heads! I don't regret it at all, but in the event of a future potential 5th baby I would have to revert back to c section again unfortunately.

YouveGotAFastCar · 27/02/2025 20:35

I’ve been told that they’d rather I didn’t, as they can’t continuously monitor with the wireless CTG machines and they’d prefer to do that this time, but I’m going to push it. The midwife did say it was my choice and it was just their recommendation that I had continuous monitoring.

biscuitcat · 27/02/2025 20:43

My second was an accidental VBAC and I was told I wasn't able to use the pool as they wanted to continuously monitor - and as I'd been planning a section I hadn't thought through or spoken with DH about how to approach that and advocate for what I wanted, and ended up giving birth 'on land' (and to be honest, it was so quick I don't know the pool would have been filled fast enough!). I'm imminently due DC3 and am registered with the home birth team who are super supportive of my using the pool - the main difficulty will be if this one arrives faster than my last, we'd likely not have time!

Original poster
meadowkoa · 27/02/2025 21:34

Thanks for your replies everybody. I feel much more positive about the expierence should I have no complications and push for a water birth !

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page