Have to get out of birth pool regularly?

[whinegums]

Hi - any feedback on the following please? I'm hoping to have a water birth (hospital only has one birth pool, so luck of the draw) but I've been told that you have to get out every couple of hours to 'get moving.' This was with the insinuation that it would 'speed things up' but I suspect it's more about having a poke around and for the convenience of the staff.

Has anyone else had to do this, or any thoughts about it? I wonder (assuming I can even get in to the pool in the first place) if I refuse to get out what will happen. I wouldn't put it past them to pull the plug!

I just can't see what benefit there can be in getting out every 2 hours?

i ahve never heard that and i had a water birght for ds4.

i know they dont like you to get in until you are in established labour so 4 or 5cm dilated? tho nobody checked i was but i think it was 'obvious' from my body movements etc i was in the pool less than an hour before baby arrived and during that time i think the midwife used a hand held moniter to check the babies heartbeat a few times, there is no need for them to give you an internal exam or for you to get out if you dont want to and there are no complications

Never heard of that. I had a water birth and once I was in, I think they would have had to drag me out, kicking and screaming! Like 3madboys, I didn't get in until I was in fully established labour. If you get in too early, it can slow down your contractions.

I put in my birth plan that I wanted to be examined in the water. I don't actually remember be examined at all though!

Thanks for this. I know they won't let you in til you're 5cm dilated, which is fair enough, but I can imagine getting pretty annoyed at having to get out again!

Michael Odent reckons you can go to full dilation in an hour in water.

However in hospital you are reckoning an hour for them to fill the pool and faff about and as you are unlikely to go to the hospital before you are a bit dilated, you're probably not going in till 4cm at least anyway.

Michel Odent reckons that immersion in water causes oxytocin levels to rise rapidly but that after 1 1/2 to 2 hours they start to fall again and labour can slow down. If this happens then it may be necessary to get out and try and get things moving again. However, he also says that if you get in at about 5cm dilation then the baby should be born within an hour or two anyway!

I missed out on a pool but got a very big bath - with the promise of a move to a pool if it came free. TBH as things moved slowly I got out and in twice before I finally realised for myself that it was making me tired and that I had to get out and move. It was an instict that proved right. As soon as I walked about a bit I was done and started pushing. DD arrived on dry land but it was still a wonderful experience.

Perhaps the experts have a point, if you stay in too long it can slow you down.

It may or may not slow you down. If it does then stand up, change your position or get out and go to the loo!

Hmmm, interesting. I find it odd that you are 'made' to get out whether or not things have slowed down or speeded up. I just love my hospital, they have so many daft bloody protocols like this!!! At least I've managed not to go into labour any earlier, as of tomorrow they are changing some of them - like not being able to eat or drink during labour, and not keeping everyone to their 'timetable' for intervention!

Thanks ladies!

Have a homebirth. They can't make you do anything!!! You can get in when you feel like it and get out when you feel like it!

what daisy and mars said

if you have not birthed within 2 hours or so, if you got in at 5cm ish, then you might need to stand or move briefly.

but, it is your decision, and you do not have to

if you want to guarantee a waterbirth,on your terms, then you should book a homebirth.

especially if your hospital has one pool only.

you may also find that even if it is available when you get there, there will be all sorts of restrictions or no MWs trained in water birth.

you might find they want you to delvier on dry land even if you get to full dilation in the pool

AIMS has a very good booklet on waterbirth www.aims.org.uk

Thanks Lulu -I would love a homebirth, but our 3rd floor flat doesn't have much space. And I'm not sure the floor would cope with a pool either unfortunately. Just keeping my fingers crossed for a good experience in hospital!

As a student of theology I am fairly sure that Jesus did not give birth in a barn

As a student if biology I'm pretty sure too, mp.

Bloody hell if Jesus gave birth in a barn, that surely would be a miracle..... Was he a bearded lady then?

As a student of biology I'm an atheist