Water birth V's 'Dry Land'

[JODIEhavingababy]

Just wondering how people found both of these methods?

I had DS in a birthing pool and it was fab, but have started to wonder what it would be like to give birth on 'dry land'. Has anyone had any experience of both?

The reason I'm asking is because last time I had to get out of the water to deliver the placenta, but this time Id quite like to have the baby delivered straight to me and start BF ASAP.. Is this possible in the pool?

I suppose the down side of dry land is the pain relief (going to a midwife led unit - nothing other than G & A And pethadine) water was lovely!

Sorry if this is a bit long, but can anyone help?

If you've had physiological 3rd stage (usual for WB where I am), then can't see why you need to get out for placenta. Have also seen women BF in pool (see this month's Practising Midwife cover and article). BF also helps birth placenta if physiological third stage...

I've had both, and the pool birth was by far and away the best experience. I don't recall whether ds2 fed in the pool, but I'm sure I could have fed him had I and he wanted to. He was certainly delivered straight up onto my chest - in fact he ende up on my chest faster than either of my land-birth babies. I don't think any of mine wanted to feed immediately they were born - probably 20min or so later, at the earliest.

I got out to deliver the placenta, but was not rushed out, as far as I remember. I had plenty of time to sit in the water and cuddle ds. I did not enjoy the 3rd stage, found it very uncomfortable and ended up asking for the injection. But I think that's because I was flat on my back and struggling to feed ds in that position. I think that had I been sitting up, or at least in a more comfortable position, it would have been a different matter.

I had managed 3rd stages with all of mine, but made sure that I did not receive the medication until the cords had been cut.

The big thing for me was that with water birth my body was supported and relaxed, and I felt more in touch with my body, and better able to guide the labour in the way I wanted it to go (I deliberately do not say 'control').

Thanks for that, With DS he was whisked off, something to do with his breathing and his colouring (was off my nut on G & A and don't really want to think about what might have been IYKWIM) So it was OK that I had to get out of the pool as he was off being 'seen too' (Everything was alright in the end! )

I was just lying in bed last night, going through all the possible things that could happen (as you do at 38 weeks!) and it never crossed my mind that I might give birth out of the water, so thought I'd ask....

And your right PRETTYCANDLES I do remember feeling almost weightless and it was easier to manouver in the water... I'd forgotten that bit...

I deli=evered in a pool 3 times and placenta =came out in pool

I sat in pool w ith all four and breast fed as well

I've only had dry land. Birthing pool was available but I was so crazy that I'd have felt panicky getting in (I'd tried a bath earlier.)

If deliverring in water was a good experience for you, I'd definitely try and have it available this time.