Delivering the placenta

[mckenzie]

hi

I'm 37 weeks pg with baby No 2 and planning a home water birth. 2 of the midwives from the team that i am under came to our house today to give it the okay and we had a chat about how things will go. Apparently, the guidelines at the moment are that I will NOT be able to deliver the placenta in the water. I will have to get out once baby is born and either wait for it to happen naturally of have the drug (cant remember what it's called) to bring it on straight away.

2 questions please.

Is this rule the same for all NHS hospitals?

How long is it likely to take if I wait and let it happen naturally (I know breastfeeding can help so I will certainly be trying to get baby to feed asap)?

TIA.

oh and mckenzie - I'd bring down your feeding chair and cover it with a couple of towels and have it right by the pool. IME you don't want to walk too far when you are wet, have just given birth, and are holding a slippery infant who is still attached to you by a thick cord between your legs!

oh and mckenzie - I'd bring down your feeding chair and cover it with a couple of towels and have it right by the pool. IME you don't want to walk too far when you are wet, have just given birth, and are holding a slippery infant who is still attached to you by a thick cord between your legs!

McKenzie,
My second birth was a planned water birth at home with two midwives and my husband present. They told me I would have to get out of the water to deliver the placenta. Hahahaha! Fat chance ladies!!
Once I'd delivered, the last thing they were doing to me was getting me to stand up, never mind out. I delivered the placenta in the water upright kneeling with the midwife waiting for it to arrive, then fish it out.
I would honestly advise go with the flow, but do it your own way when the time comes. You may find that you don't want to deliver in the water after all, you may find that you don't want to get out at all. Either way, it's entirely your choice as it's your home, NOT a hospital!

Oh and BTW I didn't have any injection, and delivered within 15 minutes (w/o bf as ds didn't want it then) and lost only 50 ml of blood (estimated). Go natural, it's what we're designed for after all. Trust your instincts. If you're going for a home water birth, the likelihood is you already know what you want.
Finally, the pain relief of the water is unbelievable!!!

Mckenzie, with my second I had a vbac and delivered the placenta naturally according to DH no more than 5mins after, I had ti ask him as I really don't remember I just assumed I had the injection put he told me it was there ready but I didn't need it! I really can't remember anything after DS was delivered and going to have a bath, he was handed to me and we both fell asleep!!