Have you requested a waterbirth but not had one in the end? Why?

[charleypops]

Ideally I would like a waterbirth, but everytime I mention this to my gp or local midwives, they always say something along the lines of "well, you know, there are lots of things that can happen and you could very easily end up having a completely different type of birth to one of those, so don't set your heart on it".

So, I'm just wondering what these things might be so I can be a bit more prepared should I have to have a different sort of birth... and reasons to not take any notice of.

Thanks

Funny you should mention mobile epidural Charleypops, because that is what I went for once I got out of the pool. And yes they are marvellous. Just be aware though that they can make your pushing contractions 'unproductive' which happened to me. This just meant that for the last 20 mins or so I had a synto drip (I think) to enhance the contractions. I wasn't aware of it and it didn't get in the way and in the end my 2nd stage was only 45 mins anyway.

I had hoped for a waterbirth but my waters broke without labour starting and they found I had strep B so I was on IV antibiotics and induced. To be far to all the lovely midwives and consultants they did all read my birthplan and apologised at regular intervals about how far away from it we were

I wonder if it would be possible to wear a wet pad in plastic pants (attractive image I know!) to soften my perenium when I'm in labour? Maybe that would have a similar benefit to labouring in water? It's good to hear you had a choice franke - trying out the pool, then having a mobile epi. I hope I get the choice of an epi if the pool doesn't work out. Can you control the amount of anaesthetic yourself with a mobile?

thedame and ks - that sounds scary

Mobile epidural? Is their such a thing? I had an epidural and it was horrible, I couldn't feel anything from the waist down and was just stuck on a bed.

I loved my epidural.. I was begging for it. the first one didn't work but the second one was absolute bliss because I was in AGONY!

I had said that I wanted to get through it on gas and air and MAYBE pethidine... but i ended up screaming for anything they had! LOL

I had planned a waterbirth with dd1 and when I got to hospital they put me in a room with a pool. Unfortunately, once I was in the delivery room I felt completely out of control with the pain and the midwives weren't very supportive. Although they knew I had wanted to use the pool they didn't offer me the opportunity and by that point I was in toomcuh pain to ask so just begged for an epidural.
Btw charlepops - I agree with pinkmagic - a "walking epidural" is a bit of misnomer - you have to be constantly monitored and attached to a drip, plus although you may have some feeling in your legs, they will probably not be strong enough to allow you to walk, even if there was anywhere for you to walk to (being all wired up IFSWIM). It's also worth bearing in mind that an epidural is NOT a no-cost option as it increases the risks of further intervention, ie.e ventouse, forceps, even cs - your blood pressure can drop which can affect baby's heartbeat, also it can slow labour down. I was completely unaware of all these things when I had mine 7 years ago as they are promoted as a "miracle pain reliever which has no affect on the baby. Although there are circumstances when they are invaluable I wouldn't have one again unless absolutely necessary.

there wasn't one available...

i had a planned home birth with dd1 and we had a pool at home, even tho we're 30 mins away from nearest hospital. I couldnt wait to get into the water and it was the only time i really relaxed and the pain became less, although i cant say i was in excruciating agony ( UNLIKE DD2!!!) I laboured in the water and it was bliss, i desperately wanted to birth in the water, but unfortunatley the effect of relaxing me also meant that dd1 relaxed and contractions slowed right down. so she was born on land.
dd2 was scheduled to be another water birth but this time in a cottage hospital birthing unit9 due to lack of midwives in the community and no guarentee that when the time came i wouldnt call the hospital fro a mw and them say no one available, you have to come in. ended up having an em c/s as dd2 was short corded, high up and had the cord round her neck so poor little thing she couldnt move anywhere!
I think my advice would be go with what you feel, dont be bullied into anything, by anyone, and try and trust the mw you are with, all the way thru with dd1 , if our mw said stand and rock i did, if she said squat i did. we just tried everything to see what worked and what was comfy. i think the difficulty comes when you have your heart set on a particular plan and for whatever reason things dont quite work out!

had a water labour, not a water birth - getting into water during labour was amazing and really helped me for a while, and am really interested to see MissChief's suggestion about just taking your own pool to the hospital - never thought of that - might try it next time, if any. Anyway, eventually got out because I was terrfied of tearing and the midwife felt she would be able to control things better if she could get closer to the action or whatever. And anyway by that time I was wallowing about and unable to find any position that was any use in the pool, so standing up against the wall was less awful. I did tear but all was well in the end.

Pinkmagic - I did a thread the other day about a walking (or mobile) epidural as I knew next to nothing about them - do a quick search it'll pop up strainght away I'm sure.

Bonym - thanks for your experience of a mobile epidural. I hope if I end up having one I will at least be able to go on all fours. Don't want a full one because of the reasons that you mentioned - it's a fine balance isn't it?

MrsPink - poor you for dd2 - I bet that was a shock for you after such a relatively nice experience with dd1.

Thank you everyone for posting - you've been a big help - guess I'll have to go with flow... At least if it doesn't go the way I wanted, I'll know I'm not being singled out

I'm away now for a few days.

DD1 : hospoital waterbirth room was undergoing necessary work (they said), but neglected to mention this until labour was under way.

DD2: had a homebirth! Used shower then T.E.N.S. instead, though had allowed for a waterbirth.

I am obviously left with the view that the hospital were extremely obstructive and that the community midwives were supportive, encouraging and respectful of my decisions!