tell me about using a bath during birth

[longlegted]

I ave had 2 hbs and am hoping to have a 3rd, due in April. I labour quite quickly and have used gas and air. I'd quite like to not use gand a this time if poss as it makes me so out of it. So, does a bath help with pain? what temperature do you have it and what positions are possible/ comfortable or are we just taliking about lying down? Any experience would be great.

I've had one hb - used the bath a fair bit, but it was first labour so not quick!

I had bath early on in labour to relax a bit, and to check whether cx went away (they didn't). Bunged a few drops of lavender in the water too. Then after labouring overnight MW suggested another bath to get things moving. We have a corner bath so I ended up almost lying on my side curled up in a foetal position, ducking down as far as poss during cx. DH was on hand to make sure that I didn't actually drown!

I filled the bath as deep as I could get it (to the overflow) and had it around blood heat, 37 degrees-ish. HTH

I went into the bath with ds2 and I found it really helped. Stayed in right up until I was fully dilated and only then did I feel I really needed the gas and air, and got out to go to a room rather than deliver in the bath.
I found the best position was on my knees in the bath, leaning over the end with my elbows on the edge of the bath if that makes sense!

get your dh to pour water over your bump/lower back with each contraction, it is distracting and changes the sensation of the pain

i had tens, then went in bath i only got out as i was starting to get the urge to push and was alone with dh so was scared baby might drown, if a mw been there i would have stayed in longer

Thanks for replies. Maybe I should try out the bath in the few weeks before to see what is possible!
Did you have an urge to get in the bath or was it preplanned iyswim? It didn't cross my mind in my previus births, but perhaps that was because i hadn't planned it.

I got in the bath because the birthing pool was in use and I was hoping it would help with the pain (had tried using Tens but found it made my cx stronger!)

Baths are wonderful for pain relief but be warned...warm water speeds up dilation so if you've had quick births in the past you may want to bear this in mind.
Have it fairly warm, you can keep topping up with hot water as you feel the need too. I found for my 2nd (HB also) it was a real help, and before that a hot water bottle on my back or tummy meant I experienced almost no pain.