Partners in birthing pools?

[SheWillBeLoved]

I'm a long way off giving birth yet, but have decided that i'm going to try and push for a water birth if at all possible at the hospital i'll be in. I just wondered if it's at all possible to have your partner in the pool with you? Has anyone tried this?

I/we think it'd be nice to have that support inside it instead of everyone standing around me watching, and would also be quite special for him to be the one to 'catch' the baby Any info/experiences much appreciated

bump

It is possible. I've yet to have the partner of a client get in with her but I know others who have.

I do remember a comment from one dad which was "as long as there aren't too many gubbin!"

So... if you want to then yes why not?

My DH was in charge of the seive/fishing, which was as close as he wanted to be!

I had quite a big pool (solid not inflatable)but I'm not sure I'd have wanted him in with me as I was moving around quite a bit.

Good luck if he is willing!

You should check with the hospital, at the one I was with Frimley Park Hospital they did allow partners in however it has been said that a lot of women pre-labour think it is a good idea to have their partners in with them but then at the time change their minds! I never got to try the birth pool but my DH packed his trunks and we were just going to see how I felt at the time. No harm in packing his trunks is there

I've had 3 water births and wanted DP in with me before the first one - during labour changed my mind! needed all the room I could find to move around tbh.
my toddler got in with me last time but once contractions really kicked in I just wanted it all for myself (greedy old bag that I am)
you won't know how you feel until the day so pack his swimmies but play it by ear :0)

I was allowed to have DP in with me if I wanted to and that is what we planned, but by the time it came to it I wanted the pool all to myself!

I would suggest your DP takes some swimming trunks, apparently they don't have to go in with any clothes on, but the MW's prefer it! (My MW hadn't quite got over the last time a man got in there totally starkers!!)

I tried to have a water birth but had to get out in the end as labour wasn't progressing. I assumed that DH would get in with me but he wasn't keen!He just hung on to me at the edge. The midwife said that she hadn't met any partners that wanted to get in too, but there wouldn't have been a problem had he wanted.