when cant you have a waterbirth??

[mum2b09]

im 40+4 today and was really hoping i would b able to have a waterbirth when i delivered my baby. obviously i know the pool may not even be available but i have an induction appointment on wednesday (where im from you have an induction appointment at +10) and i should be induced within 24-48 hrs of this appointment.

Does anyone know how far over i will be able to go before they will not let me get in the water. I know i wont be able to get in if im induced but will i be able to get in if i go before im induced?

x

Obviously if there was any kind of risk to my baby of having a waterbirth after 40+10 i wouldnt even consider it anyway was just wondering if theres a limit to how long you can go over and still have a waterbirth x

I am hoping for a water birth at home and have been told that I can do this up to 42 weeks, although an induction will be booked at 41 weeks if nothing seems to be happening. After that induction will be in hospital but a water birth may still be possible for this as long as everything is going well.
You can refuse the induction, obviously not recommended by some medical staff, but as long as the baby has been monitored, isn't in distress and the placenta looks good why not give it a few extra days?
Good luck

There's no such thing as let you!!! you don't have to be induced and there is no reason in your post for you to not have a waterbirth - whether the hospital's pool is free/ready/working is another matter though!

I agree with Starlight, threaten a home waterbirth if they won't give you use of the pool - at whatever gestation - 40+10 is nothing!!! I've been at births where the women were nearly 43wks and had wonderful waterbirths!

Word of warning - I was told I couldn't get in the pool when my waters broke with meconium in them - so there are scenarios where it isn't possible.

I wasn't allowed in the water at 11 days over. The policy at my hospital was not after 10 days over.

starlight- yes as long as labour is brought on after a sweep/pessary/breaking of waters rather than being stuck with a drip.
I am really worried that this might happen, I want my water birth at home!

Yes, very true - but they are meant to be practicing evidence based medicine and AFAIK there is no evidence to suggest NOT using water when postdates. If I were in your situ. I would be requesting a meeting with the consultant midwife/SOM/HOM (note not a consultant) to discuss and asking them to provide me with evidence (not just anecdotal) to back up their policies and getting written agreement that I could use the pool if available (this is where threatening a homebirth comes in handy they are far more likely to agree ).

You could also try involving Beverly Beech at AIMS (www.aims.org.uk) it sounds like the sort of fight she'd love to get her teeth into!