Water birth

[Overtiredmum]

Ok I have decided on home waterbirth, am very excited. Am 35 weeks and all going well. I was talking to my friend the other day, who had a waterbirth in hospital, she said it was fantastic BUT unbearably hot.................... now my problem, I can't stand hot baths, silly question but will it be "taking my breath away" hot or will I be able to get into the pool when its relatively warm and then add to make it up to the relevant temp?

Mine wasn't unbearably hot. I love hot baths, and the pool wasn't as hot as my hot baths are.

I usually hate baths but this pregnancy I just love them and have been having 2 a day! Its just the heat I can't deal with, I normally run a bath so its pleasantly warm and then when ready I add more hot. My friend also told me a water birth is hard work.......... I thought they are supposed to be more relaxing and easier?? Is it just one of those things that depends on the individual?

I can't really get my head around the idea of describing labour as relaxing! The reason I thought it was brilliant was that it is great pain relief. And it can help to slow down the final stage and prevent tearing. But not sure about relaxing and easier. I thought it was pretty hard, but I don't think I would have coped nearly so well without the water.

I meant in a pain relieving sort of way!! I was given an epidural last time and don't want that again, which is one of the reasons why I am going for a homebirth but having read all the stories on water births I thought I may as well give that a try and go the whole hog !!

I must admit my biggest fear is tearing again and needing stitching again. Can't get my head around perineal (sp??) massage, so hopefully water will help.

So I am just panicking by the sounds of it?? My friend made it sound like it was so hot it would burn my skin off!

Good luck with it! I hope it goes perfectly.

So body temp is 36.5 yes?? I think it would probably be quite obvious but I guess I can try the temp out in the bath and see how I do with it...............

I had a WB for DD2 and found it really helped my ctx along and the pushing stage much much easier. It wasn't hot at all as they have to keep the temperature at body temperature so that the baby doesn't get a shock when it pops out. I didn't find there was much pain relief from being in the water. It was just much easier to put myself in the right position and I was in control of the whole thing.

All of that and I had a 9lb 10 baby and got away with no tearing / grazing so I am definately planning a home WB for DC3 due in the next 4 weeks.

Good luck