When is it best to get in the birthing pool?

[BellaBalloon]

I will be at home, touch wood, and have a tens machine and have heard that if you get in the water too soon it slows it all down.
So what is the optimal time? Just when you can't take it any more?

I arrived at hospital 6cm dilated. After a while (when I couldn't take it any longer, like you mentioned!) I got into the pool and, yes, it did slow things down. Having said that, it was lovely while I was in. Probably too lovely and got me all nice and relaxed, baby too so he thought he'd stay put for a wee while longer!

Baby arrived 12 hours later. (Not in the pool I hasten to add!)

Go with the advice of your midwife and I imagine if your at home you can get in and out. Unfortunately I couldn't get back in as there were 2 other women forming a queue behind me!

I had a fab HB in water, and hope you do too! I didn't get in until about 40 mins before DD arrived, mainly because we didn't call the MW back until I was 6 cm (didn't know that til she examined me) and DH only started filling int then (had heard it wasn't worth filling til 5 cm or more as they don't advise getting in earlier than that. As I then went really quickly I didn't get a slong in it as I would have liked, it was so soothing and the pain relief was marked. Can't imagine doing that last bit on dry land. Next time I will be getting it all ready much earlier so I can get in as soon as I am far enough dilated. It didn't slow me down at all, maybe because I was so far gone already? Good luck!!

In my first labour, I was told by midwives not to get in until nearly at pushing stage, so I relied heavily on TENS.

I was at a different hospital for my second, and they filled the pool for me as soon as I arrived. I got straight in and yes, it did slow things down, but the midwife told me that was fine. After a while when I started to get a bit too woozy and things were getting very slow, I got out and moved around and speeded it up again. Then I got back in again after my waters broke for the pushing stage. I never needed the TENS machine at all.

I think my lovely midwife was absolutely right in her view that there is no harm in slowing things down a bit to make things easier on you and let you have a rest, as long as you get out when you want to get things properly going again.

Thanks for your replies.
It seems to be that you just go with the flow then a bit...trust your instincts etc.
Still can't get my head around the fact that I am actually going to go into labour very soon and have a baby.

how exciting. I almost wish I was doing it all over again now!

I had the most fantastic unplanned water birth.

DS2 arrived an hour after getting to hospital. I was 7.5 cm dilated when first examined. Was only in the pool for about 30 minute before he arrived. The midwife had suggested using the pool and it really helped pain and to relax me. That and fabulous gas and air! Certainly didn't seem to slow me down.

It really was a great labour and birth (as much as it can be of course!)

Good luck with it