Water birth!?

[sophiejoandbump]

Hi all, I am 38+4 and I am thinking of having a water birth, I really want it although I am going in with an open mind I would like to go with nothing but gas and air, and I am even hoping to go without that if I am in the water, but obviously I dont know how much pain I will be in and how well I will cope ect...
Was just wondering if any of you are planning on having a water birth or have had a water birth before and whether it did anything to help ease the pain!? I am so nervous about labour, more nervous than I am about actually being a mum.

Thanks in advance for the answers x

My DS was born in water, although I only got in (to the pool) quite late on as at the hospital they would not allow anyone to use G&A at the same time as the pool (due to H&S) - until I read this thread I thought that was standard policy. The water did help with the pain a bit but TBH the combination of TENS and G&A worked better for me.

I could write whole essay on DS's birth, it was really wonderful - had done hypnobirthing as preparation, got to hospital in v calm state at 10pm hardly appeared to be in labour, laboured with G&A/tens for around an hour and half and then got into pool. Pushed him out v slowly and didn't tear. No one was near pool so I had my own space. I picked him out of pool myself. He was born at midnight.

Am hoping for home waterbirth for DC3.

I had DD#3 in the water and it was definately the best of my 3 deliveries. I used tens and natal hypnotherapy techniques until I was 9cm, then water and gas and air for the last bit. It didn't do a huge amount for the pain, but it helped me feel like I had my own space and it was SO much easier to get in a good position to deliver her. I also had far less tearing than I had with #1 or #2 who were both born "on dry land".
I highly recommend it.

I had DS in water and it was a wonderful experience. I didn't have G&A but found the water to give excellent pain relief; it cut the pain in half for me compared to time spent on land. I did have a weird freak out in transition where I thought I was a mermaid being kept in captivity but i'd repeat what others have said that watching our baby "swim" up to meet me (he had his eyes open and looked like a little frog! )and picking him out of the water was lovely.
good luck with your birth whatever you decide

I had a waterbirth with gas and air in a midwife-led birth centre. The water definitely helped with the pain - before I got in the pool I was on the gas and air but still struggling. Once I got in the pool I just had a feeling of 'aaaaahhhhhh!', it was such a relief! DD was born 3 hours later with no problems.

I think being in a birth centre helped too, it was a lovely calm environment, and I had the same midwife with me the whole way through, the lighting was dim and we had music playing. The aftercare was fab too, DH could stay overnight, no visiting restrictions, private room, and all on the NHS! Definitely go for a birthing centre if you can.

had 2 loved it, felt like getting into liquid gold pain relief, I feel it relaxed me enough to give birth naturally

i laboured in the pool and it was great. That combined with the gas and air was way better than any other pain relief they gave me. Could not acually deliver in the pool as dd got a bit stuck and in the end needed an assisted delivery, but would recommend the pool without reservation. It was brill!! and gas and air did not make me sick...just made me feel very drunk at first, but then really helped with the pain.
Good luck!