please tell me about your experiences of labouring in a birthing pool.

[champs]

please

The pool at my hospital is not plumbed in, so topping up becomes a bit of an ordeal! They topped it up to the right temperature when I said I was ready to push - didn't need to it more than that once as I wasn't in the pool long enough.

Hope you at least get a chance to see if you like it, champs!

That's right Littlefish - pool had to be 37 degrees.

Littlefish -- lol@dh!! something to tease him with for a while. dd sounds like a right little mermaid. waterbirth sounds lovely.
sorry but find the image of poor dh trying to get plug in and you flailing around so funny. Was it the fact that your body was fully imersed in the pool that helped do you think? Only thinking that because you could feel more pain as water drained out.

Miaou -- I hope so too, dreading the pain if I dont get to use pool!! i can not believe how calm and serene you sound having just had baby. Do you think a waterbirth helps you feel very relaxed about the whole experience?

I don't know whether the boyancy somehow absorbs the pain, but it was definitely more painful without the water. Miaou would know more about this because she's had "wet" and "dry" births. In water, my bump felt very "loose" and free, even when I was having contractions, but without the water, it felt really tight and uncomfortable. I've also got really big boobs, and the water meant that they were weightless (floating on the surface if you must know - just to add to the picture of me flailing around!) which took all the pressure off my back as well.

feeling very tempted. Bit uncomfortable about my body though!!!!

Waterbirth was definitely less painful than dry, although I didn't try moving around during the first two, and with the second I had the epidural as soon as I got to hospital. However I do think it had a lot to do with the fact that I felt in control too. There was always a chance that I wouldn't get a waterbirth if the pool was in use, so it was important to me that I didn't set myself up for disappointment IYSWIM. I was prepared to go down the g&a/diamorphine route if needed. Just having thought through the alternatives gave me a feeling of control over events.

lol at the "calm and serene"! - ds is a very chilled baby, so that helps a lot. But yes, I have to say that such a great birthing experience really adds to the postnatal euphoria!

Just had a text from DH. 'dont really fancy a water birth. think a normal one is ok for us'
Feel a bit sad about that...didnt realise i wanted it so much!!!

Mumtosomeone, he's not the one giving birth! If you're interested in a waterbirth, you go for it. Really. Water can be fantastic for pain relief and for giving birth - please don't feel that because your partner doesn't like the idea you should rule it out.

got ages to talk him around only just found out I am expecting!

mumtosomeone -
Who is giving birth here???? This is the one time where you put your foot down and go for what you want! Tell dh he doesn't have to get in with you and get it booked!

mumtosomeone

It's your body doing the giving birth. You make the decisions over where it does it!

Cross posted - well, my partner hated the idea of a home birth and was revolted by the idea I might poo in the water if I hired a pool...but I have to say, it was utterly fantastic, the most amazing experience of my life if I'm honest, and the pool was what made it possible, really.

Fab, fab, fab. Used gas and air. Got out to push though as felt I wanted to be more upright than I was able to be in the pool. If I were to ever have any more (which I'm not!) I wouldn't even countenance not having a pool. It was that good. (Still hurt like hell though )

mumtosomeone - "us"!!!!! Just how does your dh think he is going to give birth???

he is sweet really. we will talk about it. He probably doesnt know much about them!! Bless!!!
I will chat to him!!!
I might go off the idea yet!!!

plus..it is our experience and he has to be comfortable too!

Does he? I mean, if you decide a pool might make you feel more comfortable, what's it going to do to his contractions and dilated cervix?

I've had two dry births - one in hospital and one at home. Am definately planning another homebirth and toying with the idea of hiring a pool. I'm really not sure though. I mean, I don't really like floating around in water, I hate having long baths - feel I have to get out after 10 minutes, and to be honest, it all seems like such a kerfuffle - putting the thing up, filling it etc - I'm not sure either me or my dh could really be bothered. what do you reckon? I think if I went for it and it wasn't the fantastic experience I'd hope for I would be so disappointed, and my last homebirth was okay - I mean, it hurt like hell, but I've done it dry before so I know I can do it again.

Miaou thanks so much for posting about your experience!

Mumtosomeone, DH wasn't too keen on the idea either at first (thought it was weird), but he has seen how keen I am. The local maternity unit only has one birthing pool though, and although DH is quite anti homebirth, he has now suggested that if the pool at the maternity unit is in use we could do a home birth as we have a huge bath (bigger than the one at the maternity unit). He doesn't care about the mess or cleaning up. His view is if I am happy, then he is happy (Lovely Man)

LOL at comments about "our birth" and "his dilations"

we will just have to chat about it. think he will go with whatever i decide. bit i dont see ant point faling out over it.

mumtosomeone -- IKWYM! I am not comfortable with my body either. I will be wearing a vest or tankini top at the very least.
wrt dh, have a talk about why he doesn't like the idea. Maybe he's worried about baby being born in water.
how about going to a waterbirth class together, your hospital should have a free class for you to go to.
I do agrre with the others that you should go for the birth you want.
DH wasn't too excited about the birthing pool when we lookied into it with ds2. But he knows I want to labour in the pool and is behind me.
He is worried about having the baby born in the water though. He knows how much pain I was in and knows water may help.

motherinferior -- was the actual birth very different?

bonym -- thanks!! did you get out while head was crowning? Or before?

RosiePosie -- I'm not sure how relaxed you'd be if you dont really like being in water. And it would be a shame if you got a pool and didn't get to use it.
If you wouldn't mind getting a pool with the idea that you may enjoy it then go for it. I'm not sure if the hiring place does a try before you buy type thing.

KiwiKate -- bless your DH!! I'm hoping that i'm able to get a pool! feel a bit selfish about it.

Champs and mumtosomeone

I'm really not comfortable with my body, but by the time my midwife said I could get in the water I had been having contractions for 4 days and was just so relieved, I stripped off unbelievably quickly (rather like Mr Ben in the cartoons) and almost dived into the water. The relief was immediate, and somehow, being in the water made me feel far less naked because I could feel the water around me. I'm sure I could have worn a t-shirt if I'd wanted too, but the water just felt so lovely and warm and I was soooooo comfortable that I really didn't care.

you do make me laff!! not long to go!

champs - I got out before the head was crowning. Just couldn't seem to get in a good pushing position in the water. Ended up giving birth kneeling on the floor, against the sofa.

Champs - the birth was totally different but then the labour had been too, and the baby didn't have the cord round her like the first awful legs-in-stirrups-emergency-ventouse time...so it's not fair of me really to compare it!