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

[champs]

please

Champs, you are allowed to be selfish when it comes to your baby's birth! After all, it is a time when you are supposed to think of yourself - the more comfortable you can make yourself the less stressed you'll be, and (hopefully) the easier birth you'll have. That's got to be good for you and the baby and your H.

Haven't had time to read everyone else's, so forgive me if I repeat some points! I had a horrid first delivery in hospital, lying on my back trying to dig my toes under the end of the bed to have something to push against, hooked up to machines etc - something I never wanted to repeat.
I had my second child at home in a birthing pool and although it hurt just as much, the whole experience was much better. The key thing for me about labouring in water is that when you get a contraction, you can move into a more comfortable position very easily. If you have a contraction on 'dry land' and you aren't on your feet, you find yourself pinned down in a chair until it passes - unbearable. Shudder. It was also such a luxurious experience, sitting up to your neck in deliciously warm and comforting water. I am sure it was what we were intended to do. I read Elaine Morgan's The Naked Ape when I was a lot younger, and it has always stuck with me.

how soon do you get in the pool?

It's such a long time ago (only 2 years really, but I do tend to delete the memories that aren't so nice). I think I was only allowed in about 3 or 4 hours before the end? The midwives tend not to like you spending the whole time in there because it can slow the labour up. And you'd end up like a shrivelled old prune. Mind you, after 4 hours in the water, I suppose I was like one anyway. Can't remember, but presume it was low on the list of things to care about, iyswim...

well with the last one I wasnt at hospital that long before the birth i dont think!! so Do you need to be so many cms?

I really can't remember but I suppose that must be the way they measure it. I have a vague memory that I was 5cms but this could be wrong. Mears will know if she gets on this thread!

I think I was 5cm too, but I also seem to remember Mears replying to a similar question. I think she said that you can get in at any time, but it may slow up your contractions so you may need to get out again to get things going. If she's around, I'm sure she'll confirm this - I would hate to misquote her and give you wrong information.

It used to be thought you should not go into the pool before 5cm but that is no longer the case. The time to go into the pool is when you feel you need help coping with the pain. If you go in too soon the contractions can fade away. If that happens you just get out again and mobilise till they return. We do not have a minimum number of centimetres that you have to be dilated, howver it is better to wait till the contractions are pretty intense before getting in to really feel the benefit.

Thanks for your helpful comment, Mears. It hadn't occurred to me that there might be a preferred time for getting into the pool. This is good to know in advance.

Hi all thanks for all the posts, only just come back on tto MN.

bonym -- thanks, have this odd image of jumping out with baba half out, I suppose if it gets that far, I'd just go for it and give birth in the pool.

motherinferior -- thanks, am glad you had the nice experience after the horrid one.

KiwiKate -- ty!! I think I'll tell them to get pool ready when i call to say I'm in labour as I and docs expect this one to go quickly.

Cha -- thanks for your input. I hope the water will make me feel less heavy and able to move around.

thanks mears!!

Tee hee. I was having a natural birth, birthing pool rented and correct, music chosen and plenty of correct essential oils. Nothing went to plan, pool was left sitting in car in box, i took every drug i could get and baby delivered in the normal manner both mother and baby well. It still makes my DH laugh, the time spent collecting the pool and testing it. Buying the mirror oh and dont forget the seive!!!!!!! Squeezing it in the boot to take to the Hospital.

sounds like my labour with ds2, I had all things planned, stand up, walk around etc. but spent whole time lying in bed growling like a girrafe!

haven't read thread. Gave birth in a birthing pool in hospital. The first dip was heavenly, such a relief, but as my labour lasted 17 hours the effect wore off! But, it did help having the contrast of getting in & out - nice hot bath, or cold refreshing air.
Sounds odd to say that other than the panic when pushing started & when 3 hours later dd still hadn't come out, I actually look back on it as fairly relaxing/peaceful! Well worth it!

thanks Lizita!! was she your first? long labour!

Yes she was my first.

Caught a glimpse of someone saying they wee'd and poo'ed in the pool. Me too -- well, didn't wee, had to have a catheter cos for some reason I couldn't, but i did poo but i always forget that i did, was too ...engrossed i guess... to really notice it. Weird. Very weird the whole thing when u think about it . I had several trainee midwives come in & out throughout the labour, all those poeple watching me naked & in agony!! Did it really happen????

Lizita -- we do seem to blot a lot of labour out! must be a survival mechanism, to keep us having more

Yes that must be it. During dd's first year I hardly thought about it at all, and was also really positive about having a 2nd baby one day. Now I'm not so keen on having a 2nd baby, I have started to think about the reality of labour more! I'm sure if I ever settle down with my boyf and want another child, I'll be back to blocking it out!