Who here has had/is going to have a water birth?

[Ryuk]

So far I've not looked into it very far, although most of what I've read has been very positive. Although MIL was telling me recently that her niece had one, and it went terribly wrong as there was a lot of tearing, which they didn't know about until afterwards as they couldn't see what was going on under the water and she was in too much pain to get out of the pool. So now I'm slightly put off, although still fairly positive about the idea.

On a slightly unrelated note, so far I've also had one male friend try to argue that I should have a homebirth (have considered it, decided against) and one tell me I should have an elective cesarian as otherwise it'll 'ruin my plumbing'. Anyone else been told any strange stuff?

Mostly interested in hearing water birth information/experiences though!

I hope to have one, but it depends on whether they are all in use at my local hospital on the day or not. They have three, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. reasons for wanting it - pain relief is supposed to be on a par with epidural, I love being in water anyway and I have heard it actively reduces the chances of tearing. Downsides are that you can't use TENS in them (obviously!).

I had dd2 in a birthing pool in our local hospital. For me it was the best of my four labours, more calm, less intervention, less pain and when I delivered dd2'in the water she floated to the surface in such a calm way it was lovely. I wanted a waterbirth each tine but due to a shortage of midwives I only got one.

Hi, yes. 1st baby was a hossy waterbirth. 2nd baby was a home water birth. (3rd baby wouldnt play ball and was a breech c-section) and am due tomorrow with number planning a home water birth again.

I use TENS to 5cm dilated then get into the pool from there on.

I can not recommend a home water birth enough, or water in general for birth to be honest.

A good place to start your research is by reading "New Active Birth" and "The Water Birth Book" both by Janet Balaskas. Janet is a pioneer for natural birth and the books are both very balanced but inspiring at the same time. They are the reason I tried water - and I wouldnt birth any other way given half a choice.

Happy researching, my births have been the best and most empowering moments of my life.

Julie x

I had DS in the birthing pool in the consultant unit of my local hosp 7 weeks ago.

It was FAB!

First baby (DD) long labour, epidural, long pushing stage and a 3rd degree tear

This time, less that 5 hrs start to finish, 2nd degree tear, soooo much better than last time

The midwife didn't even put her gloves on just sat next to the pool, as DS was born I lifted him up and his head out of the water and then DH cut the cord. I got out to deliver the placenta.

I was in the pool for about 2 hours, had to get out a one point as they were worried as I had a bit of bleeding, but it turned out to be just cos I was fully dilated so I jumped back in the pool.

I didn't have any other pain relief but could have had entonox if I had wanted.

I can honestly say it was the best experience ever and I would have repeated it the next day if needed.

If we were planning any more children it is definately what I would choose next time.

Have a look on youtube cos their are some waterbirth videos to prepare yourself

I would like one (due in 4 weeks) but am trying not to get my hopes up in case there is no pool available on the day. I don't know why anyone wouldn't choose one if they are low risk - it sounds great! I am a total water baby - I love baths, swimming, hot tubs, jacuzzis, anything that involves being in water, so it sounds perfect to me and I can imagine I'll be much calmer.

I'm hoping for a home water birth for my 1st which is due in 5 weeks but haven't yet been able to have a conversation with my midwife about it.

Like Emster30 I love being in water and always feel more relaxed in the bath - just need to find a way to re-arrange my living room to fit the pool in.

I have only heard good things. Planned a hospital water birth for DD1 but unfortunately when I got in to hospital my waters broke and there was meconium, so you aren't allowed a water birth. On a positive note DD was born only an hour after arriving at hospital so it was a lovely experience anyway. Just prepare for the fact that it might not happen.

Had a homebirth for DD2 and I can highly recommend that too!

I had one in the birthing centre. Have to say that I was slightly devastated when I first went into the water as it didn't relieve the pain half as much as I had imagined it would(I'd found water so comforting during preg).

However, I didn't want to get out once I was in and just had to leave the pool for the very last push as the midwives needed to pop a tiny bit of sack that was in the way of baby coming out - she came out in about one push after that.

I didn't have any complications and only a very tiny tear.

So yes, I do recommend it and want to go in the pool this time if I can but just thought I'd warn you of my initial reaction - esp as people do rave about pools/ can give a bit of an unrealistic hope compared to the reality.

Thanks for the responses so far. It's good to hear so many positive experiences.

LunaticFringe, I love the idea of candle lighting, it's so much more relaxing than normal light. Also probably having a hospital brith though so not sure they'd allow candles. I should probably ask.

hopperdee, will keep that in mind! I seem to be varying from quite worried about the pain to extreme confidence - I will try to keep an optimistic but also realistic view!

How much floating poo is involved, though? A lot according to some threads I've read. That puts me off a bit!

Never say never - but I didn't poo either time.

(Although I did make a conscious effort to visit the loo both times in early labour) x

I had a water birth 8 weeks ago. Took them ages to run it and get to exactly the right temperature, then I merrily stripped off all my clothes and jumped in. It didn't do anything for the pain directly, but it hurt whenever I moved, and when I was in the pool moving was so much easier IYSWIM. Did the whole thing in a couple of hours on gas and air - my first BTW. I pooed lots and lots and lots but I really didn't care and the MWs kept fishing it out. Baby born underwater too, and I cut the cord as DP didn't want to. Chilled out in the pool for a few minutes then got out to deliver the placenta - they couldn't tell how much I was bleeding. Had a bit of tearing and a wee PPH but hey, its all worth it Definetly go for it if you have the chance!

I had a home waterbirth (VBAC) with dc3. I really recommend it - I didn't have the option of gas and air because I'm in the US but between the doula and the water I coped without. No tearing at all.

Good luck whatever you choose but water really is very comforting.

I had a great water birth in a birth centre (first birth). Tiny bit of tearing which barely needed a stitch. No pooing (though I wouldn't have cared), I had had several trips to the loo in early labour at home for a good clear out, which is quite common apparently.
I found it wonderful for the pain and also for creating a private space for me to get on and labour.

I've had 2 waterbirths now, both were great. The first was a bit better in that I got into the pool as soon as I was 5cm, the second labour went a bit faster towards the end so I only had about half an hour in the pool. The main advantage for me was being able to move around freely to be as comfortable as I needed to be. I really enjoyed the gas and air, too!

I didn;t get the waterbirth I hoped for, as my LO was a month early and they were having to continually monitor me. But they did let me get in the pool for a couple of hours when I was between 8 and 9cms and it was absolutely brilliant - could move around (previously had to be standing on tiptoes and leaning over bed during contractions, bizarrely) and the pain relief factor was fantastic.

Then they made me get out, which was possibly hardest thing I had to do in life! But they couldn't find baby's heartbeat clearly, so no option.

So, my advice:

1. don't get fixated on birth plan - I was bitterly disappointed not to be able to have her in pool, put my labour back a couple of hours, I am convinced. How many pools are available in your area? Hiring one and staying at home is only way to guarantee

1. Pain relief element of water worked brilliantly for me.

1. All the things I worried about, like wet hair annoying me, getting cold, poo in water etc either didn't happen or didn't worry me

good luck!

I had dd at home in a pool right next to where I'm sat right now tbh I'd planned to use the pool for pain relief and physical support, but once the pushing started there was no way I was going to be able to get out of the water!

The midwife had a little mirror that she used to check everything was ok, and I didn't have to get out for examinations or anything like that, when she listened to the baby I just got up on my knees a bit higher. I had no tears, no grazes, I think it's because after 2.5 hours in the water everything had had plenty of time to stretch and soften. And no poos either! It really was about the most ideal birth experience I could have dreamed of.

Had water birth at home 12 days ago, it was wonderful. Small tear but didn't need stitching, and it didn't hurt me at all to sit even the next day. I didn't even have any internal exams as labour suddenly sped up at about midnight and we only just got the pool filled in time. I didn't realise but was probably in transition when we decided to call mws and gave birth 45 mins later. I couldn't have asked for a better experience (had not really expected to be able to birth in water as had had to get out during my first labour as it had slowed things down, then ended up transferring to hosp due to meconium).
Poo - probably there was some in there but didn't really care! If you're going to poo, it isn't going to be pretty on land or in water is it!
Placenta was delivered in water as well about 10 mins after birth.
Baby took a moment to pink up and squeal - mw said that is because the birth into water is more gentle/gradual than air so it is to be expected.

I wanted a water birth for DS and the pool was available but the water just slowed my contractions down and the water was quite hot and it made me a bit dizzy and nauseous.

I was planning to get back in the pool when I was fully dilated to do the second stage but there wasn't time (4 minutes and 2 pushes to get my 10lb 5oz baby out )

Thanks everyone for all the info!
I am 13+1 and think water is the way forward - this is my first and Im excited about all of it even the painful bits!
Can anyone give me any ideas about a back up plan if a pool isnt available at the hospital as I wouldnt feel comfortable being at home to give birth but equally I dont fancy being totally out of it and not know/feeling whats going on!
Thanks lots

Had a water birth with dd1. It was superb, had gas and air towards the end, no tearing, held baby before anyone else, natural 3rd stage...short labour and pushing part was just 40mins....but I know I pooped because I smelled it! Mw never said a word, nor did dp but Even through the entonox fuzz I saw him see it and he was a bit icky innthe face! And he's a doctor!! I didn't care though, aware yes, care, not a s@£t! So normal and not worth worrying........but........despite my
Good exp....balanced view means.......

I got soooooo tired dp had to hold me above water, my pool was old one at hops with no seat. I was prob about 6cm when got in so didn't slow me down but this time I wouldn't get in so soon I don't think....am worried after reading about tearing and had not really thought much before about what the mw can't see down there, I know mine had a mirror but even so! Am wondering if being active this time with bed for rest or option of pool later maybe best.....am due next week....just keeping an open mind for now.

Does anyone know why on the list of pools available from this site www.birthpoolinabox.co.uk/ two of the three are down as 'single use'? Does that mean if I find oen second hand it won't be useable, or is it just the company trying to encourage people to buy new ones?

www.birthpoolinabox.co.uk/