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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

thinking of a waterbirth? do they REALLY reduce the pain? experiences?

100 replies

needsanswers · 30/07/2011 02:15

hi there, im currently 20weeks with number 2, 1st labour was litter ally traumatizing for me, i had nightmares for months and even my new midwife said i have 1 hell of a story and its unlikely for me to get a labour like that again.. anyway i have hurd alot of stories about water births and how they are ment to reduce the pain? some people tend to agree and some tend to think it slows labour down? i dont think i actually want to have the baby in the water but i would like to spend a majority of my labour in the pool with just G&A as pain relief, has anyone had any experiences with a 'normal' birth and then a waterbirth? would really love to get some feedback..

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RedHotPokers · 30/07/2011 18:09

I LOVED the pool too. Helped amazingly with pain with DC1. Think possibly it slowed things down a bit, but slightly slower and less pain is the better choice imo. No time for water birth with DC2 unfortunately. I was gutted when they told me he was coming too quick, but he was out 5mins later so they were right.

Downsides to pool: having to get out after baby's born! Floating poo !

RedHotPokers · 30/07/2011 18:11

Totally agree with Loopymumsy that it feels more private - and also slightly surreal and kind of serene/peaceful (if you ignore the screaming, wailing and grunting) IYSWIM.

FessaEst · 30/07/2011 18:53

I can't compare to non-water, as have had both DDs in water. IME the warm water made a massive difference to the pain, the sensation of the contractions and my ability to cope. With DD2 (only 12 days old!) I got it at the point that I felt I could no longer cope with contractions (HB and MW hadn't arrived with G&A) and it made a hiiige difference. I calmed down and felt back in control. Each time, I have lifted my baby out of the water, and the pool has felt like "my space". I can't imagine doing it any other way!

sproggaaaaah · 30/07/2011 19:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cherub59 · 30/07/2011 19:52

For ds1 had tens then water pool and gas and air. Was back to back so v painful but manageable. Water made a massive difference as was much freer to move with bodyweight supported. I found being on a bed/chair sooooo painful! Ds1 ended up being ventouse in the end.

Ds2 hospital was too busy so couldn't have the pool and horrible midwife just wanted to pin me to the bed which was very uncomfortable.

Ds3 was again in the water and he was born in the water. Again it made a massive difference and had just gas and air. Only in 15 mins before he was born! Again the water really supports you and let's you get in a comfortable position (if there is such a thing in childbirth)

beanlet · 30/07/2011 19:56

YES. They are flipping awesome. If I ever have another baby it will almost certainly have to be an ELCS because of last time I want a water birth. It was the only thing that really took the edge off the pain. Tho unfortunately it also slowed down an already way too slow labour. But pain relief - better than gas and air.

Splinterbottom · 30/07/2011 20:02

My second was a water birth and I highly recommend it. I wasn't planning on having one - I wanted drugs and more drugs - but it was too late for an epidural by the time I got to hospital so the midwife suggested I try the pool. The contractions still hurt a lot but they were manageable. Got out of the pool once to use the loo and ended up screaming on the bathroom floor - got back into the pool and they were instantly manageable again.

BlameItOnTheBogey · 30/07/2011 20:04

Can I add that I really think the NCT teacher who said it was like an epidural is being disingenuous and potentially setting people up for a big disappointment. Water (although it didn't work for me) can clearly really help some people but I don't think anyone would claim that it totally takes the pain away.

AnaisB · 30/07/2011 20:21

Getting into the pool felt amazing - helped with the pain and made me more relaxed. Only downside was DH having to fish out my poo with a sieve. (I offered to take over, but I accidentally freed all the poo that he'd already caught so he had to start again.)

RedHotPokers · 30/07/2011 20:27

PMSL AnaisB. Its a glamorous experience isn't it?!

DitaVonCheese · 30/07/2011 20:30

I was booked for a home water birth with DD but a combination of staffing issues/my waters breaking early meant that I wasn't allowed either I did labour in the bath for a while, which was allowed, and was 7 cm by the time we got to hospital. Then ended up pushing on my back for 90 minutes and having a second degree tear plus stitches that went wrong and developed into a haematoma. I found the bath fantastic (DD had gone back to back so had lots of back pain, though didn't know why until got to hospital and was examined) and was pretty gutted not to get a water birth.

Had DS on Sunday and this time did get to have a home water birth, which was fantastic Again laboured in the bath until I decided I needed G&A and called the MW. She arrived and confirmed I was 6-8 cm so I hopped in the pool. Contractions were much stronger, though probably because my waters had gone during the VE and apparently VE makes the next few contractions more intense. Loved being able to change position easily and reached transition very quickly. Transition was pretty horrible because I was panicky and thought I couldn't cope but also was aware it was just transition so manageable. With DD I clung to the G&A like a drowning woman clinging to a life preserver and have been miffed for years that the MW made me stop having it for the pushing stage, with DS I voluntarily gave it up so I could focus and the (brief) pushing stage was completely pain free (except for the crowning). Perineum intact, no stitches - can't tell you what a difference that has made to the first week of DS's life and my general disposition :)

outthere the water did get quite disgusting - lots of vernix came out with/just before DS and there was a gush of blood too, possibly my placenta coming away as my third stage was incredibly fast - but I got to snuggle in bed with DS while DH cleaned it all up

motherinferior · 30/07/2011 20:30

I actually did find that it stopped the burning sensation of crowning (I got in just as DD2's head was crowning and I was starting to burn). I had one whopping great contraction, thought 'this isn't helping' (but didn't realise the burning sensation had gone) and then pushed out the head and then the whole baby. I was in the water for, oooh, two minutes? But it was utterly worth while, for me.

AfriBaby · 30/07/2011 20:54

Would recommend it, and if I have another, would go for a waterbirth again. No drugs, no G&A, lots of bellowing like a....I don't know, great big bellowing thing, but all in all a great experience. Certainly doesn't take the pain away though (see above on bellowing). Best of luck whatever you decide!

edwinbear · 30/07/2011 20:59

Such lovely positive experiences. I'm hoping for a water birth with DC2 after a shocking birth with DS. My midwife has told me about one she did where the lady had a snorkel and did lots of it underwater, which as a diver, I think sounds awesome. So I shall be going into hospital with a snorkel and possibly a face mask - I'm expecting some funny looks!

JumpJockey · 30/07/2011 21:30

I had a home water birth with dd1, and it was as good an experience as you could hope for. Got in after about 3 hours of contractions getting closer, immediate pain relief in that I love a good bath at the best of times, it was a bit like when you put a hot water bottle on your back for period pains or press an achy forehead. O viously crowning was still painful, and the contactions were hard work, but I never felt that I couldn't cope. MW was very hands off and just used a mirror to check on things from time to time, pushing stage lasted about an hour, and dd and I stayed in until placenta had come out. No idea how horrid the water was, DH did the emptying while we had a snooze in the bed upstairs but he maintains not too vile!

JumpJockey · 30/07/2011 21:30

Should add, we had planned the same for dd2 but she came a month early so not possible. If there was ever a dc3 i would definitely try for hb and/or water.

SeniorWrangler · 30/07/2011 21:35

Had one epidural followed by three water births. I am one of those people who found them much more effective than an epidural. Once I made the mistake of getting in a bit too early and labour stopped for a day! So make sure it's just for a couple of hours or so at the end. Mess wasn't too bad and easily dealt with by DH.

crikeybadger · 30/07/2011 21:36

Here's an interesting article from the Analytical Armadillo about waterbirth and breastfeeding. Makes interesting reading I think.

LadyOfTheManor · 30/07/2011 21:36

I'm 23 weeks with my second. I had a home birth with the first, and while I had a pool at home, once in labour I refused point blank to get into it!

Fully intend on having another home birth (no tears, 3 hours and a bit from start to finish, no pain relief) but will not be wasting money on a pool this time! I was quite happy on the floor and on the bed.

lollystix · 30/07/2011 22:05

Had one for third labour and so want one for my fourth. The pain relief it gives was significant. I managed on g @a whereas others were morphine/pethidine. Got in about 5-6cm and he arrived about 2 hours later. 1st degree tear. Would really recommend it.

Supersunnyday · 30/07/2011 22:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gallicgirl · 30/07/2011 22:21

had HB with 1st DC and didn't fancy the idea of a water pool.

Used TENS machine and gas & air. It was all getting a bit much when I got to around 8 cm dilated so got into the bath which really helped and I managed the next 2cm fairly easily using just gas & air. I was surprised how much it did ease the contractions.

I only got out because I was fed up of labouring and wanted to see if I'd got to 10cm yet so my waters could be broken. Would definitely try for a water birth if I have another. Interested to hear it helps with pain of crowning - think it was around then I refused to push!

skewiff · 30/07/2011 22:21

Hello,

I had a 'normal' birth with my second child and a waterbirth with my first.

I would have chosen a waterbirth the second time round, but was induced so they would not let me.

The waterbirth was by far the least painful of the two - with second birth I had no pain relief though.

I don't think you would need gas and air if you had a waterbirth.

It did slow my labour down I think, but then again this was my first time for giving birth so my body didn't know what it was doing.

I think for someone giving birth for the second time it could be lovely.

zzzzz · 30/07/2011 22:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Wholelottalove · 30/07/2011 22:26

I had a home waterbirth for DS and whilst the first time I got in the pool I found it very comforting and helped ease the couple of contractions I had in the pool, it unfortunately stopped my labour dead - waited 20mins for another contraction and nothing until I got out and then they came back. I used a TENS for most of the labour (my second OP labour) and can't recommend it highly enough. In fact, when I went into transition and decided to get back in pool and onto G&A I missed the TENS. Even thought about getting back out to get my TENS back, but DS made a pretty swift entrance! I was glad I was in the pool as he was born very fast and I didn't need any stitches.

All in all though, I was coping pretty well on dry land and the pool probably wasn't really worth the hassle for the 10 mins or so I spent in it!

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