A question on waterbirth

[CandyPop]

Very interested in a waterbirth...BUT worried about pooing in the water!

i know they provide nets if accidents happen BUT what if its running??!!!!

This is the only thing thats putting me off......

and what if i cant take the pain anymore and need an epidural? can i change my mind and come out and have one?

I'm trying to be more open minded now..... my initial birthing plan was PANIC and EPIDURAL... but now open to other suggestions

Yes you can change your mind and come out and ask for an epidural. (of course you may not get one if no anaesthetist is available but that is true whether you start off in the water or not).

Poo ... I would think the chances of a runny poo in the water are fairly small as a) pregnancy tends to constipate and b) I'd expect anything runny would be pushed out in the early stages while you can still get to the loo/before you get in the water.

No personal experience myself but I'm interested in the answers as I'm wanting a waterbirth myself.

Oh and I'm sure whatever happens the midwives will have seen it all before

I tried the pool but got out because I wanted perthidine (which I can highly recommend ) so you can get out whenever you want. I didn't poo (as far as I know!) but they fished out some clots with their little net so I imagine it'd be the same.

minipie not as concerned about ppl seeing my poo but more concerned with me bathing in my poo

I had a waterbirth - pushed in water for about an hour before baby finally came out (big head) - would not have noticed or cared at the time if there had been poo, and I didn't notice any other fishing either, but out of curiosity I asked afterwards whether there had been and they said no....

You may (TMI) have diarrhoea before labour. It's quite usual for your body to have a clear out before labour. Glamorous business isn't it?!
I had a water birth with my first. Great pain relief. If you get in and hate it you can always get out. Discuss options with your midwife and good luck!
PS my son was 9lbs and back to back. I wouldn't have noticed if I'd had a poo the size of a football!