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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Would Like Your Waterbirth Questions and Experiences Please!

17 replies

LaurenCaddy · 02/12/2012 22:34

I didn't think i'd be able to have a water birth due to being placed under the care of a consultant, but he has basically said i'm all good and can go back to the normal care of my midwife (when i actually see her), and a water birth should be all good for me, unless anything happens before the end of my pregnancy like going into labour before a certain date or blood pressure issues ect.

So i'm just wondering has anyone had a water birth (or water labour) before and tell me a bit about there experiance of it. Pros/Cons ect.

Many Thanks
:D

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orangebubbles · 02/12/2012 22:45

I had a home water birth with no drugs in sight. You will need to consider that as no epi with a water birth. It was perfect, a beautiful way to labour as the water really does comfort you. Baby was born and I collected her in my arms and held her to my chest, we just stayed in the water and baby was so serene. Just a note, they won't let you in until your about 5cm dilated (from memory, someone will correct if wrong), As getting in too soon can slow or stop labour. There are no con's for me.

ThreeWheelsGood · 02/12/2012 23:39

I used the water pool at the midwife-led unit and it was WONDERFUL! Couldn't get comfortable in any positions outside the water. The water relaxed me so much I went from 5cm dilated to fully dilated/getting urge to push in what felt like minutes - this was after days in latent phase of labour so it was such a relief. I just used gas and air and felt very in control of everything. My partner was able to help me by passing me water to sip, holding the gas and air tube, and holding on to me when I was actually pushing the baby out! I had such a positive birth, I can't imagine how it'd have been if not a water birth.

HeffalumpsAndWoozles · 03/12/2012 00:03

Another one here with no cons.

DD1 was a very medicalised induction, the whole way through all I could think was "I know this would be easier in water" and I did everything I could to make sure I got my water birth with DD2.

I wasn't disappointed, it was even better than I had expected. The minute I was immersed the relief was amazing, and for me the best thing was the weightlessness as out of the pool I just couldnt find a position I could hold for more than two minutes. I can honestly say it was a perfect birth, such a wonderful relaxed experience, and when she was out I could just pick her up straight away and hold her to my chest for as long as I wanted.

Things to consider would be:
-your approach to pain relief, most MLUs will only have G&A (although I think some can administer pethidine you won't be allowed in the water then anyway)
-how squeamish you are as the water will make a little look like a lot

if you want the injection to deliver the placenta, I was allowed to stay in the pool for this but I've heard some only allow natural delivery of the placenta in the pool

-whether you want to deliver in the pool (I highly recommend!) or just use for pain relief and need to make sure you give yourself time to get out

Also be aware that some people just don't get on with it, I have a couple of friends who are at my total love for it because they both got in and really disliked it so got out again.

Good luck to you, it was truly the best & most positive experience I've ever had, I hope you get the same :)

Original poster

LaurenCaddy · 03/12/2012 11:12

Thank you ladies.

I know my hospital does have a water birthing room, so would like to give birth in a hospital, orangebubbles your very brave having a home birth. I'd be panicking non stop! I'll have to ask the question about the placenta, i would rather the injection tbh.

I was hoping to do it with little pain relief, i've heard so many scary stories about alot of them. So hoping to do just the gas & air if needed.

What did you ladies wear? I've heard some choose to wear a bikini or nothing.

I'm worried about picking my baby out the water, what if i'm in shock or i panic? I'm assuming there will be a midwife present at all times.

So many questions, sorry!

OP posts:

winterpansy · 03/12/2012 15:10

I'm another advocate of the waterbirth. I had a brilliant experience with DS 18 months ago and hope to do this again at some point over the next year or so (hopefully starting to ttc DC2 soon). I work a long vest from Tesco and binned it after as it was covered in vernix etc. I had a 6 hour labour and was in the pool for the last 3 hours and it really helped. No cons from me at all.
Go for it if you can!

Rowan1204 · 03/12/2012 15:26

I had my ds in a midwife led birthing centre and had a waterbirth.
It was amazing and i couldn't say anything negative. I had a tiny bit of gas and air at the beginning but it was useless so didn't actually bother once things really got going. It helped to make me feel more comfortable and it definitely helps with the skin stretching! My boy weighed 8lbs and i had no tears or even a scratch which i am convinced is due to.sitting in water for 5 hours! I watched his head coming out buy looking at a giant mirror on a stick which was bizarre but really helped me to see that my pushes were doing something!
Honestly i would go for it. They also say babies born in water are meant to be calmer babies which i can also vouch for!
Sorry about lack of paragraphs but on a mobile!

Rowan1204 · 03/12/2012 15:28

Forgot to say that i was just naked! At the end of the day your pushing a baby out of down there. So i really wasn't worried about my boobs being out! It also means your baby has skin to skin contact straight away.

NewMrsH · 03/12/2012 16:14

I love this thread!!

I'm 24 weeks with my first baby and desperate to have a water birth!!

Can I ask, My hospital only has one birthing pool and I'm stressing big time incase anyone beats me too it on the day...did anyone encounter this and how did you prepare just incase??

Xxx

ISpyPlumPie · 03/12/2012 17:02

Had a home water birth with DS2 on Saturday and it was absolutely amazing - still on a complete high.
I got in when I was 5cm - had been using TENS up till then but obv had take it off to get in the water - and found I didn't need any other pain relief. It was great being able to move around freely and I think being quite active like this helped.

I was leaning against the side when the contractions got much stronger and I had a burning sensation with an urge to push. My waters broke with one push, his head came out with the next followed by his body. I lifted him up (had been worried that I'd panic and get it wrong too, but mw gently told me what to do and I think instinct also took over) and he looked straight at me and reached out towards me. Felt incredible - like I'd delivered him myself.

I got out to deliver the placenta. I had been planning on having the injection as had it with DS1 with no problems, but because I hadn't had it immediately on delivery like last time decided to see what happened. The placenta came out on it's own with no issues and I didn't need any stiches either.

I wore a maternity tankini top - just felt a bit more comfortable for me than being completely naked (bit daft considering everything else was on view when I stood up but nevermind!) The water was also much clearer throughout than I expected though my waters only broke immediately before he was born. DH had the task of emptying the pool, but assures me it wasn't that bad!

Good luck - hope you have a great experience too .

Original poster

LaurenCaddy · 03/12/2012 17:56

Its so good hearing other peoples amazing experiences! It sounds so beautiful and i so hope everything goes well as i feel this is definitely for me. I suppose the bikini top/no bikini top depends how i feel on the day, but i suppose when you've got everything else on show haha!

I am also worried if someone gets there before me, i'm not actually sure how many pools are available at my hospital (Taunton) so i should def look into that.

OP posts:

queenofthepirates · 03/12/2012 18:07

Cons: make sure your water tank has enough hot water to fill your birthing pool. If your birthing partners have to knock on every door in the street to ask them to spare a kettle of hot water whilst you're pointing and laughing at them, high as a kite on gas and air, it will only make them seethe.

Similarly you should check they know that the water pump has a reverse mechanism so they don't have to empty said pool with saucepans whilst you 'lounge about' in hospital post birth.

Other than that, a really good experience.

LimeLeafLizard · 03/12/2012 19:49

I had a water labour (twice) but got out to push just because it felt more normal for me. Again, no cons.

Regarding what to wear, I recommend a big loose T-shirt. It covers you up without being restrictive, but leaves you, er, free down below. The water will hide your modesty a bit anyway... by the end you just don't care.

LauraPashley · 03/12/2012 20:06

I wanted to be "covered up" but couldnt bear the feeling of a soggy Tshirt flopping about so wore a tankini top both times. Have had 2 water births both midwife led but in hospital, feel extremely lucky to have been able to do so. No cons at all! I needed a couple of stitches both times so it didn't prevent tearing but absolutely no crowning pain which I understand can be hellish! TENS till I got in, gas and air while in, nothing else needed.
Only con actually maybe was waiting for the placenta it got a bit chilly and I was tired, but that was my choice and was happier with that than with the jag.
Midwife will help you grab then baby don't worry!
2nd time round I left it quite late to go to the hospital and pool took an age to fill, factor that in! I was hopping at the side of it lying about needing to push cos there was NO WAY I was having baby on dry land hee hee

looneytune · 03/12/2012 20:18

I was in hospital for ds1, didn't enjoy my whole experience but I did get to be in the water for a bit (unfortunately had to get out as they were concerned about his heartrate and they don't let you stay in if there is the slightest worry - or at least didn't then, nearly 10 years ago!).

Ds2 was born at home, intended on water birth but before I came to pushing, I didn't want to be in there any more. Having said that, it was WONDERFUL and I felt so relaxed (and only had a puff or 2 of gas and air, didn't fancy it that time) and I think it was just the temp of the water that affected me as we stupidly hadn't got a thermometer for it. If I felt colder, it slowed me down, when dh added hot water I'd speed up again. Anyway, I'd highly recommend at least labouring in water if possible. I'm now expecting dc3 and planning another homebirth, hope to birth in the water this time but not too worried if not, as long as can labour in there. The good thing about me not birthing in the pool was that ds1 (was 5 at the time) had a right laugh splashing in the pool once ds2 was born. Something very surreal about sitting on your sofa breastfeeding your just born baby with your 5 year old splashing like mad in a big pool in front of you! LOL

Good luck :)

Lutrine · 03/12/2012 21:20

It's lovely to hear everyone's positive stories! It's early days but I'm really keen to have a water birth if possible: I was going to ask the exact same question as NewMrsH actually! I think I might ask my midwife at my next appointment how often the pool at my local hospital is used. I do have a few pool hire websites bookmarked already in case she says "ooh no, there's always someone in it, you'd have no chance!"

gemma4d · 03/12/2012 21:29

I got to hospital (this is for DC2) and got onto the bed (no mean feat). 2 midwives came in.

MW1) G4d wanted a waterbirth - should I start running the water?

MW2) You won't even have time to get the plug in.

And she was right. And there went my dream water birth. But I gave birth about 1 minute later, chewing on the gas and air tube which they didn't even have time to connect to the g&a.

Go for it, and I wish you better luck than me!

lalalonglegs · 03/12/2012 21:34

Two home water births here - being in the water really helped labour, it was all very simple and (relatively) fast if not entirely without pain .

MrsNewH - I really wanted a water birth with my first baby, got to the hospital and someone else had the room with the one pool in it (she wasn't even using it, almost nine years on I am still ) hence my decision to have home births with my other children. You can buy birthing pools very easily and cheaply so check if your hospital will allow you to bring your own one in. This company is great - the owner is American and has that very high level of customer service.

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