waterbirth V 'normal laid on your back' birth

[sarahleanne]

just wondered how much a waterbirth really helps with the pain compared to lying on a hospital bed (done this twice now but never had a waterbirth) and currently pregnant with dc3.... thanks in advance.

It makes a huge difference in my experience.

I laboured in a pool with dd1, pushed for 2 hours then had to get out as she was stuck and needed the assistance of a ventouse. I felt in control, though, and the pain only became unbearable when I had to get out of the water.

Dd2 was a more traditional delivery room birth as the pool wasn't available. I found it harder to cope throughout the labour and birth.

My sister in law was in the birthing pool for a few hours during her contractions and said it really helped with the pain. She didn't deliver in the pool (can't remember why now) but said in the unlikely event she has another (her words!) she would absolutely use it again

I had a water birth, I went from demanding an epidural before I got in the water to floating about happily high on gas and air in the space of about two minutes. Made a huge difference to the pain and now pregnant with DC2 I can't imagine doing it on dry land! So much so that I'm considering a homebirth so I can definitely have a pool.

Have had two water births, both dd's born in the water, def great pain relief, I also needed gas and air as very quick intense labours and I just like it! I think it helps because of the warmth and the feeling of freedom to move about , even just slight movement/shift in weight is very very easy despite pain/pressure etc, all of which were much worse for me when out of the water, I got out during transition with dd2 as I was convinced something was wrong as baby wasn't out yet.....midwife couldn't make me stay in but she knew it was transition so helped me out with dh helping also then reassure me with quick examination and I got straight back in and dd shot out! My waters went when I climbed out, think that was why she wasn't coming out as quick as I felt she should be,
I wouldn't have realised this with dd1, the second time around was much easier just knowing what to expect though I must say having a general understanding if the process of birth really helped me with dd1, avoiding all the permutations and what can go right or wrong, just knowing the basic process, and going with the flow if you need help through the process be it epidural, c section or pain med injection is the best way to go I think! Resigning yourself to it I guess, I like to be in control and organised and do not like surprises but I tried hard to switch that off and trust the midwives to do their job and that helped me a lot!
Ooo yes and if you do go in a pool for however long you are init the midwife will stay just helping you through or sitting quietly in corner with your notes if you have someone else with you I labour that u want to rub back etc, my dh was ace at that but it was the midwife who stepped in without us needing to ask when she realised I was getting the transition stage and panicking abit and crying, she gave me a cuddle and told me I could do it and it wouldn't take long! So so lovely, they are brilliant, midwives.

Laying on your back is not actually the 'normal' position to be in. It makes things harder, you're better off on all fours, or squatting.

Water is always worth trying, some people don't like it, but most that have tried it love it, and find that it helps a lot with pain.

What BoobAlot said.

Was this in a UK hospital where they told you the normal way to give with was on your back? [shocked]

Being in the water for DS2's birth made a huge difference to my pain levels. I was really uncomfortable (about 7/10 pain) and when I got in the water it reduced to 2/10. I do think it slowed things down a bit, but I didn't care as I was much more relaxed and able to cope with the contractions. I got out at transition stage and then did the pushing bit on all fours. Highly recommend the water for pain relief and like I say you can get out at the end if you want.

I was on my back as I had drips in each hand so for me it was easier to stay in the position I was already in.
Tbh, even when they told me to roll over I struggled so although I know squatting is a better position, I don't think I would of made it lol

Drips in both hands, that's horrible. I could imagine that to be sore if you put weight on your hands. I need a venflon in for my next labour and I'm already worried about this.

It is uncomfortable and I was in hospital the night before with the one in my hand and didn't get much sleep, but when labour started I honestly hardly noticed them. I'd spent the night before asking for Ice cubes to try and numb my hand. I was told after though that they should be painless and it was probably put in wrong so don't worry too much.

Thanks for sharing ladies, you have all made me desperate for a water birth now. I don't know if I will be allowed one though due to the drips but I will ask midwife on Monday .

DD on a bed was agony and had to have an epidural. Pain was so bad I thought I would have a heart attack

DS in the pool was bliss and managed to dispense with gas and air too (not out of choice, they ran out and couldn't fix it back up in time, but pain was bearable thanks to the lovely water)

I will never, ever, have a baby on dry land again

I had to have a venflon/needle thing? In hand in first labour for antibiotics and the midwife taped it up loads , like a hand bandage, and let me in pool! I managed not submerge it too often and she just hooked me up to iv when I needed dose of antibiotic, had already had most of it early labour, (was for group b strep) and only needed one more dose but she was very pro water birth I think, she just loved it! And more or less threw me in pool! (Obv knew I was keen on one and it was quiet on ward so I think I was lucky she was my midwife otherwise may not have been allowed in!) I got last dose and she removed needle about an hour before dd1 was born. That was 5yrs ago and now for dc3, due to goto same hosp the rules are far clearer re the gbs, apparently now you aren't even allowed near the birth centre part of hosp if you have gb strep and have to up on normal maternity ward nearer the docs etc. so it will depend on the hosp, I think I def got lucky with that midwife, she helped me have a great experience, no gbs with dd2 and nine yet dc 3 so hope I can be in pool again but am happy with my gas n air if not but would def want be on all fours or bounce birth ball etc instead.