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Original poster

What do you wear for a waterbirth?!

30 replies

moomin35 · 03/02/2014 15:01

Ok, sorry, this is a stupid question from first time mum-to-be I'm sure but if i am planning on a water birth what should I take in to the hospital to wear? Also, if the pool is not available for me on the day what back up option should i take?

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yummymumtobe · 03/02/2014 15:05

I didn't wear anything as it was my second labour so v fast and by the time I got in the pool was already pushing! If you're going to be in the pool a while i would wear a bikini or tankini (can take off the bottoms when you get to the vital stage!). Some will say wear nothing, but I hate being naked so wouldn't find that relaxing at all! What do you mean by back up option? I had a non water birth and a water birth and to be honest preferred the non water option.

TheOrchardKeeper · 03/02/2014 15:07

I managed to get naked without realizing as I was off my face on gas and air and got very hot (and according to my mum dipped my hospital gown off in a rage) but if you're not going to have a 4hr labour then agree with a tankini or something

TheOrchardKeeper · 03/02/2014 15:07

*ripped haha

comfyonesie2 · 03/02/2014 15:08

I've got black vest top with nursing drop down top for feeding after baby is born whilst we are waiting for the placenta. Last time I wore black knickers also until the pushing stage, as wasn't comfortable with nothing!!!

lanbro · 03/02/2014 15:12

Nothing both times. Had planned to wear a tankini top first time around but baby was 3 wks early and I hadn't even packed my bag properly! Second was very quick, was already pushing when I got into the pool then had to be hoisted out as baby's heart rate was dropping so did it naked on a weird beanbag type sofa!

Go prepared but you might just not care when the time comes! You could always just wear a bra if you want to protect your modesty!

PenguinsDontEatKale · 03/02/2014 16:03

I wore a bikini top. But that was mostly because I was expecting I might have to get out again and thought it would be easier to wrap a towel just round my waist. I probably won't bother with anything this time.

If you are on dry land, whatever you want really. A good long t-shirt or nightie is quite good. Maybe with some joggers underneath. If your waters are leaking or you need to be checked a lot it could be a pain getting trousers on and off, so good to have something long enough that if you are self conscious your bum is covered in just the top.

ChicaMomma · 03/02/2014 16:20

I've been told that if the birthing pool in my maternity hospital isnt available, that some people get a lot of comfort from regular showers during labour.. sounds obvious but said i'd mention it anyway. Lots of women bring the birthing balls into the shower apparently. But i'm thinking of using the labour pool to get me from 2cm- 7cm (approx!) rather than birthing in it, as such- just to manage labour.. that's what my consultant says most people do.

notnowbernard · 03/02/2014 16:20

Nowt

PenguinsDontEatKale · 03/02/2014 16:21

Chica - Are your hospital happy with you being in the water that early? Many have a 'not before 5cm' policy...

ChicaMomma · 03/02/2014 16:40

Yes I spoke to them about it last Friday- it's new to that hospital since last month and at the moment they are only using it about twice a week it seems. The 2 girls who used it last week stayed in from 2-7cm and didnt actually deliver in it.. but it seems to be an evolving process there, given it's brand new.. My 'masterplan' would then be to come out of it at 7cm and have an epidural- the best laid plans etc- but they have no issue with that plan as things stand.

MissSlackPants84 · 03/02/2014 16:42

If I get my water birth I plan on being naked. Stuff the hassle of clothes :-)

ChicaMomma · 03/02/2014 16:45

Yes, agreed- i plan on being naked also. At the very most, a bikini top.

PenguinsDontEatKale · 03/02/2014 16:48

Great Chica. Most areas are a lot less flexible than that

LSP1985 · 03/02/2014 16:51

I had planned to wear a tankini for my water birth. Went in the pool at 10cms but couldn't bear to have anything touching my skin so ended up naked!!! Pack something but don't feel like you have to wear it!

OnTheRunAndUpTheDuff · 03/02/2014 16:55

I started out in a tankini but ended up naked. Just couldn't stand the feeling of anything against my skin. Not quite sure at what point I ripped it off but I distinctly remember the relief I felt once I had :)

I would say take a few different options - you never know how you're going to react in labour until you're actually there. This time I thought I would start out in a loose-ish tshirt, but I expect I will probably end up naked again.

TaurielTest · 03/02/2014 16:59

Whatever works for you Chica, but I can't believe what your consultant says is true, that "most people" hop out of the pool at 7cm. Why not at least stay in until fully dilated, if it's working for you but you don't want to deliver underwater? Or is that to do with the timing of an epidural?

Re the clothing question - definitely didn't want to wear anything during either of my WBs. But no harm in taking something along, main thing is that you feel comfortable and at ease.

AmethystMoon · 03/02/2014 17:04

Naked!
I sat in my nice warm bath at home until my waters broke. Then went to hospital, quick exam to find I was 7cm, the hopped in pool (flinging my clothes behind me!) gave birth about two hours later without any pushing (did hypno birthing).
Loved it! My big tip is take cartons to drink, it is warm in the room.
But don't drink much that your bladder gets huge and gets bruised during birth and so doesn't empty and so blocks your placenta from exiting that didn't happen to me, honest!

ChicaMomma · 03/02/2014 17:06

Puddock, it's to do with the epidural. They basically said that if you want an epidural, you'd need to be getting it around 7/8cm or so- getting it when fully dilated might be too late... and obviously, you cant get an epidural and deliver in the birthing pool..

They only have it a few weeks and have yet to deliver in it, it's just been used as a 'labouring pool' rather than an actual birthing pool per se- at least so far. If it gets me to 7cm without caving and going for the epidural sooner, I'll be delighted. If it's working that well for me, i'd even go all the way and forget the epidural. But i have a massive fear of the last leg of it without epidural so am not convinced i'd go for that option. Or then you might say the 'last bit' is the easy bit, i really dont know. So hard to know what's going to work for you on your first. Also, the birthing pool may not be available to me anyway!

PenguinsDontEatKale · 03/02/2014 17:12

For me, the last bit was the easy bit......

ChicaMomma · 03/02/2014 17:18

Yes I do hear others say that also.. In my mind, the contractions will be easier than the 'pushing out' bit, but as i said, you're so clueless on your first. So i guess in lots of ways if you manage to get to 7/8cm unassisted, it might be madness to 'give in' at that stage..? God know what will happen, i guess one has to go in with an open mind (as well as open legs!)

PenguinsDontEatKale · 03/02/2014 17:21

Contractions were like being torn in two by the spine (and yet I'm having no. 3 and plan to avoid an epidural, if that helps ). Pushing and crowning were utterly pain free. Everyone is different.

PenguinsDontEatKale · 03/02/2014 17:21

Contractions were like being torn in two by the spine (and yet I'm having no. 3 and plan to avoid an epidural, if that helps ). Pushing and crowning were utterly pain free. Everyone is different.

thecakeisalie · 03/02/2014 20:00

I think if I was having a water birth I'd take a tankini as I wouldn't have felt comfortable being completely naked especially in the early stages, though by the end you lose all sense of caring.

I agree with Penguins about the lack of pain when pushing - the contractions were horrendous at the end with ds2 but the pushing was just a huge relief and even the stinging as baby crowned didn't bother me because when I felt that I knew it was nearly over. I think staying open minded is the best way to be :)

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 03/02/2014 20:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DewClawDisaster · 03/02/2014 20:43

I wore a tankini with tie halter neck. It worked really well as once baby was born I just undid the knot and fed straightaway.

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