Talk me through your waterbirth!

[moomin35]

Am thinking of having a waterbirth - I like the idea of it being slightly "private" below the water and also helping that the water brings some kind of pain relief although I plan to use gas and air too. Can you tell me about your experiences (good or bad) so i can make my decision for good!

I had a waterbirth with DS 11 years ago today! He died when he was 4 but it's nice to remember how positive his birth was.

His older sister's birth was a bit of a nightmare - struggled to get into established labour so it went on for days, was tired when it came to pushing and having avoided an epidural or section then had a retained placenta and ended up in theatre.

DS was so different! I'd said I'd like to try the pool for pain relief. Waters broke about midnight and got to hospital about 2am They weren't convinced waters were broken so wanted to send DH home and me to ward for observation which I hated the idea of. Then I stood up and proved my waters had indeed broken!!

Found a side room for DH and me and used TENS for 2-3 hours with contractions getting stronger. Eventually around 6.15am contractions felt very strong and was checked and found to be 5cm. They said we'll take you up to delivery ward and you wanted to try water - 'there might not be time to fill the bath.' Given it has taken me DAYS to dilate with DD thought they were talking nonsense!

Anyway got into the pool about 6.45 am and DS born at 7.16 after what I remember as barely any pushing. Used some gas and air too. All I can remember is the nagging to keep my bum underwater.

DS was very calm after the birth and snoozed and breastfed whilst I got stitched up. We left hospital by 12 and that was dawdling...

It was very positive for me but whether some of that was because things were so much more straightforward than the first time and I understood more what was happening don't know.

Good luck with everything whatever you decide.

I'm sorry you lost your son Ellie.

OP, I had a lovely water birth at home with my second DC. It was a wonderful experience- absolutely fantastic. I was very lucky, I think. Labour lasted about 5 hours in total, I used the TENS and bounced on a birthing ball for a while, and then got in the water for the last hour. I was offered gas and air but didn't feel I needed it. The labour felt totally manageable most of the way through- the last 20 mins or so was excruciating and I got the fear, but I knew then that the baby would be here soon, and he was. I delivered in the water, an 8lbs 15oz boy (first baby was 7lbs so his size was quite surprising). I pulled him up out of the water and onto my chest. I've got some gorgeous photos of me cuddling him just after birth.

I won't be having any more babies and am sad I won't get to do that again, but I treasure the memory of it and still daydream about when I need something nice to think about.

I tried the pool for DC3 but found the water in the hospital birthing pool too warm to stay in. (Hosp said it was normal temp and it had to be that temp). I had earlier had a cool bath at home which was much more pleasant and really helped with contractions.

I arrived at hospital 8cms, baby back to back.

The good:
Instant pain relief, felt like v. early contractions again despite being back to back.
V. nice experience, we were on our own most of the time.

The bad:
It slowed my progress and took quite a long time to get from 8 to 10cms.
As I was in there a while I got too hot and had to get out part way through pushing!

HOWEVER- I used a birthing stool then and the baby came out v. quickly using this as the gravity did a lot of the work. I had NO tearing at all and a happy baby.

If it sounds good to you then I definitely recommend.

I had two waterbirths, one in hospital, one at home. The only thing I can add to the brilliant advice above is to warn whoever ends up emptying it that it might be grim. One of my clearest memories of my homebirth is of hearing DH carrying buckets of water from the pool to our downstairs loo, and him saying 'oh my God' over and over again. And then of him stabbing the pool to death with a kitchen knife so he could get it out the front door without dragging it along the walls! It did give me and the midwives something to chuckle about though.

I had a water birth with DS and it was great, I don't know how I could have coped without it. My first birth experience with my DD was really different as I was induced. It was in no way a pain free experience but I was really in control and I was able to have a natural birth which would have felt out of the question for DD.

I used the pool with DS1. I liked it but did get out after a while. Not sure why I just decided to get out.

Nothing is set in stone is it so put it on your plan and you can always change your mind etc.

FWIW I really like water in general, I like baths, I like the sea and swimming etc. I don't know if that makes any difference at all but thought it worth saying.

I was induced the second and third time so wasn't allowed otherwise I would have included it as an option again.

I had planned a water birth but wasn't even able to use the pool even for pain relief as I had a small bleed not long after being admitted to the midwife unit. I was then transferred to the consultant unit and although there was a birthing pool there too I wasn't able to get in it at all.
I went on to have a v long labour with a back to back baby but managed with just G&A up until forceps in theatre became necessary.
Just preparing you for the fact that unexpected things come up and throw out the best laid plans.
Good luck though! People I know who managed to have water births had universally good experiences.

i didn't have one first time round, did second time round. i would recommend it, it was really nice
one thing i wish they had told me
once the baby comes out they're still attached with the chord, so then it's quite awkward getting out of the bath while they hold the baby and youre shaky and nackered, trying not to trip up over the chord. whilst they were sorting out my daughter they left me shivering on the bed, so pack a big towel in your hospital bag (from a charity shop that you can throw away after) to avoid my experience! lovely birth, crap after bit. took me about half an hour to stop shivering!

I am really glad I chose a water birth. I found the water relaxing. I did also have gas and air. I occasionally moved to the side of the pool to have mine and the babies heartbeat listening to and got out once to be checked. My baby was born without complications or intervention and with some stitches for me.I would definitely use the pool again.

I had a water birth in 2012 and it was by far the best experience of my life... I did want to punch the midwife every time she emptied the water a little when it got to a bearable temperature for me too add more hot... It really is hot!!! But the pain level was unbelievable no one believes me that I had an enjoyable labour even though I had a tiny tear it did not hurt, I did not need to push myself my body did it all for me and I believe the water really helped keep my pain down... I had no other pain relief would recommend to everyone just wish hospitals had pools in every room or I'll be so upset if I can't have a second water birth delivery with dc2

I was induced and had water birth

I'd always wanted a water birth and founds the water just as soothing and reassuring as I'd expected. I laboured in there for about six hours.
But Dd was back to back and I just couldn't get her out without assistance. Had to get out and have ventouse and episiotomy. I was gutted she didn't have the calm birth I'd planned. It was all rather frantic.
I'd definitely try for another water birth if I have a second DC.
I'd highly recommend it for pain relief.
Good luck!

I had wanted a water birth, but stubborn mispresented baby put paid to that. Ultimately I had assisted delievery in theatre, 1 push from a section.
I had plans yes, baby had other plans which included lateral oblique presentation.
I did spend sometime in the bath when in labour, but it didn't help probably as she had one shoulder and elbow in my back and one in the front of my pelvis.

I wanted one first time but it all happened a bit fast and when it came to it I was too far gone to get down the stairs!

Had one the second time though, got in the pool shortly after midnight and he was out within half an hour. There were candles, music, it was very calm and peaceful and going from transitioning on dry land to getting into warm water was like getting into liquid pain relief! Totally recommend it, it was a really positive experience. Good luck!

Mine was great. My contractions were hotting up about 1.30am and at 2 I started to think we needed to go, left at 3am and got to birth centre at 3.15am. Dh went to get a cup of tea while midwife ran the pool and did my blood pressure and things. As soon as I got in the pool I had to push. The midwife was pouring the water onto my back which was nice and I was on all fours with a death grip on the bars. Couldn't have picked up the gas and air if I wanted to. After 15 mins of screaming pushing dd was born. Dh was impressed that I only swore twice and that he just managed to finish his cup of tea when she was born! I have no idea how much the water helped cos I didn't experience normal contractions in there just the pushing ones but when I first got in I did experience a brief aah that's good moment before I had to push. All in all it was fab.

Hello

So nice to hear all the positive experiences of water birth.

I had a home waterbirth with my DS. It was amazing. Got into pool at 7cm dialated and he was born about 2 hours later. I loved the fact the no one could 'interfere' with me and I delivered him myself...feeling his head coming down with my fingers and guiding him out....all felt very natural. His cord was cut while I was still in the water so no tricky manouvers trying to get out of the pool. I'm pretty sure it helped with the pain relief (I had a bit of gas and air but only for a short time). I did need a few stitches so next time I'll be asking for some advice as to how to reduce the chances of this.
I'm now 30 weeks pg wth DS2 and am hoing for a similiar experinence this time :)

I had two waterbirths - one at an MLU and one at home. They were great, I had space and privacy as no one could get too close to me. As mentioned upthread, I loved being the first to touch and pick up both babies. Both waterbirths were very gentle with minimal tearing on the first, none at all on the second. Good luck!

I was strapped to a monitor with ds1 but had a semi-water rebirth with ds2... I loved being in the water, but there was a lot of what they delicately called 'debris' (blood and poo) - too much for the sieve - so I had to get out while they cleaned and refilled the bath. Because the birth progressed so quickly I ended up giving birth on the steps of the pool. It was utterly brilliant, all of it. I'm not being intentionally gross, I promise. It can be brilliant even if it doesn't go quite as planned...

Congratulations OP! I had a water birth a few weeks ago for my first baby and it was awesome - I managed to deliver my 8 pound baby with no pain relief or tears so I guess that's a strong endorsement. Obviously can't say what would have hapoened without the pool but I think it played a big part. I had been fairly ambivalent about it beforehand and opted for it more because it seemed popular with others. I am so glad I did, though. My contractions were v painful in my back and it was excruciating to move on dry land. As others have said above, the pool let me float about and change position easily. It also let my OH pour water over my back and that really helped. Plus, again as others have said, the midwife examined me with mirror and Doppler in water, so I didn't have anyone poking round my bits! The room was dim and warm and in between contractions I almost fell asleep! And the warmth was lovely when we were snuggling after the delivery. All in all, I strongly recommend it.

Sorry for epic post!

I had a water birth with my first and it went great. Having said that, I was only in the water for about 20 minutes!
I arrived at the hospital around midnight and was 5cm. The pool had just been used so we had to wait for it to empty (45min), refill (45min), sit disinfecting for an hour and then empty (45min) and refill again (45min!) so I spent a fair amount of time watching it empty and refill.
Once I got in, my waters broke almost immediately, 4 pushes later she was out. I did tear but I didn't get the famed "ring of fire" feeling so not sure if that was to do with the water (I also tore with my second and that was not a water birth, didn't feel the ring of fire then either).

What I liked most about my labour when I had the water birth was that I had really entered my own zone, focused on my breathing and was calm. It was just me, OH and the midwife and it was a darkened room and I/my body just did what it had to do.

I'd definitely put it down as an option but also you need to be prepared for things to not go to plan or to feel completely different on the day as to what you want when actually experiencing labour.

Good luck!

Oh yeah - I had no need for gas and air or any pain relief with my birth - guess that's worth a mention!

With my second, it was all much quicker (born within an hour of getting to the hospital) and I don't look back with fondness!!

I had an amazing water birth, didnt plan it but midwife suggested and I didn't want to get out !! Was in there for 12 hours came out so wrinkly. I would def do it again

I have 4 DC and the last 2 were water births. Totally recommend it, both very positive experiences. No stitches and felt back to myself so much more quickly. I used gas and air as well.

My first 2 births were amazing too but I'd use the water again if I had another baby

I was really pleased with the way my water birth went. I got to the hospital when I was 3 cm dilated. They let me sit in a bath for an hour as I wasn't that far along but we lived quite far away. Then when I was 5 cm they gave me the pool with gas and air. I found getting out the pool to be checked or removing the gas and air to talk quite stressful so they left me too it and checked me in the water. 7 hours after getting in the pool I gave birth :) the midwife very quickly picked up my dd and put her on me.
Giving birth was the the most painful thing ever for me - but water and g&a helped so much.
I am planning on a water birth again in a few months, fingers crossed!