Pain relief was significant - in my experience water birth/ the ability to move to find a new position & be left alone in more is priceless - I needed gas & air for an hour....I go quick - even if you then get forced down the inevitable NHS medical route that was an hour or two well spent.
Outside of the water when they got me out to follow rules/ examine me it really hurt. the constant faffing about the temp is annoying. I had to stand my ground - insist on the pool - ask to see it run when I wasn't allowed in it... perseverance got me there but you also have to check so many hospitals have textbook midwives who can't/won't cover a water birth - then you need to realise it would be less painful but unsafe to insist
I have had 3 NHS water births - in hospital attached birthing centres - babies fine in water - within 30 secs moved to my breast each cord attached in the water -
- Each time I had to keep searching for my best chance of a water birth
First one - St Thomas Home from Home - then I was out of catchment
St John & Lizzies - then went bust
2 & 3 Whittington - go in late labour fully established or they transfer you to the medical ward
I am 38 and have had 3 textbook pregnancies in the last 6 years.
You have to be in control or get ds on it at all times - that is the main thing
- liked the pool because I was in control
- it hurt way less in the pool
- moving positions is way easier
- they (3rd time round anyway) are made to leave you alone more when you get on with it)
the sad reality is that unless you've done your research (found a hospitalised birth centre) most places don't have the staff equipped for birthing pool when it comes down to it. Or there's only one one and x took it. Unless you refuse the midwives keep getting you out to examine you - or even worse make you give birth outside the pool thus negating the whole pain relief privacy options at the end.
Lights dimmed/ essential oils - a birth plan where you specify minimal intervention - skin to skin after birth all help... After one water birth I was pleased to have fought to get 2 more - good luck