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Pregnancy

Waterbirths

43 replies

BlueBee · 28/06/2015 17:48

hi, I'm 32 weeks now and am considering a waterbirth. At our first antenatal yesterday the midwife asked us who was considering one, out of the 15 couples only 2 of us said we were.

I was just wondering how common they are?
And am I missing something where a dry land birth may be best maybe?

Thanks.

OP posts:

Report

Chips1999 · 28/06/2015 22:07

I'll second that too wolfie - my mum said I visibly relaxed as I got into the birthing pool!

FlossieTreadlight · 28/06/2015 22:11

God yes, the relief when my hips went in the water. I think I'll remember that forever.

applecore0317 · 28/06/2015 22:53

I used it and went from 5cm to 10cm in an hour and a half. I got out after a while though as the temperature of the water was too warm for me, I chose all fours and a fan to keep me cool instead.

StarlightMcKenzee · 28/06/2015 22:58

'Oh! And, another thing I didn't realise - if you're having gas and air they will take it away from you towards the end for when you start to push (as your breathing needs to be different). So, again, something to consider.'

Whaaaaat? Why does your breathing have to be different and what right does any MW have to deny you pain relief that you are reliant upon?

I'm pretty sure that though it may have happened this should not be done as standard.

chiruri · 28/06/2015 23:01

I can't really remember, but I don't think they took away my gas and air when I started pushing. I definitely had it for the third stage (which was torture) and for my stitches.

avocadotoast · 29/06/2015 00:17

Maybe it was just me then - sorry OP! I thought it must just be a standard thing. I was under the impression that it was because with the gas and air you're breathing it in a constant cycle, whereas for pushing my MW was instructing me to sort of breathe in - hold it and push - let it out.

Or maybe it was so they could monitor my breathing better, I don't know.

Either way, I know I wasn't happy when it went (like I also wasn't happy getting out of the pool to finish pushing, that was not easy!).

avocadotoast · 29/06/2015 00:18

Actually, thinking about it - I might have kept it for some of the pushing maybe? But only at the start.

They did bring it back for my stitches though, thankfully.

Gunpowder · 29/06/2015 23:05

avocado I had a similar experience with DC1. They told me the gas and air was stopping me concentrating on pushing effectively. They wanted me to do that directed 'purple pushing' like you see on One Born Every Minute, where you hold your breath. DC2 my breathing was much more relaxed and would have been compatible with g&a I think, but luckily the pool was enough.

whatsoever · 30/06/2015 11:12

Water birth was in my birth plan and I was lucky a pool was free so they started filling it up for me as soon as I was admitted. I think I was so happy to see it I ripped my clothes off and got in before they'd even turned the taps off!

However after an hour or so, it wasn't really doing much for me so I got out and had diamorphine instead. Very glad I tried it though, it was nice and relaxing and it works for lots of people.

thesmallbear · 30/06/2015 13:36

I'm the latent phase of labour now! How does the pool compare to the tens machine for pain relief. At home at the mo using the tens and reluctant to take this bad boy off. Is the water better pain relief? I suppose I can combine the water with the gas and air too.

Wolfiefan · 30/06/2015 13:42

I used water when the tens machine stopped helping. It was great. Good luck.

thesmallbear · 30/06/2015 13:44

Might get in the bath then. Reluctant to take the tens off, but I haven't washed today & need to so I don't smell when I finally go to the MLU

flora717 · 30/06/2015 13:46

Personally i ended up showering (full power on the small of my back still using gravity) until i wanted to push and didn't want to climb into the pool to do that.

Gunpowder · 30/06/2015 15:06

Ooh good luck smallbear! I did Tens until pushing too and then water. Come back and keep us posted x

ShoeJunkie · 30/06/2015 15:12

2 water births here! And there was no way I was giving up the gas and air at any point!
I agree that being in the pool felt much more enclosed and comforting. It also made it much easier to change position between contractions (particularly with DS1 where I alternated between leaning over the side of the pool and sort of half squatting half sitting).

avocadotoast · 30/06/2015 22:14

Guess this could be a bit late now smallbear but I found pool a lot more helpful. Tens machine I found too prickly after a while (though I did have it on nearly two days while in latent labour...).

thesmallbear · 01/07/2015 13:36

I wish it was too late avocadotoast. STILL in the latent phase

avocadotoast · 01/07/2015 14:29

Oh you poor thing I know it's hard, especially in this weather, but try and get some rest if you can. It won't last forever (though it might feel like it now) and you'll meet your baby soon! Best of luck to you

Flip

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