Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Water Birth

14 replies

Louise3000 · 22/09/2015 20:11

Hi Ladies, I'm 32 weeks pregnant and now stating to think about what type of birth to have. Did any of you go for a water birth and if so what did you think? Would any of you recommend? What were your experience? thanks

OP posts:
tessiegirl · 22/09/2015 20:16

I hope you don't mind me place marking! I too am interested in having a water birth so would love to read the responses you get to this! Smile

bigfam · 22/09/2015 20:17

I had water births with both my 3rd and 4th. They're really quite relaxing, i even had mood lighting in the entire room with my 4th (not that i paid much attention towards the end) but being comfortable and relaxed helps not to mention the gas and air Grin good luck with your birth, and enjoy your beautiful baby when he/she arrives

Original poster
Louise3000 · 22/09/2015 20:20

Hi tessiegirl, no problem at all. :-)

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 22/09/2015 20:22

My first was a waterbirth. Calmest environment imaginable. Great care but midwives were unobtrusive. Best pain relief EVER! I made a noise of utter relief when I got in and the midwives said everyone makes the same noise. Awful back pain from back to back baby. DH poured warm water onto my back. Bliss!

wtfih · 22/09/2015 20:24

I went for a water birth. Until 3 hours before delivery when I started bleeding and was transferred to the labour ward as high risk. Gutted.
Good luck with your birth, try to keep your options open. In the grand scheme of things it won't really matter how the baby arrives, as long as you're both well. It will all be a blur once baby's here.

fredandme123 · 22/09/2015 20:24

I had one earlier this year and it was a really good experience. If I were to have another I couldn't imagine doing it without the water. Happy to answer any questions so fire away if there is something you want to know!

blibblobblub · 22/09/2015 20:26

I did. Totally unplanned but I'm really glad I did.

I had to be a bit in and out of the water (wasn't progressing quickly enough and there was mention of hooking me up to the drip, so I got out to try and speed things up; then at the end DD's heart rate dropped so I had to get out again and didn't actually give birth in the water). But when I was in there it was so much more bearable than on dry land.

Things to consider: it limits your pain relief options. You can only have gas and air. (But, if things get too much, you can always leave the water and go for something stronger.)

You might have to get out near the end and it might be too late for any other pain relief options.

It's difficult to reach for things you might need - drinks, sweets etc - so make sure birth partner is fully versed on getting things to you ASAP. Get a hand signal if you need to!

It is lovely (well, as lovely as can be when you're in labour) to be swishing about in the water. I had incredibly bad back pain and the water soothed it so much. I was on the verge of tears when I was out of the water but coped much better in.

Oh, and plan better than I did; take swimwear. I was naked the whole time Blush

I'm planning to have a home birth if I have another but I'd still hire a birthing pool.

Original poster
Louise3000 · 22/09/2015 21:08

Thank you ladies for your comments. All seems to be very positive, which is good to hear.

OP posts:
TenForward82 · 22/09/2015 21:11

I want one too, but as there's only 2 pools to 5 rooms I'm a bit scared I might not get it and will have to fall back on drugs Sad I don't think I have the zen-ness required for hypnobirthing or breathing my way through ...

Runningupthathill82 · 22/09/2015 21:33

Best to keep your options open and not think of a water birth as a separate "thing", IME. It's just one tool in your pain relief spectrum and may be useful for some, part or all of your labour.

Living in my area, water births are v popular as there's two pools at the MLU. Almost everyone I know started off in the pool, but none actually gave birth in it - either due to complications or because they needed more pain relief.

I did eight hours or so in the pool before having to be transferred. It was useful in the earlier stages of labour but not at all useful when things got complicated.

So yes, by all means give it a go, but don't think of it as having a water birth or a non-water birth as there's so many shades of grey in between - from people who dip in and out, to those who have quick births in the pool, to those who spend the best part of a day in there but then give birth elsewhere.

Runningupthathill82 · 22/09/2015 21:34

Oh, and TenForward - why the sad face for drugs? They're there for a reason and taking them isn't a "lesser' option in any way.

AradiaWitch · 22/09/2015 21:38

I have had two, and they were amazing! The pain relief was so wonderful, I got out to use the loo a couple of times with my last one and there was a massive difference when I got out, to when I was in the water. I only needed g&a and did hypnobirthing at the same time. I delivered in the pool both times. Both were so calm and relaxed. Well as relaxed as you can be giving birth! Grin

Dixiechick17 · 22/09/2015 22:16

I found it ok, it didn't take the pain away, but it felt nice to float in between contractions. I got out a while after I started to push as the water was too warm for me, I get hot and bothered when I am in pain.

Dixiechick17 · 22/09/2015 22:19

ten you may surprise yourself. I'm a total wimp, and kept an open mind as far as drugs went, was fully expecting to have an epidural I was amazed however, that my hypnobirthing breathing helped me cope with the pain and manage the labour without drugs. Be open to it all, rather than putting barriers in place before you get there :)

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread