Water birth

[Tans1987]

Hello ladies
I was wondering if anyone has had or considering a water birth? It's my first baby and I really think I would like one but just wanted some advice?
Xxx

[whiteonesugar]

I wanted one with DS but they told me there wasn't enough time to fill the pool. 3 hours later i was still pushing! I didnt have any pain relief with DS though, but i do think water would have maybe stopped me needing the forceps at the end!

I would really like one with this baby and reading these stories is making me look forward to it!

[Justus22]

I got into the pool with my 1st and lasted about 10 mins, it's very warm in there as not to shock baby with change in temp when they come out. I got too hot and felt clostrophobic in it personally but some people like it. X

[Triskaidekaphilia]

I think I'd really like one, have always felt comfortable in water. I'm no martyr when it comes to pain relief but a lot of drugs make me feel sick and the idea of not being able to move with an epidural scares me. I'm interested in 'mobile' epidural where you can still walk about but don't know if my hospital does this. So water my first choice but I don't mind if it doesn't work out.

[TwittleBee]

So wanted a waterbirth! Really looked so tranquil and I love baths, they make me totally relaxed.

I wasn't allowed one though with DS, water broke pre term and I had to be all hooked up and monitored

Some good Pros and Cons out there though:

www.goodtoknow.co.uk/family/water-birth-79850

I remember during my Hypno and NCT classes that the main issue with Waterbirths are Stagnating Labour, if you get into the water too early it can cause labour to proper slow down due to being too relaxed. We were told to keep active for as long as possible and then get into the water when pain really is getting too much

[Springmummy19]

I'm so sorry for the question I am about to ask but in a normal delivery, it is likely that you might poop. is this also possible in a water birth? I'm really intrigued by the idea of a water birth but this is the only thing that makes me unsure

[SVC90]

Hi!
I attempted a water birth in September. It was awful. The room was cold- the curtains were moving even though the windows were shut (the midwives and my husband kept complaining they were cold too).
The water was also cold. I kept asking them to put warm water in. It was a plumbed in pool. They said no.
The pool had a Completely smooth bottom. Nothing to hold onto or push your legs against etc... every time I had a contraction I slid under the water and my husband had to fish me out. Not nice Ended up getting out.

[Tubbyinthehottub]

Yes, usually women with a high BMI are not recommended for water birth. I believe it's because staff would have difficulty helping them out of the pool if needed and maybe risks are greater anyway? I don't know what the limits are though, I'm guessing above 'normal' range.

[mellongoose]

Melt it is normal to pass a lot of blood after giving birth. I don't remember clots as such but my mind is a fog about those early days. If you're concerned enough to post here I would call your MW and check. They won't mind and you are still under their care.

Congrats on your new bubs

[CustardOmlet]

I imagine it's as GoldenWorld said, a lot of hospitals won't allow water birth if you have any complications and high BMI would be one. My first was a water birth, I wasn't fussed during pregnancy, but as the offered a gave it a try and loved it! Had g&a which I also enjoyed so all in a brilliant experience! Fingers crossed there will be a pool free for me this time (my hospital also won't let you in if induced)

[GoldenWorld]

It's normally up to a BMI of 35 for water births.

[Dlah]

I believe certain hospitals have weight limits for water births?

Has anyone come across this/know what they are?

[Melt90]

Hi I had my little one on Sunday and iv been fine I just went to the loo and iv found I passed a huge blood clot size at least a couple of inches by a couple of inches it's a handful is this normal? Sorry for tmi this early just worried il ring up midwifes when There open but just was wondering people's experiences xx

[LotisBlue]

I had one with dc2. It was great, the water really relaxes you and helps with the contractions and the pool feels like your own private space.

Don't pin all of your hopes on having on though - I was really disappointed not to be able to use the pool with dc1

[mellongoose]

Ps. Only a slight tear and no stitches. Result!!!!!

[mellongoose]

I had a water birth with gas & air. Getting in the pool felt like a huge relief, but my waters broke at the same time so that might also have helped.

I felt so fortunate that I was able to give birth this way. The water calmed me and let me focus. My body took over and baby was born quickly and calmly.

Would definitely go for it again. Good luck xx

[99percentchocolate]

I had one and it was incredible. As soon as I got in the pool mid contraction the pain went from a 9 to about a 6. It get incredible. Within one minute my waters went and I went from 4cms to 10cms. Straight away needed to push and DS was born 16 minutes later.
Would definitely recommend.

[foxessocks]

I wanted one with dd but same as posters above I arrived at the hospital fully dilated and they didn't have time to fill the pool for me. Im pregnant again and really hope I get my water birth this time...think I'l try getting to hospital earlier!

Our hospital only let low risk pregnancy have a water birth and not if you are induced.

[mumofhandsomeboys]

I had both of my boys in the water. It was absolutely incredible and if we have any more children I will definitely opt for another. The pain relief just getting in was amazing, I had horrendous back pain with DS2 and the warmth helped massively. I also liked the fact that there is a MW in the room checking baby every now and then but other than that you're left to it. I can't stand people touching or fussing me when I'm in pain. I picked up both my sons from the water, I was the first to hold them, not a midwife which was lovely :-) highly recommended. Just don't be freaked out (if you deliver in the water) by the amount of blood when you get out. I totally freaked when I stood up after DS1, but the water mixed with blood makes it look 100x worse! I was prepared with DS2!
We are only allowed water births where we are if it is a low risk birth and the only pain relief is gas and air. No inductions allowed x

[Tubbyinthehottub]

What smudged said

[Tubbyinthehottub]

Yes you can have one if you're induced as long as the pessary thing gets labour going and you don't need a drip. I had a water birth with gas and air. It was fine and I had been absolutely terrified of childbirth.

[Tumtitum]

I wanted a water birth but didn't get to hospital on time and was already 10cm so there wasn't time to fill it. So don't wait at home too long!! Will try again with dc2 :)

[smudgedlipstick]

I had a water birth, it was by far the best, I loved it, being in the water relaxes you and does ease the pain. I only had gas and air and she was born in the water! The midwives made me get out for an examination and the difference in the pain whilst I was out of the water was huge, I got back in as soon as I could. I would do it again in a heartbeat

[MyBreadIsEggy]

I tried Th pool when labouring with my Dd, and it helped with the pains I felt in my back but I got out and ended up giving birth on dry land (my whole birth experience only lasted 3 hours though, so I'm probably not the best to give advice on using it for longer periods of time!!)
I'm having a home birth this time round with DC2 and have booked to hire a pool purely because I want to contain the mess! I can see it being easier to just pump away the bloody/mucusy water than trying to clean up towels/sheets/absorbant pads etc.

[Schmoochypoos]

I had an induction and epidural with DS1 and felt totally out of control. With DS2 my labour started naturally. I managed to stay at home until I was almost fully dilated as when I got to the hospital I was 10cm. I went straight into the water bath as soon as it was full and honestly my pain was cut in half, it was the most wonderful feeling. I didn't have gas and air as I wasn't comfortable leaning over the edge of the pool to have it and mainly focused with my face down in the water - it helped me regulate my breathing somehow! I would definitely recommend you try it. You can always get out if you don't like it

Good luck

[TractorComesFirst]

I had an amazing water birth. Probably got to 8cm without pain relief, got in the pool and had about two more contractions and then my body took over and started pushing. About 20 mins of pushing and ds was born, no pain relief and not even a graze. Was lovely and will definitely have one again if we are to have another.