Water birth

[Mumbofeet]

I'd really really like a water birth and, whilst I know if there are any complications during labour it might not be possible, i think I'd be quite disappointed if i couldn't end up having one. However just wondered if anyones had any experience of not being able to have one due to the pools being in use? There are two birthing pools at my hospital, have people generally found that they're usually free if you've requested them or are they always in use?

My hospital had one pool room and then quite a few inflatable pools for of that was in use, I really wanted a water birth but had to be induced so couldn't have one

You can request one but put on a list if the room is requested or used a lot during day due to cleaning etc.

Any complications or being induced means (in our hospital) that pools are out of reach.

Most pools are only in MLU up here so check with hospital etc

My hospital had 2 pool rooms but every single person I asked that had requested one had never got one
When I went into labour they told me one was free and I was elated! Unfortunately I never even made it as far as the water as I had an emergency csec :-(

My midwife unit had 2 birthing pools and It was available when I went into labour. I had really wanted a water birth too so was really happy when I could get in it. Climbed in, had my next contraction and omg I felt like I was suffocating, almost like claustrophobia. I had to get out and ended up in theatre anyway but was so disappointed that it didn't relax me more.
Saying that though I would probably try it again for any future birth if it was available. Id just need to get my head in the right place!

I suppose it's just luck of the draw when i go into labour and how many other people want water births that day. And of course i might hate it anyway!

Have you considered having a home birth? Guaranteed the pool won't be in use that way...A few people at the group I went to with my first were having home births for this reason alone.

I wanted a waterbirth with DC1 but the pools were in use so I couldn’t have one. This was within a MLU and a few years ago.

Had DC2 a few months ago at the same MLU and got a pool this time. Loved the waterbirth (as much as anyone can love labour).

I would say try not to be too disappointed if you can’t have one though, as there were a few criteria I had to meet to be ‘allowed’.

I want a homebirth partially for that reason, as I know people who haven't been able to have a pool due to availability. We live on the same road as the hospital so not far if I need to go! My boyfriend was wondering if they'll let you take your own pool to the MLU? Could solve the issue but I have a feeling there might be healthy & safety reasons why you can't!

I don't think i could have a home birth, the job im in means i see the risks and things that could go wrong and I'd just feel much more comfortable in hospital. I haven't even discussed my plan with the midwife yet so il see what she says about liklihood of availability etc. Not planning anything for absolute definite though as every part of having a baby is bloody unpredictable I've come to realise lol

There's only one pool at my local hospital and it was offered to me when I was in labour (I hadn't requested it as I'm not normally a fan of water but thought I'd give it a go). The ward was fairly busy so I was surprised it was available. Unbeknownst to the midwives I was well in established labour when I got in the pool so it didn't take the edge of the pain as much as I would have liked (and they only allow it to a certain temp so was a bit on the cold side) but was pleasant enough. I got out to be examined and the baby was practically crowning so I never got back in!

I've had a water birth. It was fine. I wasn't in it long before I pushed the baby out, but I liked it at the time. It wasn't like a miracle cure for making birth easy, but I did feel a bit better when I got in.

I wanted a water birth with dc1. It was in use when I arrived. By the time they said I could go in I refused to take off my tens machine! lol. No time with dc2 and with dc3 they had refurbished and there were more rooms but by the time I got there I was begging for an epidural (which I didn't have with the others) as she was in the wrong position and got stuck. Ended up with an ecs. I'm not trying again.....