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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Water births? pros & cons?

27 replies

bowgumdrop2018 · 09/06/2018 23:27

I've recently put water birth in my plan as that's what I would preferably like to try out , I understand doesn't always go to plan but anyway I would like to hear everyone's stories about their water birth and the pros and if so cons of one😌
I'll be having my baby at darent valley in dartford

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AutumnGlitterBall · 09/06/2018 23:40

I had one. As pain relief, it worked really well for me. The water has to be about 40 degrees so it’s really comfortable. I managed with just gas and air and the hot water. You can’t have morphine if you’re in the pool as it can make you drowsy, I was told. DS came too quickly though, got stuck and I ended up with a 3rd degree tear and I had to wait an hour for my skin to dry out before I could go to theatre. I would labour again in the pool next time but get out to push because of the risk of another shoulder dystocia.

littleprettylights · 10/06/2018 00:06

in the pool with gas and air then came out to push, great birth and a quick labour, due my second in august and have requested the pool again, a great experience, good luck.

Original poster

bowgumdrop2018 · 10/06/2018 00:11

So ladies my baby was measuring 5lbs 12 oz on Monday so I was 34+2 and obviously I aware that's a tiny bit bigger than the average so if I am looking at a bigger baby maybe 9lbs can I still do it in the water? and how will they know if baby is stuck? and do they monitor baby's heartbeat with doppler throughout ? Sorrybim ever so worried about the laid back approach of water birth 🙈 First baby, 20 years old and 5ft3 so worried I won't be able to birth a big baby 🙈

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Original poster

bowgumdrop2018 · 10/06/2018 00:12

@littleprettylights

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Original poster

bowgumdrop2018 · 10/06/2018 00:12

@AutumnGlitterBall

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zzzzz · 10/06/2018 00:13

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zzzzz · 10/06/2018 00:15

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kissmewherethesundontshine · 10/06/2018 00:16

I'm also 5'3 and I gave birth to my DD in birthing pool. No pain relief and she was 9lb. No tears absolutely perfect birth. My DS was born in labour room (7years ago) was 7lb 8 and I needed stitches so I think the water definitely helps relax you to avoid tears. My midwife checked heartbeat after every contraction and between pushing whilst in the water.

DragonScales · 10/06/2018 00:17

With my first I wanted water birth, it was on my birth plan but dc1 decided to fly out of me super quickly before the bath had filled up. So I've had one labour with a water birth and it was fine and simple.

Dc2 - they let me in the water at 5cm. The water did help with pain relief but also eased my contractions off a bit. So I spent half an hour just floating in the water waiting for them to ramp up again. Once they became regular again I found the water helped to carry my weight and I could get into a really good squatting type position for the pushing stage and dc2 flew out in 2 pushes and I didn't even realise he was out already when the midwife handed him to me.

Pros- it helped with relieving pain of contractions and the water supported my body weight

Cons-it eased off my contraction, the whole labour would have probably been slightly quicker out of the water.

Both my births were fine and I look back on them as positive experiences, with my next I'll probably try for another water birth.

Windydayz · 10/06/2018 00:19

They check baby's HR frequently under the water. I attempted water births for both pf mine but being in the pool caused my contractions to fade both times after several hours in labour. I had been in the water 5 hours and wasnt progressing. As soon as i got out of the water my contractions returned with a vengeance. I pushed for 10 mins and delivered.

The water birth didnt go to plan on both occasions.

AornisHades · 10/06/2018 00:39

There were no cons as far as mine went. Gas & air. Tiny tear that gave me no trouble. Home the same day All good. I had a midwife who was really experienced and pro water birth so I wasn't allowed in the pool too early. It can slow labour if you het in too early.

JustVent · 10/06/2018 07:28

I popped out my 9lb 6oz baby and thank goodness for the water. It saved me from feeling like I was dying from pain.

There is no cons if you ask me.

Saraswati · 10/06/2018 08:05

I would recommend it, was great for pain relief, I didn't use anything else. I went in at 7cm had to get out after 2 hours pushing for episiotomy as I was getting tired but dd was born about 2 seconds after that and it wasn't traumatic at all. A very positive experience (she's my first). Now 18 weeks with dc2 and want a homebirth but absolutely want a birthing pool as I can't imagine getting through it without the nice warm water!

CantankerousCamel · 10/06/2018 08:06

First baby tried water but it slowed things down a bit.

Third baby gave birth in the water which was incredible, I caught her and it was very special

ApplesTheHare · 10/06/2018 08:16

As I got in the water it made me feel intensely sick and I had to get straight out. The midwives were fine but I still feel guilty about using all that water needlessly I guess just keep in mind that, whatever your preferences, the only guarantee is that childbirth never goes quite the way you expect it to. Good luck!

Sunshinesaz86 · 10/06/2018 08:37

I had a great water birth! Went off to labour ward 1/2cm with mild contractions they broke my waters labour ramped up immediately. Asked them to fill pool by the time I got in 20 mins later baby in my arms! 57 min labour in total!

Experience was much better than my first: had a tiny graze and was home the next day. Water really eased the intensity of it all just G&A

Misty9 · 10/06/2018 08:46

I planned a home water birth with first but ended up being induced in hospital as he was late. Second dc planned home water birth and although she was 11 days late it went to plan - just! I absolutely loved the water - laboured with tens machine for a few hours then in the pool and 45mins later a couple of pushes and she was out. I was very shaky so couldn't hold her for long, and she was a bit grey so they had to rub her awake, but then I was out and on a towel on my sofa starting breastfeeding. It was amazing. Then a hop upstairs to my own bed. Miles apart from my post natal ward experience with dc1. My second was 8 pounds 15.

Good luck!

Misty9 · 10/06/2018 08:48

Obviously I didn't use tens in the pool! No other pain relief after that.

OhSoTotallyLost · 10/06/2018 08:53

I didn't like the feeling of being restricted and forced into certain positions so that baby would be born under the water. Thought I'd love a birth pool but even getting in the bath at home whilst having contractions was horrible as I just felt the need to be stood up which you couldn't do in the birth pool. Ended up giving birth stood up by the bed. Not necessarily a con but worth being aware it might not be what you actually want at the time.

lulabaloo · 10/06/2018 08:54

i had 2 home water births and loved them! the water helped me relax and i just had a bit of gas and air! would definitly recommend if you are able! my 2nd baby (1st water birth) was a 9lber! and was actually my easiest labour!

ProustianMadeleine · 10/06/2018 08:58

I liked it, I liked the feeling of the warmth and the water, it felt comforting but it stalled my labour. I was ok standing but as soon as my bum hit the water and I squatted down my contractions started to go a bit...wooly. like not working properly. I ended up in hospital on a drip to bring it on. Not a rush job in an ambulance, dh took me in the car but yea it wasn't ideal.
She was a big back to back baby too.

PJ04JCW · 10/06/2018 08:58

Two home water births here, 8lb 4 and 9lb 8. Got into water as contractions got too hard to just breathe through and it helped so much. Gas and air a bit later. Would do it again tomorrow if we wanted another kid!

Rogue1234 · 10/06/2018 09:02

I agree with the above about the pain of the contractions easing when you get into the water.

However, I suffered a bad (4th degree) tear, and I think it was partly to do with the water. I was bleeding so the water was cloudy and the midwives couldn't see properly. They also barely touch you (Doppler on tummy every 15 mins to check baby's heart beat and that's it) which is a good thing generally, but does mean they can't physically support your perineum.

If I were to do it again I'd labour in the pool but get out to push.

Devon123 · 10/06/2018 09:11

You won't know till you try it! Some people love it and others don't. If you remain low risk when you go into labour give it a try. Doesn't matter if you get out and try something else

littleprettylights · 11/06/2018 09:52

i have thyroid problems so they said second time in the pool they could use a wireless monitor so that way I can still get in. I'm 32 weeks and baby is 4lbs, the nurse said it's on it,s way to being a 9lb baby too.

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