Water births

[K9pal7]

Hi, can anyone give their experience with water births, would you recommend it? Do you wish you didn't have one?

I had a water birth 9 weeks ago and I absolutely loved it. Very relaxed and very different to my first who I couldn't have in the pool. Would 100% recommend! I had an excellent midwife who made sure I got in at the optimum time and my labour never slowed. My little water baby was delivered into my own hands. Magic!

My second was a water birth. It was amazing and a complete contrast to my first (back to back and incredibly painful with all drugs going!).

I also used hypnobirthing, which I highly recommend. It put me in such a good place and really facilitated the water birth.

That said, I started out completely realistic. I knew that I could go to the labour ward if I felt I needed to at any time (midwife led unit next door to maternity building). For me, it was key not to put any pressure on myself to have a "perfect" labour. My first was disappointing for this very reason.

Good luck with your pregnancy and hope it all goes well.

I hated the water, which I found odd, as I love a bath. I didn't find it did anything for pain and it took my focus away, in a bad way. I wouldn't do it again.

I really wanted one... but staffing levels and high admissions meant although I was in the pool room, there wasn’t anyone available or any spare time to fill the pool ☹️

One thing that does really put me off is the poo situation. Not so much the sievable ones, but more the liquid variety... what DO they do in that situation??

I had one with both DSs and would highly recommend. It was much easier to change position while in the water. It also felt more private.

Thanks everyone. Am only 29 weeks but have really been thinking about having one. I've been reading a lot but wanted to hear 1st hand experience. Definitely going to need to have a chat with my midwife about it next time