Waterbirth... anyone had one?

[LuckyLittle]

...has anyone had one?

This is my #1 option for childbirth and will try it if I can, given there are no complications and it is safe to do so. I'm terrified of childbirth but looking forward to it at the same time. A waterbirth is appealing to me.

So, has anyone had one? Did you love/hate it?

If your hospital only has one pool do you know if it is likely you'll miss out?

I've done lots of reading but it's nice to hear from people who have done it before.

I had one with DC2. I loved it (as much as anyone can love childbirth). It relaxed me and took the edge off the pain, combined with gas and air. I wanted one with DC1 but there wasn’t one available so I missed out then.

I had one - I was lucky our MLU has one in every room, is the hospital with the one your only option?

I had one in 2016 and would love one this time, I'm due January. It really helped me and managed it with just gas and air. Would recommend xx

I had one for DC1. I was induced, but only the pessary, so was still able to have a water birth. It was great, it helped a lot with the pain - I had to get out once for an internal and I couldn't get back in fast enough! It also helped because I was huge and had quite a lot of pelvic pain and the water supported my weight making it a lot easier to labour and deliver on all fours. I had a tear (10lb 1oz baby with a giant head, it's always been off the top of the percentile chart) but I got it stitched up with local anaesthetic and it healed fine. And fast. I suspect it might have been worse if I'd not been in the water for hours at that point.
DC2 was meant to be a water birth too, but she was in a hurry and I was pushing before they even got me in a room so they didn't have time to fill the pool!

@AreWeDoingThisNow sadly yes as I'm consultant led and was refused the MLU

I tried to have one but the midwife on duty wouldn't let me (not for a health or safety issue she was just a stroppy bitch) our hospital has a really low water birth rate and that's probably why.

I really hope you get the pool for your birth.

I had one and I hated it. I was in hospital and they filled up the bath for me, I must of been in it for no longer than 10 mins and asked to be moved onto the bed (which I was) really didn't enjoy it at all, I felt a bit out of control bobbing in the water. I much prefer just being on the bed!

I labored in the pool with both of mine and loved it was able to get comfortable and took edge off pain. But couldn’t deliver in pool in the end due to concerns over baby and me. I would definitely consider a birthing pool. One pool it’s pot luck whether it’s free

I had a waterbirth and would thoroughly recommend it, the pain eased as soon as I got in the water. I had to get out once to be examined and wasn’t sure if I could get back in because of the intense contractions, but I managed and a couple of hours later pushed DD out.

There were three pools in my hospital and I guess I was just lucky that one was available when I went in. If there isn’t one for you then maybe you can just stay in the bath until it’s time to push (i think they have baths in most of the rooms).

Good luck!

Hi I am planning a waterbirth too. My anxiety is around there not being enough pools or me being induced so I cant use one. I have started a hypno-birth course to help me cope with things not going to plan. I would 100% recommend it it makes you feel really in control and in charge of the birth-no matter what the outcome xxx PS I am not a mother earth hippy type in anyway... I am so give me the drugs.. but its really been an eye opener for me

@LuckyLittle sorry to hear that.

I know our local hospital (also have one on delivery) said to say when you phoned in labour that you'd like the birthing pool, but obviously not guaranteed. Fingers crossed for you though.

I had one and I hated it. I was in hospital and they filled up the bath for me, within seconds I knew that it wasn't for me, but stuck it out for an hour, as it had taken ages to fill the pool, and I didn't like to waste all that water!! It increased the pain for me, and the severity of the contractions and I also felt very out of control bobbing in the water. I couldn't find a comfy position and much prefered being on the bed!

Seems like everyone is different. I really thought that I would love it, and went in determined to have one if I could. With ds2 I went in determined to have a bed.

Go for it if it is what you want. You can always change your mind and get out if it is not for you.

I had a water birth in a MW led unit -It was brilliant (as far as l&d can be!).

In the one near me, it's a lovely room with a big warm bath / small pool.

The lights were dimmed and they had the little star type lights on the ceiling.

There was an IPod dock (didn't use this) and also a TV that they put videos of flowers opening up on to when I got stuck at 6cm for hours.

They brought drinks and snacks if we wanted them.

Afterwards, there was a private room to stay in with nice wooden furniture (double bed so husband can stay too) and a Gliding Crib for the baby. It was ensuite too, and there was a communal kitchen so you could help yourself to toast and tea or whatever.

I'd recommend it to anyone.

I’ve had two and some asshole was selfishly using it for what should have been my 3rd!

The biggest plus for me was free movement from your back to your front etc to get better control and positioning during contractions. My first (waterbirth, Not baby) came hard and fast and I laboured with my arms over the edge and crouching but afterwards had pulled rib and back muscles. My second waterburth was a long labour due to b2b and face presentation in the end. That was a bit tough and go but after labouring far to long as I did the first time, I heard them quietly phone for back up and knew I’d be taken out so I flipped onto my back and concentrated like crazy and actually managed to get the little stargazer out before they intervened.

The minus is that it’s an uncontrolled delivery and tearing is more likely. I had no tearing on my 4th who was delivered on my back on the bed (due to no pool available!) despite the scar tissue from 3 previous births with tears. That was due to Midwife coaching which they can’t do in the water.

Overall I do think water is an easier and more comfortable* birth.

There was only one pool at my hospital and I managed to get it even though it was a very busy time. I have heard it's quite unlikely to be refused because it's busy - it does happen but it's rare.

I didn't give birth in the pool, just laboured in it but it was amazing and took so much of the pressure away that it really helped with the pain as well.

I am planning to use water again and hopefully give birth in the pool this time.

I would also recommend if you're feeling anxious read the book Birth Skills by Juju Sundin. She talks about a lot of stuff I wish I'd known with my first but it's also really helpful and strong stuff she gives as tips/advice.

I was feeling anxious about the possibility of not being able to access the pool. Since reading this I'm not as worried. I would still like to use it but I'm not scared if I don't get it any more.

I'm planning one for my first in October, our hospital has a lovely big waterbirth unit with dimmed rooms and nice lights.

My friend used one in May and had a massive baby with relative ease, she really recommended it. Obviously no guarentee it will be the same but I'd like to try! And hopefully my baby will be smaller.

I just got my waterbirth with my second baby. She came so quickly after I arrived at the birthing center, I literally stepped in the pool, one push and she shot out so fast she bumped her head on the bottom 🙈 haha . She was almost born at the side of the pool, my body just started pushing on its own .

I would definitely like to try it again if I had another though! I feel like it wasn't as painful pushing her out as it was with my first, not sure if it was the water or just because it was a much quicker labour

I loved it for the pain, I'm such a water fan anyway it was always going to be more relaxing.

It did slow labour down a little, although in my case this was a blessing as it was going bloody fast but if things are already slow going it's worth bearing in mind that it might slow things further.

Mine was also, like others have said, in a mw unit rather than a hospital so it was really lovely. The rooms were dim with nice lights, beanbags and mats etc on the floor if you wanted to get down on the floor. There was not another person in the birthing unit while we were there. So relaxed, I'd definitely recommend it

I had one and it was horrific! I never know whether I should post on these threads, as I seem to be in such a minority and I'd hate to put people off. So many describe it as a wonderful experience!

I had a water birth with my first, born at 38+1.
I found it quite soothing but I struggled to keep the has and air mouth piece out the water and they took it off me lol

I would love another with this one. I recommend it to all mummy's but itd personal preference. You might hate it once you're in. My labour ward has 3 pool rooms so I can't answer about it not being available x

Strawberry, was it the water that was horrific or the birth? Because make no mistake, my two water births were horrific but the water did make it easier than it would have otherwise been. I’m not sure anyone here got in the water and then orgasmed baby out in a calm and comfortable manner 😂

I’ve had three births, two were water births and I loved them. Dry land was horrible in comparison but this is just my experience.

I've had two, though got out for the actual birth the first time because i'd been in for ages and was getting bored. The first was in hospital and the second at home. Being in the water helps you be more comfortable at a time when any position is awkward. Just feeling light and floaty was good. Being pool attendant also gave DH something constructive to do with the home birth. I was in hospital a couple of days longer than I'd hoped (private hospital) with DS1 as he had jaundice. They filled the pool up again for me on my last day and it was so lovely to float about with DS1, who seemed to enjoy it too.