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.

Both of mine were pool births- I can’t imagine giving birth any other way! I will say though that the birth of my second was so quick they nearly didn’t have time to fill the pool! I arrived in hospital 7cm dilated and 44min later baby was born. It takes nearly 20 min to fill the pool!
Mi really helped with pain. I had absolutely no pain relief with the second but did have gas and air with the first.

@shadowboy (how do I tag someone? Lol)

Your 2nd birth sounds so like mine ! My girl was born about 40 mins after we arrived , they didn't even check me , think they assumed I was being a drama queen 😂 I didn't have any pain relief either, no gas and air and I literally stepped in the pool and she shot out 😂 about to start TTC #3 and dread to think how quick that labour will be this time !

I didn't have one but throughout my labour my partner couldn't get me out of the bath, I found my labour progressed a lot quicker whilst I was in the water and it also was so soothing, I felt so relaxed, my partner poured water over my back, I wished I could've stayed there for the whole thing x

hideandgo no it was the water birth that made my birth horrendous! I'm happy to talk about it but I'm wary of being one of those people telling birth horror stories to women that aren't on the other side yet!!

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

I’m pretty much the same. My consultant said today that she doesn’t recommend the MLU, she would prefer I had a Labour ward birth. She did say I could potentially use the pool, but not to give birth in as they’d not be able to see how much I bleed (I’m at extra risk of excessive bleeding and she even suggested that I might have to have my placenta removed by intervention rather then waiting for it to vacate by itself).
I’d have really liked a home water birth, buy hey ho.

Yes I had one in the birthing centre. I actually loved it! I just wish I'd got to the hospital sooner as I was already 9cm when I got there and would have loved some pain relief before then . I found it really relaxing and was mostly pushing for the majority. She did fly out though and it was so fast that the midwife dropped and broke her torch .

I would definitely tell them you’re interested as soon as you arrive the mlu/ward...they take ages to run! And you can always get out again if you don’t like it!

Flaming I thought she dropped and broke your baby at first

Must read more carefully.

Had one with my second, absolutely loved it! I found the water really helped with the pain and I ditched the gas and air. Heartily recommend.

I was in a pool for my labour but unfortunately had to get out before the birth as my contractions stopped.

I loved it, it was such a pain reliever. It really eased the pain and I loved being in the water.

You can express an interest in your birth plan, but it’s just luck of the draw if someone gets there first.

I had an absolutely amazing water birth at James Cook. I was induced so didn't think I would be able to. It was really lovely, so calm and peaceful - low lighting, lavender EO, etc. I had a huge baby and didn't tear either.

Depends on you I think. I’ve had two lovely waterbirths. But that’s how I deal with feeling uncomfortable (to me a long soak in the bath will go far and cure all ailments!) so it obviously relaxes me and supported me to birth naturally.

If you go for it and have curly hair that can become crazy (like mine) be sure to have a good hair bobble! I remembered this the second time and the pics of me holding new baby were much more flattering!! 😀

I had a waterbirth with my dd2 at home I also did hypnobirthing both were amazing. My second labour was hard and fast and I was beginning to panic as the contractions were so hard and fast. Getting into the pool really eased that, helped me relax, calm and get control of my breathing. I had no pain relief (but I didn’t have any for dd1 either which wasn’t a waterbirth) I didn’t like the spacey feeling the gas and air gave me so just used the hypnobirthing and water I so wish I had used both the 1st time.

I had a home waterbirth for my first. One of my main reasons for wanting to be at home was to guarantee I had a pool.

I had hip pain in pregnancy and spent a lot of time in the bath, so was fairly certain it would work for me. It did!

I definitely noticed the difference on the few occasions where I had to get out, and as my labour was quite long (about 36 hours start to finish) and my pushing stage was long (3 hours), I think I might have struggled without the support of the water etc.

I think it possibly did slow things down further, but I managed to get away with just changing position instead of actually getting out.

I’ve had 2 water births at home, just gas and air, 13 and 9 hour labours, 8lb 4 and 9lb 8 babies, brilliant for pain relief and relaxing. Good luck!