Water birth stories?

[minilemonade]

So far I've only really heard good ones and I'm considering going down this route if all goes to plan. If anyone's had one and wouldn't mind telling me about it I'd really appreciate it!

Well I didn't actually end up giving birth in the pool. I planned to my whole pregnancy and was really looking forward to it. as soon as I arrived at hospital I asked for the pool. The lovely midwife went off to fill it up, came back to show me through and I started crying saying I didn't want it (whoops!) so off she went to pull the plug, and 10 minutes later I decided I wanted it again. Anyway, I went in and immediately regretted it. I couldn't get comfortable and wanted out. I had a very quick labour so once I came out I went into bed and within minutes head was out. My friend had a pool birth and said it was amazing and so relaxing. Everyone is so different! I'm going to try again next time because I really like the idea.

😂 that sounds like something I would do

I had a waterbirth with ds1. Absolutely loved it. It was instant pain relief and really relaxing in between contractions.
I wanted one with ds2 but he came too quickly. Have planned for a home waterbirth with DC3. Hopefully in the next 3 weeks!

OMG the pool for me was the best water I've ever been in.
I'm sure it relaxed me so much it helped bring on all my births as had them all shortly after getting in the pool.
What worked for me was keeping moving until I literally couldn't stand anymore then get into the pool.
Whenever I had a contraction I'd kind of kneel and lean against the side like on all fours but not quite as this opens up you pelvis more.... although I have to say it was instinctive.

You probably only hear good water birth stories because (at hospital/MLUs at least) you aren't usually allowed in the pool if there are any complications.

I planned water births with both DC. I couldn't have one with DC1, even though it was a straightforward birth, because his heart rate had to be monitored because of meconium in my waters (although I think there are now monitors that can go in the water). With DC2 I had a short and easy labour and only just made it into the pool to have him. The water made a huge difference to the pain. I was home having a cuppa three hours later!

Ive had two babies on dry land. Everything was perfectly normal. One on a bed, one on my knees on a big bean bag thingy. All went to plan but I actually struggle to recall much of what went on. All I could remember was pain. Lots and lots of pain. Just gas and air and pain. This would be because I'm a total wimp though.

My last baby was a water birth. I got into the birthing suite and casually mentioned that I should have tried a water birth this time and the midwife said, "Ooh, we can do that!" Five minutes later it was ready and it was absolutely 'effing amazing!
I went into the water and the pain immediately fell from an 11 on the scale to maybe a 4 or 5! I was completely lucid this time and felt in more control than I had ever been during my labours. Of course I was still sucking on gas and air as usual like my life depended on it but it was so much better labouring and birthing in water.

I had one for my first and will hopefully do the same for this one.

I had a long pushing stage of close to 3 hours and had already been in labour for about 30 hours, mostly on my feet. I think the water was a big part of the reason I was able to cope despite being shattered, as it took a lot of the weight off so my energy was not wasted on holding myself up etc.

I didn’t find the pain relief to be as great as some people seem to, but it was enough to notice a difference when I got out and did more than gas and air did for me.

I was lucky enough to have a water birth. I'd been in labour at home for around 36 hours and was in quite a lot of pain, but I felt loads better in the pool. The pain was much more bearable for me (I did also have gas and air) and feeling more comfortable allowed me to concentrate on my breathing more. I would definitely recommend one and am hoping for one with DC2, but I am very aware that babies do not always want to do what we want them to! 😁
My hospital also offered a water birth talk and visit to the birthing suites, which we did. If your hospital offers these, I would recommend attending one.

Do you want horror stories? I'm always wary of wading in with my water birth tale!!

Just had a water birth, similar to a PP I just made it into the pool in time (waters broke and urges to push as soon as I arrived at hospital) and baby was born about 20 mins later. It was still painful and I had gas and air but way less painful than my previous birth on a bed on my back, I was on my knees and leaning on the side of the pool so I think gravity helped with the pushing and I felt much more in control. I had an episiotomy with my first but managed no cuts or tearing this time, woo hoo!

I had a water birth with DS and would love to do it again with this baby.

Waters broke at 4.30am. Went into hospital at 8.45am as couldn't stand the pain any longer. They wanted to send me home as it was my first baby and I was only 1cm dilated. Fast forward a refusal to leave and an exam 2 hour later which showed I was now 6cm and I went down to labour ward. My lovely midwife offered me the pool (I actually think they aren't that in demand where I am as she was really keen for me to use it). As soon as I went in it was amazing. I had gas and air too but the water definitely helped. DS was back to back and I struggled staying standing which annoyed me as I had always planned an active labour. The pool meant I could lean over and remain relatively active but the water took my weight which was helpful. The whole suite had lovely dimmed lighting and music.

Also, I love the fact that DS came out in the pool and was relatively clean when in my arms 😂

Oh and just to add, they advised me to go for a bath while in hospital when I wasn't far gone enough for their liking and it was awful. Climbed out of that quickly! One of the major benefits, other than the water, is how you can just lean/float freely. A bath is so restricting and not the same at all!

Yes also horror stories please @strawberryalarmclock! Thank you everyone :)

Intrigued to hear @strawberryalarmclock story!

This for positing this thread OP,
I had ruled out a water birth but now kind of considering!

I’m definitely considering a water birth if all goes to plan, my local hospital has a lovely new pool room!

Does anyone know if there’s a time limit on how long they like you to be in the pool? I’m anticipating a long labour as this is my first and wasn’t sure if it would be ok to go in early on and stay in if I like it or whether it would be better to try and labour out of the pool and then get in closer to the end.

I’m fully prepared for the fact that I might hate it/decide on a epidural instead/end up having a emergency CS etc. but it would be useful to have a rough idea!

Yes thanks for posting OP! I too am now considering it. I assume it’s different at all hospitals, but does anyone know how likely it is to be able to have a water birth if you want one? I saw on my hospitals website they have 2 birthing pools so assume it’s just First come first served?!

Loved it with my first. Only got out when they made me. It did nothing for me with my second. Didn't help the pain and I was asking for an epidural within 20 minutes of getting in. It might be because I didn't have access to gas and air with DS2, though. I did find the combination helpful.

Very interested in this thread as I too am considering a water birth if the option is available for me. @strawberryalarmclock please share your story!

Does anyone know how warm the water is allowed to be? Presumably it can’t be too hot for when baby comes out...

It's pretty likely to get one if you're low risk and want it. You could ask your hospital how often someone is turned away but when I've asked it's always been rare.

I gave birth to both my dc in a birth pool. DS who is 8 and DD who is 1. Both straight forward, calm and pretty serene. After having DS in the water I couldn't have imagined delivering any other way so was very lucky to have the same type labour with DD. If a water birth is a possibility to you and there is a pool available then give it a go, it might not be for you or it might be a massive help like it was for me. Good luck

I've had 3. Two in the hospital, one at home. All without pain relief as I didn't like gas and air but if you do it's a great option.

With my first I had a third degree tear. Due to my positioning and the water, my midwife couldnt see that I was tearing. With my 2nd and 3rd when it came to pushing I had more coaching and I made them get me up and have me lean over the side of the pool so that they could observe and use mirrors easier. I'd say that this is a major tip that you should use to avoid the vaginal trauma that I had.

Just to add- My first I was induced and still had one, my 2nd I was recommended a CS due to the tearing with DD1 but i turned it down and all still went ahead in the pool.

@Gobletoffire here goes.... I had a water birth with ds, labour was moving rapidly when I got into the pool at 6cm dilated and initially it felt amazing and helped with the pain.
Things moved quickly and I was in a lot of pain, I had gas and air too but was desperate to get out of the pool after a while but couldn't. I hated being in there and felt trapped, it was horrible! I couldn't move I was in so much pain and even with dh trying to help me out I couldn't (for context I'm tiny even when pregnant!)
As I reached the pushing stage the pool went very pink, I remember the midwife and dh trying to reassure me
but as my ds entered the world the water was turning red and as I lifted him up, by contrast he was blue and had the cord around his neck
The next part was literally the worst 5 minutes of my life, I remember alarms going off, the look of sheer panic on my midwives face and the room was suddenly so full of people (all of whom looked worried!)
Ds was taken from me and as I was helped out of the pool I can vividly remember dhs look of horror as I emerged from the water with blood pouring from me.
Ds was ok, it felt like a lifetime but he rapidly started breathing and his face filled with colour but the memory of how he looked is still so vivid
Sadly I was rushed to theatre to be repaired, ds was 9lb and I had torn very badly (hence the pink water!) Had I been out of the water I could have been helped, as it was, I honestly felt like I was an animal giving birth under a bush!
Consequently I didn't see ds for sometime after birth and obviously it took a long time for all the damage to repair!
I appreciate that my story is perhaps unusual but I bitterly regret entering the water and still feel haunted by what could have happened to both of us if I hadn't managed to push ds out as quickly as I did. As it was I ended up badly damaged (thankfully all is ok 13 years later!) but at least he was out quickly and in time for the medical team to save him.

Water is usually 37 degrees. Not sure how long you’re allowed to stay in- I was in for about 6 hours from 6cm but mine was a homebirth so I’m not sure if it’s different in MLU/hospital.

I did have to get out a few times for a wee and nearly had to get out when things slowed down, but managed to get them moving just by changing position.