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

Original poster

Water Birth Experiances

52 replies

snoopy18 · 23/01/2019 07:03

We had the tour recently at the hospital and I’d been thinking about a water birth (of course depending on how the labour goes etc) and I really think it could be an option to labour in if not the actual birth!

I’d love to read about your experiences about it whether it was your first baby or second etc

Thanks!

OP posts:
ImStillHungry · 23/01/2019 07:09

I was in the water for my first and it was lovely, however as i was tired my husband had to help keep my head up, so they got me out to walk round for a bit,Labour then progressed quickly and it was too late to get back in the water amd DS was born. Im currently pregnant with DC2 and hoping to go in the water again and stay in this time as it was so relaxing, i just wasnt prepared for how tired i would be.

Happilyacceptingcookies · 23/01/2019 07:12

Didn't plan on a water birth but ended up having one for DD, it helped so much with the pain. I was going to get out for pushing but was too settled in there! She came out cold and needed to be rubbed before she cried, not uncommon with water births. Can't hide facts here.... the water was gross when I got out.

Second time round labour was so quick there was no time for the pool

ChesterBelloc · 23/01/2019 07:19

I spent some time in the bath at home with my first in the first stage, which I think definitely helped things along: that labour was 9 hours start to finish, and that included a transfer to hospital.

I've had four born in water, only one in an actual pool (definitely the most comfortable option, if you can swing it!). I love it; the water somehow cushions/dissipates the intensity of all the sensations for me, and I find it nice and private.

I'd recommend you try it; worse case scenario you don't like it and you can get out!

Skisunsnow · 23/01/2019 07:24

I have given birth to all 3 of my DC's in a birthing pool. All were fantastic experiences and I could not of imagined doing it any other way after the first one. I was very lucky in that my pregnancies were straight forward and suitable for a water birth, and also that the pools were available each time, as my local midwife led unit only have 4 rooms, 2 of which have pools.

Helsvamp · 23/01/2019 09:20

I had my second in birthing pool. But 3rd one I gave birth in the pool after a hour and half waiting for pool to fill

Darkstar4855 · 23/01/2019 09:42

I did eight hours in the pool and got from 5cm to fully dilated with only gas and air. I loved how warm it was and how I could change position whenever I felt like it and still feel supported.

I had to get out because my son was OP and not budging so ended up needing forceps but I would definitely use the pool again if I had another one.

blondeirishmummy84 · 23/01/2019 09:43

I would have loved a water birth. I got into the pool for a couple of hours when in labour with DS1 and found it really helped ease the contractions more than anything and was so relaxing.
Although I think it was maybe too relaxing because my labour didnt progress and it slowed down so I had to get out of the pool :-( then be put on an oxytocin drip to kickstart labour again and wasnt allowed back in it!!
I think if your labour is well on and you're close to being full dilated then its best to get into the pool towards the stage of your baby being born.

TerriB1984 · 23/01/2019 10:58

I had my DD in the pool (first
Child). It had never been my intention to have a water birth but planned to use the pool for pain relief in the early stages and then get out for delivery. The reality was my labour progressed pretty quickly. At one point the midwife asked me if I wanted to get out and move around a bit which I did but by then I couldn’t move and baby was born very soon after. When I got to the hospital I was only 5cm dilated but had the baby within 2 hours of getting there only using gas and air and the pool for pain relief. Currently pregnant again and fully intend to have another water birth if possible.

TerriB1984 · 23/01/2019 10:58

Also meant to say my DD was 9lb 7oz!

mrsed1987 · 23/01/2019 10:59

I didnt plan one but when i got to the hospital they had space in the birth centre and i accepted. It was brilliant..I laboured in the water right up until he was almost out and then they got me out. I had no drugs and i think being in the water helped to manage the pain (first baby!)

AutumnGlitterBall · 23/01/2019 11:14

I had a water birth with first baby. Was great for pain relief and I managed with just gas and air. However, the baby got stuck with a shoulder dystocia, it took a couple of minutes to realise he wasn’t coming and I ended up with a third degree tear as he literally ripped his way out when I stood up to get out. I then had to wait an hour for my skin to dry out to have it all repaired under a spinal in theatre. It’s hard to predict shoulder dystocias but the risk of a second is much higher having had a first so this next one will be an elective section.

adagio · 23/01/2019 11:46

I had water birth with both of my DD - laboured till 4 or 5cm at home with TENS then over to MLU and into a pool. No other pain relief. I didn’t think it helped much with the pain until I got out fit the midwife to check progress and realised it was helping a lot! I hated gas and air, it made me sick.

It felt lovely and private (you sort of don’t realise water is clear when you are in there!) and as a bonus the baby comes out washed 😁 both my girls sort of swam at the bottom before I lifted them up - I was the first to touch them and hold them, it was great.

Water can slow things down so do your research, I made sure I was well established before I got in. I was also lucky both mine were straight forward and relatively easy births.

Good luck!

Original poster
snoopy18 · 24/01/2019 07:45

Ooo these all sound super positive

Yeah the thought of the water after birth knocks me sick haha but if during labour I’m able to use the pool I think I’ll go for it assuming I can 🤔

Good to read so many positive experiences!

Bath and shower has helped me heaps during the pregnancy so far - love the feeling of being weightless as bump gets bigger which is why the birth pool seems so appealing to me 😍

Fingers crossed for being able to use one!

OP posts:
samsward87 · 24/01/2019 09:54

I had a water birth with my son, and hoping to have one with baby no.2.

I knew I wanted one straight away, although most of my actual labour was out of the pool. I spent a long time with a tens machine strapped to me and bouncing on a ball. the only hiccup we had was that despite it being in my notes, and my husband constantly telling the staff I wanted a water birth, they didn't quite get the message, and it was almost too late. I pretty much started pushing as soon as I got in the pool. Didn't need any other pain relief other than gas and air to take the edge off. Found it very comforting, and baby came out happy and not too stressed. Deffo recommend it if you can!

Raisinbrain · 24/01/2019 10:06

I was in the water for a while when I was in labour with my first baby. It was lovely but I had to get out to have an epidural because after a while I couldn't cope with the pain.
Second baby was induced so it wasn't an option but I would have given it another go otherwise.

annlee3817 · 24/01/2019 10:45

I got in the water at 5cm which is when I had arrived on the birthing centre, I was fully dilated and pushing within 90 minutes. Whilst it was nice to float around between contractions, I didn't feel it made any difference to the pain and I got really hot and bothered in there. So they got me out around an hour into pushing and I instead went on all fours on a giant bean bag with a fan on me, which for me was total bliss :)

greathat · 24/01/2019 11:50

I really wanted one both times. You're not allowed if there's any complications though so be warned you might not get one :(

OnceUponAGiraffe · 24/01/2019 11:56

I’ve had two (couldn’t have for my first as he had meconium in his waters). First time I was in the pool for perhaps an hour and a half, second time only for about 20 minutes. I’d obky slightly torn the first time and didn’t tear at all during the pool births. I much preferred it to my first births but did however find it much more “isolating” than when the world and his wife were around my bed when the first one was born (actually: two midwives, paediatrician, obstetrician, husband) as the physical barrier of the pool means you’re in there by yourself. But it works! Didn’t look at the water either time (I got out very quickly) but I imagine it was very grim!

spinabifidamom · 24/01/2019 15:11

I had a water birth at the hospital. I was informed that if all is well and baby is healthy, they did not foresee any problems. However I had to get out to deliver.
I made sure it was in my notes. Try it. What is the worst that could happen? As soon as DS was born, he was swiftly whisked away by the medical team. We were very careful.
It definitely helped with pain.

Pastaagain78 · 24/01/2019 15:13

3 babies, 2 water births, both better than dry land!

Sophisticatedsarcasm · 24/01/2019 15:38

I never got offered with either of mine, but saying that for the first I was in one of the worst nhs trusts and 2nd I’m not sure why I wasn’t offered.

Blondie87 · 24/01/2019 15:40

Had a waterbirth with my 2nd and I loved it. I found the sensations and warmth of the water helpful with managing pain. Were I to have another I’d definitely aim for a waterbirth! All the best x

higgyhog · 24/01/2019 15:58

I've had two waterbirths, the degree of comfort in the water is so much greater, I just lay there with my chin over the edge and floated. The first wasm in hospital so all the work was done for me in filling the pool etc. For the second we hired a birthpool to use at home, this was good as it gave DH and DS1 something to do while we were waiting.

Musmerian · 24/01/2019 16:16

I had a pool for all three of my births. First one was NHS midwives and they wouldn’t let me stay in for the first stage so ended up tearing. The other two with independent midwives and made huge difference the third stage. Less painful no tearing. Hugely recommend .

Slightlyjaded · 24/01/2019 16:33

Water birth for DD1. Similar experience to lots of others. Wasn't really planned, but I got in and was really comfortable and didn't want to move. Despite being quite loud and shouty in real life, I have had surprisingly quiet and still labours and found the birthing pool felt calm and comforting. I recall at one point feeling cold and thinking I should tell someone, and when I finally did the MW was a bit horrified and 'you should have said!" - they quickly topped up the warm.

Water is a bit gross at the end, but frankly so what.

The strangest part was that DD's head came out and I didn't get a second contraction for a while. I could see her head between my legs though the water. Her eyes were open and she was kind of looking up at me but still half in me. It felt like ages, but was probably only about 30 seconds, but that's when I fell head over heels in love with her.