Water Birth Experiances

[snoopy18]

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!

Even though my baby was born into a pool of blood and shit I’d have another water birth because it helps with the pain.

I didn't plan on a water birth, but I was taken to a room with a birthing pool in and thought I'd give it a go. It really helped with the pain and I was also alot calmer when I got in the pool. Was kneeling in the pool leaning over the edge so gravity helped a bit. Would highly recommend a water birth.

I had a water birth with my first. It was fantastic. I had been in labour for a loooong time and I was exhausted. Getting in the water was such a relief. I was able to get into a comfortable position and I think it gave me the boost I kneeded to actually give birth.

I really wanted water for subsequent births but they were at a different hospital and the pools were never available at the right time. (With my last baby the midwife was actually on the phone to a colleague trying to get me transferred into the pool when she realised it was too late as baby was already crowning)

It isn't for everyone but if you love being in water already it may well be the right option for you. I wish all my babies had been born in water!

I didn’t plan on mine but when I arrived in the delivery room they were filling it and the sound of the water was just so soothing! I practically jumped in (was 8cm) and it was amazing, really helped with pain. Like a pp my baby’s head came out seemingly ages before the next contraction and I just stared at him! I caught him and was the first to hold him and check the sex. It was very special. Hope I can do it again.

I loved being in the water. The end part of my labour went very quickly so I only managed about 50 minutes in the pool but the relief I felt after getting into the water was amazing. I went from feeling quite panicky - I dilated from 5cm to 10cm in about half an hour, and I’d had no pain relief at that point - to be able to laugh and chat between pushes . I just wish I’d been able to spend several of the hours prior in the water too. I cherish the minutes after I had sat in the pool staring at my baby and cradling him to my chest.

My first labour was twins and because of this I didn’t have much of a say on anything - was induced, epidural, episiotomy etc etc. Not a nice experience.

Second (single) pregnancy I wanted everything to be as natural as possible. Therefore I was a bit upset at being two weeks overdue and needing an induction. Went in for the induction, had a bed in triage where someone examined me - I was 4cm dilated so the plan was to break my waters when a bed became available on labour ward. Waited around for a couple hours waiting for bed/ nothing happening, decided to go for a little walk, got up and made it downstairs and outside to make a phone call, then had to abort phone call as my contractions had randomly started

I was really keen to try for for a water birth. When I arrived at the hospital 9cm dilated I jumped straight into the pool and had a lovely hour or so on gas and air in the warm water.

Sadly, my contractions totally stopped and nothing got them started again until I went onto a syntocinon drip some hours later. I ended up with an instrumental delivery in theatre. Nobody ever mentioned the possibility that the water could slow down or stop my labour but I've since learnt that this is a relatively common phenomenon.

Oops pressed send to fast!

So my contractions started, got back upstairs and by this point I’m in active labour. Asked if I could still have a water birth as they hadn’t actually done anything with me yet, they said yes! So off I went. Took them 45 minutes to fill up the pool! This was unbearable- I couldn’t sit/stand because of the pain but I didn’t want to start gas and air until I was settled (in the pool) eventually got in the pool which was such a relief, started my gas and air! Then I was probably in the pool for a good 4/5 hours, I had to get out at one point as I couldn’t wee so they had to empty my bladder for me. Baby eventually came facing up (back to back) which is why I think he took a little longer (I had a feeling he felt a bit stuck!). But all in all a good birth. I loved the calming lights and it felt very peaceful.

I laboured in water with my first but, baby got stuck and I had to get out and have a forceps delivery. I was in the water too early (was 2 decades ago so, it was fairly new and my Midwife had never delivered in a pool before) and this can slow labour down.

I had my second in water but, wasn't allowed to get into the pool when I wanted to and was only in there for 25 minutes before I delivered.

I was GBS positive for no.2 and there was a question mark over whether I could get into the pool but, I'd previously cleared this point with my consultant and I stood firm.

On both occasions, my water was clean and clear when I got out until I stood up of course as gravity drains down

It's a wonderful experience and if I'd had 10 babies, I'd have had each one in a pool - no question!

Planned to have one, but by the time we got to hospital I was already 10cm and they said the water pool would take too long to fill!
Hypnobirthing

Hi I’m new on net mums and just wandering if there are any good local casual/support groups for expectant/new mums to get together? Xx

I had my first in the pool. I got in when I was about 9cms and the water was so incredibly soothing. I really loved it and felt more in control somehow.

The pool didn't fill in time with my second, who I delivered standing up next to the pool (I refused to settle anywhere else in the room as I really wanted the pool). I'm still disappointed I didn't get the waterbirth experience that time.

No more babies planned, but if I were to have more, I would always aim for water births.

I had my first in the pool. Amazing experience. Light, weightless, bliss. I had my second in the pool. Before I had a chance to put water in it. Totally by myself. It kept the mess contained until the Calvary arrived. Both were fine births.

I had a water birth yesterday with my second baby (not an option with no 1 due to complications).

Oh it was blissful! I wasn't 100% sure about getting in because it meant taking off my TENS machine, but so glad I did! It was warm and lovely and so calming. The support of the water was wonderful. My labour was pretty fast, so by the time the pool was run and ready, I started pushing pretty much as soon as I got in, so was only in there about 15-20 minutes max, but it was lovely to birth in the water, ideal position on all fours and just felt so right.

I think I preferred being active walking around the room, and using TENS, for early and active labour, so actually glad I didn't get in the pool too early!

I had my little one in the pool. I’d hoped to use the pool for relief during labour but hadn’t planned a water birth but it was going well so stayed in there. Things were progressing very quickly and I was getting a bit panickly and felt so much calmer in the pool. Would def choose to have another water birth if it was an option!

I had my first in a pool. It really helped with the pain and I would recommend it. I only needed gas and air for the last pushing stage. From 4cm to being born was 3 hours so it definitely sped everything up for me.

I gave birth in a pool with gas and air. It really helped with the pain and general comfort.
One doenside is it's hard for the midwife to tell how much blood loss there is. I lost a lot of blood but the midwife wasn't fully aware of how much do when she asked me to get out after the birth I stood up and lost consciousness. So just be mindful and if you feel weird in any way communicate it to the midwife.

I had my second in the pool, was absolutely fantastic, especially compared to the first. So much less painful, especially at the end and i felt completely relaxed and in control the whole time. I didn’t even ask for gas and air until the crowing.

Big baby - and I’m very slight - but no stitches needed. Highly recommend!

Wow these all sound positive and amazing 😍 I’m definately sold on the idea (if all goes ok & I’m able) 💗 Love this thread so much positivity around labour and delivery!!

I live on the Berkshire / Hampshire boarders and I’m not comfortable with a home birth (for my first). How can I guarantee a waterbirth will be avail when I go into labour? 😬
Any experiences? 🙏🏼

@MatchaMum, sadly, there are no guarantees... However, if you have a choice of hospitals/MLUs, I'd suggest researching which has the higher ratio of pools to users.

Make sure to state that you're aiming for a pool birth when you phone the ward/unit to notify that you're in labour (and remind them again when you phone to say you're heading in). The midwives at my hospital said that women are left in the delivery room for a while post birth as long as there is no demand for the pool, however if they know that someone is coming in who'd like a pool birth, they'd aim to transfer to the ward a bit faster in order to get the room cleaned and ready for the next birth.

@poppins2016 thank you for the advice. Really useful info. Appreciate you taking time out to do that.

My first I wanted to have a water birth (did the hospital tour midwife led unit looked lovely with calming music and twinkly lights) but on the day it was full so I had to just go on the labour ward.

Second I had in a pool. Much better and quicker labour than the first. BUT I had a frame of reference for what labour was like this time round and was much more focused at pushing the baby out (wasn’t as worried about pooing for example!) and had learned some better breathing techniques.

I’m pregnant with my third ideally I’ll have another water birth but I’m over 40 so if I go overdue they will induce me so I won’t be alllowed one.

Good luck OP. Just don’t build all your hopes on a water birth as it might not be possible on the day. Plus .... it’s still pretty horrible and painful wherever you are.

I had a water birth ten days ago. My first baby and it was the only thing I wanted in my birth plan. I have nothing to compare it to but it was honestly the best feeling being in the water. I was only in the pool for an hour before she came into the world, I didn’t need any intervention or instructions as it just went naturally. It calmed me down and made me relaxed and focused on the task in hand. Gas and air helped too. Apart from the last few painful pushes it was amazing.

Yeah I suppose once you’re giving birth who cares about the water! And when you hold the baby and meet it for the first time 💗

Yeah good call on that to let them know when I call as and when I go into labour. Fingers crossed I’m able to experience the water birth!

@Pippinsqueak ahh amazing congrats on your new baby! That sounds like such an amazing and positive experience 💗 I’ve been doing yoga and just brought the positive birth company online course for hypnobirthing so hopefully I can actually use the stuff I’ve learnt / will learn! So glad your experience was positive 🙏🏾