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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Water birth

27 replies

Birdy1991 · 02/06/2020 15:22

This might be the wrong topic but pregnancy is the only one I use.
Please tell me your experiences of having a water birth whether positive or negative 😊

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SkinnywannabeKBH · 02/06/2020 15:26

I've had 2 water births. 1st one, the birthing pool was unavailable so I was in a larger bath. It wasn't easy as I wasnt able to change my position so was on my back the whole time, pushing baby out took longer. But I loved it. It was soothing and helped with the pain. When I was out walking around it was more uncomfortable.

Baby no;2 was in a proper birthing pool and was so much more comfortable as you had space to move around and change positions.

If I was to go again, I'd definitely try for another waterbirth.

Original poster

Birdy1991 · 02/06/2020 15:30

Sounds amazing to be honest, I’m pretty sure it’s what I want to do! Just worried as you can’t have pain relief as well but sounds like it’s more comfortable in the first place.

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Johnny1963 · 02/06/2020 15:32

I had an amazing water birth. Water really helped with the pain. I was coping with a TENS machine beforehand (was sceptical about them but it totally worked for me.) The pool cushions you and your weight really well in labour which helped my energy levels. I did tear, apparently water is supposed to make it less likely but not in my case.

Seeing your baby come up through the water is magical. I had a great experience and would totally recommend.

A friend of mine got in and changed her mind so be aware that it won't suit everyone.

DH would also say never look back as he's still haunted by the sight of the pool after labour.

Tootletum · 02/06/2020 15:33

Just get a TENS

ItchySeveredFoot · 02/06/2020 15:35

I had a water birth with dd2. Much preferred it to dd1's birth but she had to be constantly monitored. I was in the birthing pool at the hospital. Lots of room to move around. I also had a long tube from the wall with gas and air which I definitely used!

TiptopJ · 02/06/2020 15:38

I really liked it. I was in there during active labour, I had gas and air to help with the pain.
The benefits are: you can move around a lot easier and try lots of different positions- I found being on all fours supported by the water the most comfortable. If you enjoy being in water normally which i do it helps keep you calm and focused. If you chose to have one and then decide against it or decide you've had enough that's easier than requesting it later on in labour.

Cons- the water can get a bit manky towards the end. I ended up getting out to push as I looked at what I was sitting in and it grossed me about a bit. You have to get out if you want more than gas air for pain relief.

Carouselfish · 02/06/2020 16:23

The water did really help. Before it I used tens and during I used gas and air. Only rubbish bit was having to climb out with jelly legs to sit on what amounted to a metal bucket to deliver the afterbirth.

WeeScottishWife · 02/06/2020 18:45

I'm planning to have a water birth, so following thread keenly to hear stories!

Original poster

Birdy1991 · 02/06/2020 18:51

Thanks everyone that’s really helpful 😊. Fingers crossed there’s one available at the hospital when I go into labour.

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firstimemamma · 02/06/2020 19:21

My experience- 16 hour labour. 75% of it spent at home doing hypnobirth exercises so no water involved. My birthing ball was an amazing tool.
Remaining 25% at hospital where the birthing pool was so although I technically had a water birth because I gave birth in the water, the majority of my time was spent at home which worked really well for us.
The only pain relief I had was a bit of gas and air while in the pool. It did bugger all to relieve the pain but I did like the 'out of it' feeling and breathing it in was a sort of distraction technique.
Good luck

firstimemamma · 02/06/2020 19:22

P.s I loved being in the water and would recommend if it's a possibility for u.

Livenearhere · 02/06/2020 19:26

First in birth pool, second in large bath (wasn’t time for the pool) it’s amazing for pain relief. I personally didn’t find the water got manky although I have very quick labours so wasn’t in there more than 2 hours. Get a top up if the water goes cool.

Theforest · 02/06/2020 19:28

I had one in a birthing centre for my second child. Definitely recommend it if possible. Warm and relaxing, and gas & air available. SO much better experience than my first delivery.

The only thing which I was worried about beforehand was that I didnt want to be sat there totally starkers, but I wore a tankini top

Eyre89 · 02/06/2020 19:28

I was really lucky to get a birthing suite that was free for midwife led care in the hospital for ds2. It was brilliant. Pain relief they allowed me pethidine before I was in the pool but it did nothing except give me a sore thigh. I had gas and air in the pool. It just distracts you from the pain. The actual water helped me most. And the birthing ball leading upto it. I loved my water birth. Didn't tear and the whole birthing suite was amazing. If you have the chance to put that as preference I definitely would.

I had a private shower, double reclining bed, all baby incubator needs, floor space stirrups luckily not needed and the pool and other equipment like birthing ball.

The pool was really soothing and helped me most with the pain. I'd definitely try it.

EventRider1 · 02/06/2020 19:29

I did most of my labour in a pool which was lovely. It was so relaxing and really helped me get comfortable as it was easy to move positions. Unfortunately I had to get out shortly after i started pushing as I was bleeding a bit more than they ideally liked and I felt out of control (probably because I was off my tits on gas and air! ). However, it was lovely up until that point and I will definitely ask for another pool if I have another baby.

Darkstar4855 · 02/06/2020 19:41

I laboured for eight hours in the pool and loved it. The water helped loads with the pain and supported me in whatever position I wanted to be in. Had to get out for delivery as baby turned OP and needed forceps but would definitely opt for the pool again next time.

HarrietM87 · 02/06/2020 19:44

I was in water for the last hour of labour (had tens before that) and I absolutely loved it. The feeling stepping in was total utter bliss. I had gas and air while I was in the pool and I got into a really good position kneeling against the side. I did tear but baby’s head was 95th centile so think would have been hard to avoid! I’m pregnant again and really hoping I can have another one.

formerbabe · 02/06/2020 19:45

I had a water birth with my second dc. Didn't plan it but the room I was in had a birthing pool so they offered it to me...it was really great. I love being in water anyway...it was definitely a positive experience for me.

GlennRheeismyfavourite · 02/06/2020 19:56

I had a water birth with my daughter. It's was brilliant- still painful but felt that I could deal with the pain in the water. I would have really really struggled if they'd told me to get out. I was in the bath at home, got in the car then straight into the pool in the hospital. Got into the pool at 7.30ish, had her at 12.03. Had gas and air the whole time. Didn't need any other pain relief. Got out to deliver the placenta. Went back into the bedroom, did a first breastfeed and then had a few stitches. I say this as I'd heard that stitches have to be delayed if you've been in water and that put me off but in the event it all went smoothly and I didn't feel like the waiting for the stitches was hanging over me IYSWIM!

Original poster

Birdy1991 · 02/06/2020 20:01

Wow thanks for the amount of responses... doesn’t seem to be a negative so far? I’m seeing my midwife tomorrow so I will discuss with her then 😊 I love being in water, swimming or bathing or just floating so I think I’d be in my element (as much as one can be while giving birth!)

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fassnk · 02/06/2020 20:11

I laboured in the birthing pool and loved it. I didn't like the gas and air as it made me feel sick, so I just used breathing exercises and the warm water supporting me to help through contractions. I wore a bikini top, for some bizarre reason I didn't want to be naked! I didn't deliver in the water (I don't really know why I got out, but it must have been because I knew baby was imminent) but the whole experience was very calm and relaxed. I have baths to cure everything in day to day life (if I'm cold, tired, pissed off, sad) so it really worked for me :)

sarahc336 · 02/06/2020 20:30

See I'm the opposite, I did most of my labour at hone stood up pacing around, got to hospital already at 9cm and got in the pool. Personally I found I felt a bit stuck in as the only real position you can be in is on your hands and knees and i feel my labour slowed down a bit. I still tore too even though I was in the water. Personally this time round I think I'll stay out of the pool so I can walk around more, this must suit me better so I personally found the pool a bit unhelpful really and I felt a bit hemmed in but everyone else seems to love them x

LeekPeachPlum · 02/06/2020 20:35

I laboured in the birthing pool (for about 1/3rd of my labour) before an emergency c section. The birth pool was lovely and relaxing. I had spent many months envisaging giving birth in water and was heartbroken that I wasnt able to. I hope you are able to have a waterbirth but I just wanted to share my experience as i wouldnt want you to feel how I felt if it doesnt work out for you. Best of luck

stormy11 · 02/06/2020 21:07

As a previous post said keep an open mind so you aren't disappointed if you can't have one. I wrote a birth plan and it didn't even get looked at and needed an emergency cesarean. Good look op and I hope it works out for you.

Original poster

Birdy1991 · 02/06/2020 21:18

@stormy11 I’m thinking water birth facilities probably won’t be free as they seem to be very popular so I’m not holding out much hope... but 🤞

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