Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Water birth: is getting out of the pool painful?

27 replies

MusicTES · 09/06/2020 14:30

Hi all - I'm a first timer and considering using a birthing pool as pain relief. But I'm short, 5'2, and wondering if getting in and out of the pool will actually be really painful and difficult due to hips opening, baby being engaged, contractions etc etc. The pool edges seem deep, so I'm genuinely wondering how difficult it would be to get in and out! Just wondered how others managed to get in and out of the pool. I wouldn't want to feel 'trapped' in the pool or have a bit of a traumatic time getting out of it.

Thanks so much for your advice!

OP posts:

IgnoranceIsStrength · 09/06/2020 14:32

I honestly dont remember it hurting but you are in that weird state of exhaustion, gas and loopiness that comes from giving birth. the one I was in had steps on the one side so easy to walk in (though again I have fuzzy memories)

Napqueen1234 · 09/06/2020 14:34

Hello I had a bit of an accidental pool birth with DC2 as planned a home birth (no pool hired) but ended up going in and was offered a pool. It was great- as lovely as birth can be I suppose! I used the hospital ones which are plumbed in and hard and it had steps going in and out so I don’t remember finding it hard to get in and out of plus you have your birth partner and the midwife who will help you. I did find it weird afterwards being in the water all of a sudden it’s like ‘right time to get out’ and you’re stark naked covered in blood stained water having to clambour out sopping wet but it was fine! The hardest part is waiting for the thing to fill! Are you planning a home or hospital birth? Good luck and fingers crossed It goes to plan :)

Pantheon · 09/06/2020 14:35

I don't remember it hurting or being hard to get out of. If we have another I'd go for a water birth again.

OccasionalNachos · 09/06/2020 14:35

I didn’t find it painful. I had to get out for an exam and for the pool to be cleaned when I was about 8cm dilated, that wasn’t great but it was manageable. Between contractions it didn’t reallly hurt at all so I actually had to get out quite quickly in order to get over to the bed and lean on it for the next contraction. If you need to use the bathroom you’ll need to get out anyway. It’s partially why they don’t like you to get in too early in labour.

After DS was born we stayed in the pool for about 5-10 mins, then someone took him to get dried off and wrapped up and a midwife and DP took me by the arms. There are little steps on the outside of the pool. Someone else brought a towel for my shoulders and placed towels on the bed for me.

I remember the weirdest part was the clamp on the end of the cord, banging against my knee - I reached to pick it up and hold onto it.

Loved my water birth and would definitely recommend it if you like the idea!

ItWorriesMeThisKindofThing · 09/06/2020 14:39

Was fine for me both in hospital pool and in an inflatable one at home. I am 5’3 and had mild SPD (maybe they call it PGP now?) with the second baby and it was still fine.

GoatsDoRome · 09/06/2020 14:49

I started off in a birthing pool but it did naff all for me so I had to get out to get a pethidine injection. I remember it took a long time to get from the pool to the bed because of the contractions increasing in severity due to the lack of water, but I don’t remember the actual physical act of moving being painful

Persiaclementine · 09/06/2020 15:24

No it doesnt hurt, but trying to get out in between contractions is a bit scary as you dont want to have one on the steps incase you slip ! That's all I could think of when I had to get out

HauntedGoatFart · 09/06/2020 15:32

I don't remember it being at all painful or difficult to get in or out, although I gave birth in a birthing suite and it was plumbed in with, I think, steps.

Getting out of the pool during labour, I disliked violently, because the pool was so wonderful

flissity · 09/06/2020 15:36

Hi - I’m 5ft 1! And had a water birth on Saturday. It was my second.

It was fine getting in/out. Had husband one side and midwife the other holding me under my elbows. It was such a relief getting in - the warm water felt amazing.

There was a step into it and a submerged ‘seat’ I stepped onto inside the pool.

After the birth- you’re in such a sense of euphoria that getting out is no issue. Just wobbly legs maybe!

GreyishDays · 09/06/2020 15:38

You wouldn’t normally be getting out of it while having contractions, if you’re aiming to give birth in the water.

I was a bit frightened of the idea of opening my legs tbh. But it was fine.

Wecandothis99 · 09/06/2020 15:43

I don't think that's gonna be the painful bit

Squaffle · 09/06/2020 16:17

I’m 5’3” and I don’t remember any trouble getting in or out. There are steps with railings and I think my midwife and DH helped me out afterwards. I remember my legs shaking but absolutely no pain... as PP said it’s not the painful bit! Good luck and enjoy your little one

HauntedGoatFart · 09/06/2020 16:26

@GreyishDays

You wouldn’t normally be getting out of it while having contractions, if you’re aiming to give birth in the water.

I was a bit frightened of the idea of opening my legs tbh. But it was fine.

I had to get out twice, once for a dilation check and then I got out and gave birth on dry land, because the midwives were worried the water was lengthening my pushing phase. So it can happen, or you may stay in until after the birth.

annlee3817 · 09/06/2020 16:40

I'm 5 ft t 1 and had no problems, my DH and the midwife helped me in, and then when I wanted to get out an hour into the pushing stage they helped me out, no extra pain, they got me out quite speedily before my next contraction

Microwaveoven · 09/06/2020 16:45

I didn't get out once I was In until after the birth. I got a bit stuck as DDs cord was really short and I couldn't hook my leg up enough to get out. I don't actually remember what happened. I think a bit of team work with midwives and DH helping me out.
Your whole body hurts during labour a little bit more won't bother you anyway 😂

IJustWantFiveMinutesAlone · 09/06/2020 16:49

I had to use a little step to get in but it was fine. I took off the tens machine, had a huge contraction so getting in the pool was bliss. Z

DinkyMamma90 · 09/06/2020 16:57

I am so pleased you've asked this question, I am thinking about this too and I am 5"0 hubby is 6ft 3 so I am sure he can fish me out
Also, how warm is the water?

Splattherat · 09/06/2020 17:02

I am tall but i am sure they brought steps and the midwife and DH held my hands when i was getting out as my blood pressure wasn't right and I was feeling a bit faint.

If you Labouring in the birthing pool with the warm water is so worth it as you can move about easier and try different positions. I had to come out for delivery but I was reluctant to come out.

edgeware · 09/06/2020 17:04

I was in and out constantly to go for a wee. Can’t remember finding it hard. They kept telling me I could just wee in the pool but I couldn’t 😂

edgeware · 09/06/2020 17:05

@DinkyMamma90 warm! Bath warm. They’d top it up with more warm when it got too cold. I feel like they took the temp to make sure it wasn’t too warm?

Pippinsqueak · 09/06/2020 17:11

No I was completely fine, little woozy from gas and air but literally back to normal within a few mins

DinkyMamma90 · 09/06/2020 17:14

@edgeware Thank you, That's good to know, I can't decide whether I would be too hot and bothered or that it would be relaxing.

Thatsanicepear · 09/06/2020 17:26

I'm 4' 11" and it didn't hurt but I did need help getting in and out. Which I had to do constantly because being in the water made me need a pee almost constantly!

sarahc336 · 09/06/2020 18:03

I'm 5 foot 1 and got in during labour fine, don't even remember it to be honest and then got out fine, in my trust you have to get out to deliver the placenta so I managed to get out with this still attached and was fine

edgeware · 09/06/2020 18:11

@DinkyMamma90 it was very relaxing, really helped with the pain from the contractions. I didn’t actually give birth in the pool but it helped with pain management.

Flip

1 2