Water birth: is getting out of the pool painful?

[MusicTES]

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!

Not painful. I’m 5 ft 2, had one of the inflatable ones (built in ones all in use when I got to the hospital). I got in between contractions, and I had DH holding one arm and the midwife holding the other, so I felt totally supported. I didn’t have to get out for “inspections”, just stand up and bend over (wonderfully dignified!) so the midwife could take a look. After DD was born, the only bit that was a bit awkward was passing her under my leg - I gave birth kneeling and leaning forward over the side of the pool (sooooo relaxing actually), so she came up behind me but the midwife wanted me to get her round to the front before the cord was cut. That felt weird, but the midwife had a very solid grip on my arm so I wasn’t afraid I’d fall and it certainly didn’t hurt. Getting out was tricky, but just because I’d started to feel wobbly by that stage, it wasn’t painful, I just felt really weird and loose at the pelvis, so I wasn’t sure my legs were going to work properly!

Oh my gosh!! I never expected so many answers and such positivity! Thank you all so much :) xx