Anyone not get the water birth they wanted?

[JustAnotherUserinParadise]

Hi Everyone,
I am hoping to have a water birth, (currently 26 wks and low risk so far).
For some reason I am really worried that when I need to go in to hospital the pools will all be occupied and I won't get it! I could see myself suddenly getting completely unreasonable and refusing to get out of the bath at home...
What do you think the chance of this is? Has anyone had it happen to them?

There wasn’t time to fill the pool so I gave birth in the birthing suite bath, so don’t worry too much if the pool isn’t available (the baths a big!) I did tell them I’d be getting in and would not be getting out! My midwife was great.

Ooh I didn't know they had "normal" baths too

Yes...She came at home before I even made it
To the car let alone hospital. There was plenty of pools available though according to the midwife on the phone though!

Ha ha ha - I wanted this and ended up with an Induction and crash section. Better not to have too fixed a birth plan. Better to be flexible!

Honestly I’d just keep your options open, until your in labour you won’t know how your body reacts to it all.

Don’t have your heart set on a particular birth to then be disappointed if you don’t get it!

This happened to me - the pools were all full. Tbh by that point I didn't really care that much though I am a bit miffed that they didn't have one for every room.

I wanted a water birth with all of mine. Then labours were very prolonged/long and I just handed myself over to the amazing staff for safe deliveries.
Stay flexible about what will happen!

I requested one both times and both times the baby arrived before they could fill the pool.

Yes - twice!

But not due to the pool not being free...

First time, made it to the hospital with 20 mins to spare.

Second time, made it to the hospital with 10 mins to spare.

I live in a rural area with a large catchment and 1 hospital. Lots of people want waterbirths but of the 8 women I know who've had babies in the last 2 years, none of them got it. Normally because the pool wasn't available but sometimes due to being induced, epidural etc.
They all had fine births though and have forgotten all about it now. My sister was disappointed though and I think she found it hard as it wasn't as she'd pictured it. Just try to visualise other scenarios, too.
The only person I know who did had a home birth.
What's your hospital like? How many pools do they have?

My hospital is a large teaching hospital in a small city.
I've checked their website and they have two birth pool rooms with big pools, then 10 other labour rooms, some of which have normal baths, some not (but it doesn't say how many).

I thought I’d really want the pool, when it came to it I couldn’t be moved for love nor money off the toilet in the room, it was the only place I was comfortable😂 I had it ran but at the time just wanted to sit on the loo with my gas and air!

Did with my first, not my second. The pool was available but my waters went and there was meconium so no chance. It’s hard I know but don’t get your heart set on it, there are so many factors out of your control as to whether it happens that way or not.

haha yes I'm aware I might change my mind or not be allowed it for other reasons, I'm just really worried they'll be "fully booked"!

I wanted one, was admitted two days before and all the rooms with baths were full. I wasn't hugely impressed as water is my way of dealing with pain and the epidurals didn't work. But then nothing else went right either, and it really doesn't matter now she's here

Same as a PP, really wanted a water birth, ended up with pre eclampsia, failed induction and emergency c-section. Absolutely plan for what you ideally want, but also don't hang too much on it, your baby will arrive in whatever way it decides!

I desperately wanted a water birth on the MLU... Then I went to 42 weeks so was told I had to give birth on the consultant unit (where they had one pool, which was in an occupied room but the nurses told me that the lady wasn't using it!!) At the time I was really distressed at the idea of not having a water birth... 3 years later I'm over it and am actually very open to anything with our next child (I'm currently pregnant). I think me fixing on the water birth the first time around was more about me wanting to try and create some certainty beforehand in what felt like a new, scary and uncertain situation. Whatever happens you'll be ok 😊

Tbh you don’t really “get” a birth. You “give” birth. It’s a process you undertake, which is a means to an end.
First time I had lots of delusions about the birth experience etc (ended up being induced alone, hyper-contracting, back-to-back birth, forceps, baby needed resusc etc). Second time I realised its not about an experience you ‘get’ so I kept an open mind, hoped for a water birth but before they could fill it I delivered on all fours on the bed.

Both happy healthy babies. Could ask for anything more.

Both times, they weren't even interested. Birth plans are a joke.

100 year ago when i gave I just didn't fancy getting in the water.

I'm not fixed on the idea, just "hoping" as I said in my OP! My "plan" (and yes I've heard MANY stories about it never going to plan) is basically a list in order of what I'd like to try, and water is the top thing!

@wirldsgonemad what do you mean?

Pools were always available, but first two my waters were stained so they wouldn't let me into the lovely big pool they'd already drawn!! With my third I went from 5-10 cm in 15 minutes, so no chance. Don't worry, it's not the only way to have a nice birth and don't forget, rather like weddings, it's only a day, not the rest of your life with your child.

I had a home birth specifically because i wanted a pool and they arent guaranteed at hospital. Its worth considering if u are low risk.

I was high risk so it wasn't an option for me but my sister was low risk.

She didn't get her water birth as labour lasted a grand total of 4 hours from first twinge to baby out. They didn't even have time to get her onto a proper bed so things like this can happen as well to stop you getting one.