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?

I know this isn't exactly what you asked but might be reassuring?! I hope!

I was the same as you, really wanted to try a birthing pool (and was terrified of a more clinical setting). As these things often seem to turn out, I was induced so had to deliver on the main delivery suite, no water. By the time I was in labour I absolutely did not care where I was, honestly I felt so focused I could have been anywhere! Even without the pool things still felt very positive.

I think having a plan (or preferences anyway) can actually be a really good thing, but deviation from the plan (for whatever reason) can still work out absolutely fine

@WrapTrap I think especially since this is my first I'll feel safest in hospital where I know that all the equipment/drugs/specialists are nearby if needed! Maybe for the next one haha

@ChalkDinosaur thanks :) that is helpful!

Obviously the most important thing to me is baby arriving safely, but it would be nice if I get to feel positively about it too haha! (I wrote "if I get to enjoy it" first then thought that might be a bit much!)

Didn't get a water birth but pools were available. Just make sure they know this is your preference. Hope it goes well.

I tried for a home birth with my first but ended up transferring in for prolonged second stage but went on to deliver without intervention. But i understand that not everyones comfortable with that risk. I also lived 5 mins from the hospital so that was a major factor in my planning.

Yes, both times.

Baby one in distress so needed monitoring continually and he was only happy with me in one position. I didn't really care about the water birth as I just wanted my baby to be okay- and he was!

Baby two- born at home very quickly! Waters broke in bed and 20 mins later, he was here!

I had planned for a water birth. Got to hospital, all good, just had to be monitored for a while during which time they ran the water and got it ready. Unfortunately dds heart rate kept dropping with every contraction and so I had to be constantly monitored (turned out she had the cord wrapped round her body). The wireless monitoring thing didn't work for me so no water birth but not due to anything in the hospitals end.

@JustAnotherUserinParadise It's possible - I'm one of the freaks who did enjoy it! Not literally every moment but the sense of achievement afterwards (and even during) was utterly unreal.

Yup. Never even got to dip my toe in.

That being said, I have 4 wonderful DC and their birth stories are genuinely not so important.

Stay flexible, and good luck!

There wasn't one available when I arrived but it did become available. I said no because I was already settled in a room and didn't want to move again. Keep an open mind. Good luck!

I wanted a water birth with my baby no. 3 but my waters broke while they were filling the pool so they wouldn’t let me in it. I wasn’t too bothered as I’d had none water births with my first two babies.

I wanted one, even went to the special water birth talk/tour at the hospital. What I actually got was an attempt at induction, followed by a few hours continuous monitoring (so no getting near water) then a crash section.

I believe pools were available, but DS's heart rate was all over the place.

@ChalkDinosaur I've heard people say that about the feeling afterwards! It must feel bloody amazing to have done it, however it goes in the end!

I got in the pool and my contractions stopped, then it was quite embarrassing being the only non dressed person in the room.
They started again once I was out, strange.

weirdly I am finding this reassuring - I know it might not be possible for other reasons, and if that happens then so be it, I was just worried about the pool not being available.

I wanted a water birth for my second DS but he was born within 6 minutes of arriving at the hospital! I agree with others to not get your heart too set on a plan.

I wanted a water birth so badly . Even before I was pregnant it was always how I imagined it. I gave birth in peak lockdown and was told on the day I went in to be induced that they weren't doing water births because of covid, I was devastated and actually cried. I believe this has changed now, but you should check with your trust. By the time it came to pushing I was exhausted and actually slept between contractions so there's no way I'd have been allowed to stay in the water anyway. As it happens I wasn't that fussed, once baby is here you won't care about how they got here, only that they're in your arms.

I would have liked one first time but it couldn't happen because I'd had pethidine for the pain. I did have water birth second time and it was fab, but that was a lot to do with it being second time and I knew more what to expect. Request it on birth plan but don't get stuck on it in case it doesn't happen.

I had one for part of my labour - I requested it the second I got on the MLU but it wasn't very busy that day either. I do know someone who was desperate for a water birth, waited ages for the pool to be filled, stripped off and realised she hated it the second she got in so doesn't always work out

Yep, wasn't allowed as my waters had already gone, and then got told both the pools were occupied anyway. My labour ended up being 60 hours long though, ending in emcs so I'm not sure the birthing pool would have really cut the mustard, probably would have just shriveled up like a prune. Keep an open mind op, and do not fixate over a hypothetical birth plan, the baby won't have read it anyway. Good luck.

I got it both times but didn’t do much for me, definitely doesn’t stop the pain. Being on dry land chugging the gas and air is where it’s at!

I would have loved one - I am happiest in the water. But however many hours it was into Labour and they offered me the pethidine, I would have taken anything to get the baby out (and it ended in EMCS). Ultimately the only birth plan you should stick to is "get the baby out safely"

It was available both times I gave birth but I wasn't able to use it the first (meconium in waters). I loved it with my second, I hope you're able to use it.

I remember this really worrying me too! In the end, DD arrived at 36 weeks so had to be monitored throughout. V long labour, and when they finally let me into the pool it was incredible. But monitor started glitching and they made me get out again. Very hard - loved being in the water.

Second time round there wasn't time to fill the pool and anyway I found i didn't at all feel like it. Wanted to be up and walking and hanging off the bed.

So agree with all PP who say of course you should plan but 1. you gotta do what you gotta do and 2. chances are you won't really know what you want til you are in the moment.

Congratulations and good luck.

Ask your midwife how often this happens. It's rare apparently. Not that many people want a water birth! And some who do get screened out for other reasons eg c section, epidural, induction, premature labour etc.

With both of mine I got in and got out again