What we birth yes or no?

[FebruaryJuly]

With my first born, I desperately wanted a water birth but didn't end up being allowed to as I had to have my waters burst by the midwife, meaning I wasn't allowed to get in for 2 hours which was too late.

I am pregnant with second and wondering about a water birth again, I want to try it and be able to experience it.

I have thought about it more and worry that if for whatever reason I have to get out, I will be all wet and uncomfortable having to get dry whilst having contractions. Also, how warm is the water? I LOVE hot baths and don't think that a cool pool would help me at all.

I worry that I would get in and not like it at all, although I do want to try it.

What are your experiences?

I had two waterbirths and with the first i was in and out a couple of times, they wanted me to try and empty my bladder, when i got out the trainee midwife was lovely and dried me down. I was wearing a sports bra which was wet so she helped me take it off and put on a buttoned up night dress. Then when i went in a second time i was naked but really didn't care, just something to think about if that would make you feel uncomfortable.
I think they have to keep the water at a certain temperature as I remember them saying it was too hot and putting cold water in, I personally really liked it.
Second time around I could have had it slightly hotter but i was 10cm dilated when i arrived and DC2 was born within 45 minutes so I wasn't in long enough to think about it

Just realised that auto correct has made my post title not say water birth when it is supposed to! Hahaha

Thank you for your response @hannahbananananananana I definitely want to try it, I just don't want to regret it either, but I suppose it is easy enough to get out and dry off with some help if I don't like it. Xx

I spent a fair few hours in one. I had to get out to have a sweep, got back in for a time then had to get out, be put on a drip and have DS dragged out by ventouse -the best laid plans & all that

I love hot baths but I didn’t feel cold in the water & the room was warm. I dried quick enough though tbh after 32 hours I was beyond caring about being a bit damp. It is a bit disconcerting having your DH sitting at the side with a sieve though!

I demanded a bath even thought I was high risk and the midwives kindly ran me one. I got in in a vest top and lasted 5 mins before needing to push. I was soggy and naked and didn't give a damn there was much more pressing matters to deal with 🤣

I had a water birth with one of mine, water was warm and a good temperature for me- like you I like hot water for showers. I think if you do have to get out, if you are far on in your labour then getting dry won't matter too much. I think you get to a stage where you aren't really aware of much. However once I was in I would have struggled to get back out physically as my contractions were so fast and strong. I didn't go in until the very end of my labour though as they took so long to get it ready. Loved how the baby got a clean on the way to my arms!

Hi @FebruaryJuly
So with my first i was desperate for a water birth, i looooove baths and if I ever had any period cramps, pains or just felt like crap in general I always took a hot bath. When i found out i was pregnant the thought of a water birth really appealed to me. When I went into labour, luckily they had a private room with a birthing bath avaliable and i couldnt wait to get in. Infact i stripped down and got in in nothing but the bra i had on. I had a bikini top, big t-shirt packed but was desperate to get in so just stripped lol! When i got in the bath it was warm.. ish but nowhere near as warm as I would of liked. I asked the midwife to warm it up but she couldnt, it hadnt even crossed my mind it would be temp controlled for if baby is born into the water. So after 20 mins in the bath I got out. It was doing nothing for me. But no matter what if i where you and have the opportunity id try it. It works for so many people so it could work for you. Dont even worry about having to get dry. Go in in as little as possible and have partner waiting with a big bath towel to wrap round you as you make your way to the bed. He can finish patting you off and getting a top over your head as your lying down. I just got out went straight to the bed and lay in the wet bra I was in and nothing but a sheet round me. Ahhh the joys of labour and losing all dignity!

I loved mine and found the water nice and warm. I had a fast and smooth labour though and was in there less than an hour until baby was born!

I had a wonderful water birth. The water was hot and relaxing. I wore a bikini and when I knew I was getting close to needing to push I just slipped the bikini bottom off. The room was really nice and warm and there were plenty of towels on hand - I left the bath after the birth and delivered the placenta on the floor next to bath lying on a mat with towels on it. I didn't feel cold at all and I'm someone who is usually always cold!

I went in the pool for a bit and it was nice, the water was warm (not hot) and did help with the contractions.

It wasn't as relaxing as it could have been because I went in wanting an epidural but last minute had to give birth in the birthing centre instead, so wasn't in the right headspace iyswim.

When I got out they just wrapped a towel around me and I got on the bed. I wasn't in a position to be worrying about the cold anyway at that point lol.

I laboured in the pool for both my births but gave birth on dry land. I love a hot bath but found that I got so hot in labour that I actually wanted the pool cooler than recommended. They tried to top it up with hot when they thought the baby was coming and I protested. So I wouldn't worry too much about it not being hot enough.

I ended up getting out of the pool when I was about 7cm as I was feeling hot and a bit sick and then was transitional and didn’t want to get back in so she was born ‘on dry land’. Being wet was fine, labour rooms are kept pretty warm and there are always plenty of towels and sheets to hand.

If you love baths, you will love the pool! I wasn't able to have one the first time, but had one the second time and my gosh, it was the best and most helpful thing ever for the pain. I don't think I would have wanted to get out, but obviously would have done if I needed to. However I don't think that's a reason not to get in in the first place!

Also to add, I have scalding hot baths but as others have said you get hot in labour and naturally won't want it as hot as usual. It is still very warm though.

I attempted one in the hospital but it really didn't do anything for me so I got out. I like long luxurious baths so I was expecting the water to help me feel relaxed, but I was just in pain while sitting in water. It was just a bit meh. It wouldn't have worked out anyway as DS later got stuck. The water temperature must have been fine, I don't remember thinking about it. The wordt thing was DH attempting to help me dry off and inadvertently placing the gas and air out of reach while he did so. If I wasn't a bit preoccupied I might have chucked him in the pool for that!

Is it an option to start in a birthing pool at a hospital? You can always change your mind if it isn't for you

I started off in the water and got out half way through the pushing stage, I didn't worry about drying off, just whipped off my wet crop top thing and carried on, to be honest I was so hot and bothered from the water that I ended up naked with a fan on me, was bliss.

Had 2 lovely water births. The pool was the perfect temperature for me - the midwives can adjust it if need be - and it was amazing pain relief. First time I was in there for about 45 mins, second time I just got in as I started to push, so about 15 mins, but the relief was amazing. I also liked how enclosed I felt and how separate from the other people in the room. I don’t like other people touching me in labour and the pool was a lovely way of ensuring that happened (although I could lean on the side and DH could rub my back when I wanted him too). It also meant I could give birth while kneeling up which was a great position for me. I didn’t get out once I was in either time but wouldn’t have cared if I had.

PS both times I just stripped off and wore only my bra in there. I’m normally fairly shy but in labour just didn’t care!