Pros and cons of a water birth? What’s your experience?

[ftmum94]

I’m swaying whether or not to opt for a water birth - keen to hear of some experiences and whether you’d recommend or if there were some negatives - thanks!!

I initially wasn’t inclined because I thought it sounded a bit gross. With my first there was no time. With my second I was in the pool for pain relief but intended to actually give birth on dry land. However DD2 had other plans, and came out in 5 pushes before I had time to think about getting out!

Turns out it was bloody brilliant and I didn’t give a shit about what I was floating in or that I was butt naked. Hoping I can do it again with DC3!

Go for it if one is available (I planned one but for several reasons it didn’t happen!) you can always get out if you don’t like it anyway.
If I have another I’d have one (hopefully).

I had a good experience, it really helps to relieve some of the pain. They kept the water at a nice temperature and quickly removed any floating poop..... I was on all fours, which I found comfortable.

I would definitely recommend it.

I had a great experience. Spent almost all of the labouring in the water but got out for delivery. i found it all very relaxing, didnt need a lot of pain relief i found the water really helped.

With DD1 it wasn’t available and for DD2 I was only allowed to labour in the pool but the pain relief was immense and it felt so much more private.

I loved mine,

It helped with the pain so so well. Of course giving birth hurts but the water is such I relief I can't even imagine seeing to do it on dry land

It was nice visually to be in the boring centre rather than a room with wires and my legs pried open

I can't think of any disadvantages really. Not enough time in there afterwards?

Mine was great. Just bear in mind labour doesn’t always go the way you want though so don’t set your heart on a certain kind of birth.

Fucking amazing. Loved it and never wanted to get out. Didn't need any other pain relief once I was in.

It can slow labour down if you get into it too early; that's the only real practical disadvantage.

I loved mine too, we ordered a birth in a box and had a home birth in the living room.

If you do do that though, make sure the hose connector fits your tap to be able to fill it

I wasn't keen, but I thought I'd leave it open. Didn't have much pain relief, and towards the end they were like, I'm gonna run you that bath... so I just got in, and it was great pain relief and, like others said, who cares about anything else at that stage?

Loved it. I stayed at home using a tens machine till 8cm dilated then four hours in the water at the MLU. No damage. Highly recommend it.

Had one with both babies. It helped immensely.

I only managed to get in 15 minutes before delivery with second and I’m so glad I did as it was becoming unbearable and that just took the edge off.

Would absolutely recommend.

Loved mine! I hadn’t planned to actually give birth in the pool but as soon as I got in the relief was incredible so there was no chance I was getting out. I was the first person to scoop my person out of the water and it was incredible.

My first was a waterbirth. Worked great for pain relief but I ended up with a third degree tear which had to be stitched under a spinal in theatre. The midwife I saw for my second said the water often makes skin very fragile and more likely to tear.

I had 2 and no cons at all for me. First one, I only managed to get in at pushing stage as pool wasn't available earlier. I can't remember the relief well enough but it was a smooth delivery.

Second time, I got in much earlier and I can't even begin to describe the relief when I got in-the warmth and weightlessness was amazing. No chance I was getting out before baby born!

To the pp who said women are more likely to tear - I've been told (and read) the opposite that women are less likely to tear in water. I had second degree both times and was stitched by midwives.

If pool is an option at the time, I would recommend to go for it!

I didn't enjoy, it didn't help with the pain, but was nice to float a bit between contractions with the water supporting my stomach, but it was too warm and got out part way through the pushing stage, happier on a mat on the floor hugging a giant beanbag with a fan on me. I'm in the minority though lol

Was anyone not able to have a water birth due to a pool not being available at the time? My MLU has two and I'm concerned this may be an issue. Reading these stories have made me sure I want one!