Considering water birth

[ExcitingTimes2021]

Basically I’m almost 38 weeks and still haven’t decided on a birth plan. I think I’m going to request to try to give birth in the birth centre as opposed to the labour ward and if they have a pool available at the time to request it.
Due to covid we can’t go in for a tour of the birth centre but instead have been given a virtual tour in the form of a pre recorded video. The pools look like a big hot tub to me, not like the inflatable ones you see cor home births, and I’m worried about my knees hurting. I’m considering ordering a bath pillow just incase, but obviously I have already spent a lot of money getting ready for the birth so I’m worried it’s just not needed.
Has anyone had a water birth, what are your experiences and would you recommend a pillow or something to protect the old knees?
Thanks for any advise!!! X

I had a water birth with both kids, first at hospital, second at home. 100% recommend. I honestly can't remember my knees being sore in the hospital one at all. You obviously have a bit of buoyancy so it's not like your whole weight is on your knees. I think some sort of pillow would just be annoying and get in the way.

I had a water birth in hospital and really want to do it again for this next one. Knees didn't hurt at all because you're quite buoyant.

I wouldn't have needed a pillow as I either sat cross-legged in the middle of the pool or was on my knees, holding onto the edge for the most important part!

Hurting knees is definitely not going to be on your mind 😁

I had a water birth and my midwife put towels down for me to kneel on in the bath. I didn’t ask for it she just did it.

I know it’s really silly to be worrying about something so small as getting sore stiff knees. I’m a first timer and you just don’t know what to expect and I’m finding I’m fixating on what I know, like if you kneel on a hard surface for any length of time your knees hurt 😂😂😂. Iv got a midwife appointment on Wednesday so will probably have a chat with her. Plus you don’t know what’s going to happen on the big day so I might not even be able to have access to a pool. Thanks everyone x

I was in a pool for my second birth and don’t remember being on my knees at all! I did however purchase a swimming skirt to protect my modesty which kept floating to the surface every time they tried to monitor the baby which ended up being thrown out dramatically 🙈

Knees really won't bother you
But would definitely recommend pool - so easy to move and also relax between contractions.

I loved my water birth!! I highly recommend it.

Do they keep the water warm?

I was on my knees in the birthing pool for about 6 or 7 hours and they were sore throughout and incredibly bruised after- not ideal with a newborn. If I do it again I'll take a thick towel to put under them. We'll done thinking ahead! Highly recommend a water birth

@RosemaryRosemary yes lovely and warm!

@RosemaryRosemary
The water temperature is monitored hourly as it has to stay within a specific range.

I had a water birth and knelt for most of it. My knees got really stiff so in between contractions I would sometimes float on my side or sit on the step to give them a rest, which felt fab. My poor partner sat next to that pool for hours holding the gas and air for me on a tiny painful stool so your birth partner might also want to consider a cushion!

I had 2 water births. The pain relief was incredible. Both were fast labours so I was only in the water for a short time (45 mins first time, 30 mins second) but I knelt and held the side the whole time and knees were totally fine. Both experiences were amazing. Good luck!

Thanks everyone. I’ll have chat with the midwife tomorrow. Like I said I might not be lucky enough to have access to the pools if ladies are already in them but I just can’t stop worrying about little things! X

I never even considered pain in the knees but I imagine after a few hours it could be quite painful. My friend decided on a water birth but halfway through got out. She had pooed in the water and the mws made it worse trying scoop it out. She said pooing herself during labour was bad enough, sitting it poop soup was too much 😅

I LOVED my water birth. Highly recommend if you get the chance! I was on my knees for most of the time in there and didn't notice any pain (and I have dodgy knees!) but you can also move around and change position as often as you like. The midwives asked me to turn over at the end to give birth, I think the angle must have been better at the time 🤷‍♀️ the warmth and buoyancy of the water was really soothing, and afterwards when they had cleaned the pool out and I was stitched up I got to get back in and have my first bath with our baby 🥰🥰 unreal!!

I laboured in the pool both times, was only in the pool for an hour or so with DC1 but with DC2 I was in it for 4 hours and towards the end my knees were hurting and I found it difficult to get comfortable (well, as comfortable as you be while giving birth!). It was only at the end though, I think a pillow would have been pointless as I was moving around quite a bit. Would definitely recommend using the pool though, the relief from the water was amazing and I’m not usually a bath person.

My second child was water birth in a birth centre. She was back to back (apparently more painful position according to my midwife). The water was very helpful. My first child was also in the birth centre (gas and air) but I didn’t choose water birth as I was concerned about being semi naked. After having one baby I really didn’t care.

I found the water birth was great. I just sat there normally like you would in the bath tub or a jacuzzi. No one said anything about going on my knees. Did I do it wrong . DD popped out after a half hour.

I had a water birth with my third. It was totally unplanned (and I was previously squicked out by the idea of it). The midwife asked if I'd like to go in the pool while I was in labour, and while I was in there it felt so much better that nothing was getting me out again. It was a really good experience. I don't remember any discomfort in knees, I think I was so focused on labour that I wouldn't have noticed anything tbh. I was only in the water for maybe 10-20mins before baby arrived though.

I requested it with both of mine and really wanted a water birth. Both times it didn’t happen. First one, because he had a slight dip in heart rate and I had to be on a monitor. No big deal, all was fine, but just couldn’t go on the water with a monitor on. I realised I couldn’t be bothered moving anyway. With the second, again, I just couldn’t be bothered getting into it. So, on short, it’s nice to have ideas of what you want, just don’t get too fixed on it as anything can happen

I loved my water birth- think I was in the water for a good 4-6h. They keep water lovely and warm and I don't remember my knees hurting at all due to buoyancy. I gave birth kneeling upright/leaning forward on the edge. I'm a bigger lady too so if you're more of an average size I would say you wouldn't have any uncomfy knee issues. I hope there's a pool available for you when you go into labour :)