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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Can I ask for your experiences with the birthing pool.

28 replies

Minniem2020 · 20/03/2022 20:57

Ds is due in 2 weeks time and I'm thinking more about giving the birthing pool a try. I didn't want it with my first 2 but now considering it.
So I'm wondering about other womens experiences with it. I know it will be different for everyone but I'm just interested in how others have found it/ if it helped.
Dsis for example was convinced her whole pregnancy that she was going to give birth in the pool then got out after about 2 minutes as she didn't like it

OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 20/03/2022 20:58

Loved it. However I was only in for about 10 minutes before DD made an appearance 😂

staycalmmama · 21/03/2022 14:17

Birthed dd in birthing oool in mlu and would not hesitate but it's not a guarantee it's available. Really hoping for another pool birth again with dc3. Eased contractions immensely and less chances of tearing I hear, which I didn't with dd. Good luck!

JodieFoster1 · 21/03/2022 14:24

Second child was born in birthing pool. She was back to back position (apparently this is a more painful position). It definitely helped with the pain, I was only in it for half an hour or so. I do remember it took quite a while to fill it. I tore with first baby (gas and air) but didn’t for second.

trevthecat · 21/03/2022 14:25

I had my youngest in the pool of our local mlu. It was perfect. My first 2 were heavily medicated and had interventions. But with the last it was so relaxed and really helped with the pain. He was born quick though so might have been different if it had been a long labour. He was in my arms 40 mins after parking at the hospital!

sausagesandchamp · 21/03/2022 14:26

I've had three babies in the birthing pool- it really helped me with pain relief, positioning and I so enjoyed picking my babies out of the water. It was a very special birth experience. And clean!!

Hairbear2 · 21/03/2022 14:28

I absolutely loved it, the water was warmer than I expected. Would definitely recommend it. Small amount of blood, the midwife took the plug out let that go down and pool was nice and clean again. My only gripe was that they didn’t run it early enough!

stimpyyouidiot · 21/03/2022 14:30

It was wonderful pain relief, I'll be using one again this time

Hugasauras · 21/03/2022 14:30

I loved it, it really took the edge off in the earlier stages. The minute I got in, the pain eased quite substantially. Unfortunately I couldn't stay in as baby ended up in distress and I needed a C section (obv unrelated to pool!), but I would def recommend.

TheBitchOfTheVicar · 21/03/2022 14:32

I didn’t like the temperature - felt too hot. But no one could come near me and I liked that!

RainbowZebraWarrior · 21/03/2022 14:34

I loved it. Had DD in MLU birthing pool 10 yes ago. No analgesic, back to back quite a fast birth. But it was all manageable and I felt like I was in control. Also liked the fact I couldn't be touched as such (As in I had my own private space so to speak)

Shortbreadselection · 21/03/2022 14:34

I didn't like being naked with everyone in the room looking at me - but I'm a bit shy!

FatFilledTrottyPuss · 21/03/2022 14:41

I bought a home birth pool and the feeling when I first got in was just blissful. Unfortunately DSs heart rate went up as mine went down so I had to get out after only a few minutes and ended up having him in hospital. Dd came 4 days early so I hadn’t got the pool prepared and I ended up having her in a hospital bed instead too.

JodieFoster1 · 21/03/2022 14:42

I wore a crop top, you don’t have to be completely naked if it bothers you.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 21/03/2022 14:43

@Shortbreadselection

I didn't like being naked with everyone in the room looking at me - but I'm a bit shy!
Uurgh, no I couldn't he naked either. I had a long black t shirt on in the pool.
trailrunner85 · 21/03/2022 14:45

Two water births here. Didn't help with pain relief one bit, but I like being in water generally, so I felt more comfortable there and less "exposed" than I would've been on a bed.

stimpyyouidiot · 21/03/2022 14:45

@Shortbreadselection

I didn't like being naked with everyone in the room looking at me - but I'm a bit shy!
I kept a vest top on :)
SirChenjins · 21/03/2022 14:46

Best thing ever - I don’t think I’d have liked labouring on the bed. I got out to push with all three of mine, but laboured in the pool until I was actually ready to push which helped massively with the pain and helped me to relax.

Flockameanie · 21/03/2022 14:47

Loved it.
Helped massively with pain relief. Able to move around and be supported by the water to give birth in a kneeling position (with arms resting on DH, who was outside pool).
Loved that it was ‘my space’

Traumdeuter · 21/03/2022 14:52

I loved it, refused to get out for an examination and had to be coaxed out - was 8cm dilated so it was a bit of an effort - and then had to be coaxed back in for the final bit. Glad I did it though, it was very comfortable and helped me to stay upright and be in a squatting position for birth.

I wore a bikini top.

Borgonzola · 21/03/2022 15:03

Watching this as I really want to give birth in the pool and my MLU has one in each room!

Anyone I talk to about it always says 'oh you'll plan for that but it won't actually happen, you'll be too overdue / wrong position / one won't be available etc Hmm not particularly helpful to hear!

I just think the warm water will be really soothing and help relieve pain, especially if we can also turn the lights down and play some music (MLU assumes that both options are available). It seems to make sense too what with gravity etc!

annlee3817 · 21/03/2022 15:07

Felt too warm for me and I got out about an hour into the pushing phase I think, I do get hot and bothered if in pain though

ChloeHel · 21/03/2022 15:14

I was so set on a water birth! Had the birthing pool all ready and filled up in the birthing suite. I lasted 10 minutes haha. I couldn’t get in a comfy position, it was too warm for me and I actually found my pain heightened in it! But SIL had a birthing pool and absolutely loved it! We are all different.

Sexnotgender · 21/03/2022 15:14

@JodieFoster1

Second child was born in birthing pool. She was back to back position (apparently this is a more painful position). It definitely helped with the pain, I was only in it for half an hour or so. I do remember it took quite a while to fill it. I tore with first baby (gas and air) but didn’t for second.
Yes it can take a while to fill, they recommend phoning ahead to let them know you want to use it.

When I was in both the midwife and HCA were lobbing buckets of water in to try and fill it faster😂

Letsbekindplease · 21/03/2022 21:37

I enjoyed it but the pain was too much and I couldn’t have anything other than gas and air. Had to get out after a few hours (I think?? It’s a blur). It turned out my little one was stuck anyway so I wouldn’t have been able to deliver him without help but I did enjoy it initially.
Someone else I knew had a fantastic experience. She had fairy lights and music on. I didn’t have that but might have been able to had I asked

PlumpAndDeliciousFatcat · 21/03/2022 21:43

I was so keen for a water birth but the pool stopped my contractions and I ended up on a syntocinon drip and having an instrumental birth in theatre.