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

Original poster

Water birth , epidural vs other options. Best way to give birth ?

35 replies

ChildOfTheMoon · 07/12/2023 20:27

Has anyone had a water birth ? Did you find it painful?
My worry is how do they assess any situation with baby if your submerged in water? Is the water warm? Can any pain relief be taken if so what

Other options like epidural. ? Do you have to give birth on back. Is there any risk of spinal issue

With all options how to go toilet afterwards. Do they insert a catheter with all births ?

Is tens effective?
Does gas and air relief pain ?

Tell me your birth experience and what it's like and what you recommend. I do have a lowish pain threshold . I can tolerate really bad period pain but I am concerned most about pain during pushing / tears or does it burn or sting when birthing.

Any help appreciated

OP posts:
DuploTrain · 07/12/2023 20:32

I’d recommend the positive birth book by Milli Hill. It was really useful in helping me understand what was going to be physically happening to me in the different stages of labour.

Plumful · 07/12/2023 20:33

I’d recommend the digital hypnobirthing course by positive birth company. They explain all aspects of birth and labour, pain relief, etc. knowledge is power!

Parker231 · 07/12/2023 20:35

I had an early epidural - had a good sleep and watched Wimbledon. Lovely experience.

SisterhoodNotCisterhood · 07/12/2023 20:38

I had two with gas and air (one on a bed and the other on a weird foam couch thing) but my absolute best birth was my last minute water birth. The pain was less than half of what I had with the others. I got in mid contraction and the pain level dropped immediately.

It's lovely and warm and took so much pain away. I'm kicking myself for not having all three in water.

wishuponastar1988 · 07/12/2023 20:41

I thought I wanted a water birth but when I got in there I hated it. I was too hot and I just couldn't stand the water being on me for some reason. I got out and labored stood up then on my knees on the bed.

I did labour at home til I was 6/7cm so by the time I got to hospital I was admitted and then my baby arrived within 4 hours. I thought I would really struggle with the pain and yes it's painful but overall it was ok. I had done a hypnobirthing course before and found it useful. I had gas & air which was fine x

DaftyInTheMiddle · 07/12/2023 20:41

I think the “right” option is whatever you want, so research them all, but also understand things might not go to plan so be flexible.

I personally didn’t want an induction or epidural but due to baby growth / kidney stones I had to have an induction, and the drip made me scream bloody murder for an epidural 😂 there are some risks, but I would have been exhausted come pushing time and not gotten baby out if I had have tried it without. I made the right choice for me at the time.

Friend had a home water birth and you could have checked each stage of it off in the perfect home water birth chart if there ever was one.

Good luck 💕

WandaWonder · 07/12/2023 20:44

I had gas and air and then an epidural, I had zero pain once I had the epidural and gave birth on my back then and that was it back to normal a few hours later

tealandteal · 07/12/2023 20:45

I started my first labour in the water. It wasn’t warm like a bath but I wasn’t cold. They use a mirror to check what is happening. I used a TENS machine before I got in the birthing pool and again when I got out. I had to get out of the pool so they could monitor for bleeding but that was visual monitoring, I could still move around. I had a second degree tear and some stitches and it was a lot of pressure for me rather than pain but pain relief was available if I had wanted it. With my second I just used the TENS machine. I found it highly effective. I had a catheter with my first (literally just in to empty the bladder and straight out) as I couldn’t wee.

misstiger78 · 07/12/2023 20:45

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

LittleBearPad · 07/12/2023 20:46

Spinal block was bliss compared to the hours before it. Initial stage of Epidural also good with the second one.

It’s quite possible you’ll wet yourself and I’m afraid I didn’t care.

Tbf I had two inductions.

Neveraga1n · 07/12/2023 20:46

wishuponastar1988 · 07/12/2023 20:41

I thought I wanted a water birth but when I got in there I hated it. I was too hot and I just couldn't stand the water being on me for some reason. I got out and labored stood up then on my knees on the bed.

I did labour at home til I was 6/7cm so by the time I got to hospital I was admitted and then my baby arrived within 4 hours. I thought I would really struggle with the pain and yes it's painful but overall it was ok. I had done a hypnobirthing course before and found it useful. I had gas & air which was fine x

This was me- my baby was born at home.

I am a total waterbaby, used to be a lifeguard, on swim team etc. I thought I would love a water birth.

You don't know till your in Labour what you will like. I also did hypnobirthing (my babies are now 19 and 17 years old)

WaltzingWaters · 07/12/2023 20:49

I wanted a water birth but had complications from the start due to waters breaking early and being unable to get in the pool at all - very long labour, epidural, emergency c section. Baby arrived safely and that’s all I’ve focused on. Have a preference but take it with a pinch of salt, knowing it could all change before it even gets started.
Good luck OP, wishing you all the best.

PocketPoL · 07/12/2023 20:50

I had nothing and it was fine! Hypnobirthing techniques worked really well for me the first time, the birthing pool helped but I came out for the birth. The second time things went really quickly. The pushing bit was the easiest and a relief. It wasn't part of the plan, but I was led on my back to give birth both times.

PrincessesRUs · 07/12/2023 20:56

I had two waterbirths, no other pain relief other than a bit of gas and air. It was a BRILLIANT experience- I'd highly highly recommend it

PrincessesRUs · 07/12/2023 20:58

I actually felt both times I have no idea how women give birth on dry land - it felt like it would be impossible to do it any other way than water. The water means you can move easily, it was relaxing and soothing, it felt safe and private. Honestly cant recommend it highly enough.

Chaiandtoast · 07/12/2023 21:09

Ooo sorry to hijack op but I’m super interested in this too. Can I ask, my trust keep saying they can’t promise a pool will be available, which I understand but have many people wanted one and been unable to have one because it wasn’t free? I’m just not sure I should set my hopes on it if it’s unrealistic.

and also with the water birth, by the end are you just in a pool of body fluids? worried about all the blood and potential poop!!😳 at least it can be wiped away on a bed…

Plumful · 07/12/2023 21:11

I had a fab water birth too. They have a net to scoop any poo out. I think you’d be unlucky not to get a pool but obviously no guarantees

Greybeardy · 07/12/2023 21:24

If you’ve not already found the labourpains website it’s worth a look. It’s managed by the obstetric anaesthetist association and has lots of objective info about different types of pain relief for labour. Lots of us use their info sheets as a starting point for the consent process for epidurals/different types of anaesthetics. HTH.

Tryingtoconceivenumber2 · 07/12/2023 21:37

I had 2 water births. Managed not to tear at all on the 2nd one. In the pool you can only have gas and air. They listened to babies heart beat every 15 mins and they use a mirror to see baby while you are in the water. I also used a tens machine both times.

I would recommend looking at the naked doula on Instagram x

mrsed1987 · 07/12/2023 21:46

I had a water labour (got out just before he came)

I didn't have any pain relief but did was 8cm by the time I went in to the hospital anyway so managed at home for the majority. I think was in active labour for a little over 3 hours.

It was amazing, as someone else said they used a mirror and doupler to check on baby. It was warm water, we had music on and mood lighting. I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

Due my second in April so hoping for the same!

OopsieeDaisy · 07/12/2023 21:47

Also had a water birth with gas & air and I’m hoping to do the same again next time. The water was warm, they have a thermometer floating around in there and keep topping up the warm water. As pp said, they keep checking baby’s heart rate and use a mirror to see what’s going on. If they’re concerned at any point, they would make you get out. Edit to add that for me, the pain was much less once in the water. I didn’t find gas and air massively helpful as pain relief but it helped me control my breathing through the contractions.

CreativCarly · 07/12/2023 21:51

Agree with others who have recommended positive birth book and positive birth hypnobirthing course. There's no right way to do it, do your research and know your rights.

toomanyleggings · 07/12/2023 21:55

my experiences weren’t good but a birth plan wouldn’t have done me any good in either instance. I think it’s probably a minority that get these lovely water births. First one I had a very rapid labour and barely got to hospital in time. No time for pain relief. Second one they induced me and I had a bad reaction to the hormones. Again no pain relief because it was too fast and hideous. I would get some pain relief if I had the choice. There really is no medals given out. Remember at the end of it you have to go and look after a very tiny baby that will need every ounce of your energy. If you’re exhausted and traumatised it will be harder.

Suchardchoccy · 07/12/2023 21:55

I agree with a pp, have a plan in place but don't expect it to go 100% right. You won't know how you feel or what you want until you're in labour.

I started in the pool with my first but I eventually had to get out because she was taking ages and I didn't feel comfortable in there anymore. You're allowed gas and air in the pool but anything like diamorphine or pethadine, you have to get out.

For my second I got straight in the pool and gave birth in the pool less than an hour later, the water helped a bit with the pain but the gas and air was distracting me from pushing so I gave it to my husband to take away from me 🤣 they used a mirror to see what was going on down there and I don't remember loads of blood/poo in the water, just the massive relief of the contractions ending and getting the baby out.

Good luck!!