Are water births better?

[GirlMumxx]

Hi All,

I had forceps, episiotomy, 3rd degree tear and was induced on my first birth.

With my second i am thinking about having a water birth as i've read that it can 'soothe' down there and i am so scared of splitting my scar / last tear!

Are water births naturally easier and does your skin tend to stretch more?

Thanks.

I think it just depends on the person! I have one friend who has had 2 amazing water births, no issues at all and loved the experience with both, but I have 2 other friends who have had water births and had tears. I would have loved to manage a water birth with my daughter but due to issues in labour had to abandon that idea and needed forceps/episiotomy and tote etc (sounds almost exactly like your experience) so even if that is your plan it’s not guaranteed. Good luck x

I can't say much as I haven't spoken to many about it, but I had a water birth in October, did perineal massage in the run up to it and still had a second degree tear. It might have been worse if I hadn't been in water, but just wanted to say that water doesn't mean you won't tear! The pain was definitely more manageable in the pool though! I loved it.

I'm mainly having it for the pain to be honest!!🥲 So that's good if it's more manageable lol!

My Sil had a third degree tear in the pool!
It varies.

I had a ‘land birth’ with my first on the bed and had to have an episiotomy. Second was a water birth and it was lovely (well as lovely as birth can be!). Ended up with a small graze with a small stitch but nothing major. I’d try it if you can!

So you didn't split your episiotomy scar?

I had ventuouse, episiotomy and tearing with my first birth. 36 hours.

I had minimal, superficial tearing with my second in a different place to my original tear (which was fine, undamaged and unscathed). I also had no time, it was quick. No time for pain relief, not even paracetamol or gas and air, almost didn't make it to the hospital.

So if you do chose a water birth as a preference, be mindful that you might not have time. Second births are usually a lot quicker!

@GirlMumxx no not at all!

I had a water birth and hardly tore at all, I only needed one stitch and I wouldn’t have known pain-wise that I’d torn at all. I also felt it helped massively with the pain of contractions whilst in labour, it was very soothing being in the water.

1st birth - back to back
two days slow labour and second degree tear with over and hour of pushing and baby born star gazing
2nd birth - back to back
labour started and got to hospital and into pool
baby turned during labour and came out with two pushes (and just two hours from getting into pool to holding her)
no stitches or tears

would highly recommend
water was very soothing and I was able to move and I think that was helpful to get baby into a good position

I had a water birth with my first and not with my second, I tore with both (lost a lot of blood with the first two even though she was much smaller) was stitched up with both but healed fine with no issues

Water birth I think helped with the pain though

Water is great for pain relief, but can come with increase risks of tearing. Think about the wrinkly skin you get on our fingers after a long bath! Leads to a very friable perineum. Midwives also cannot do hands on technique to control baby’s head in the water. But equally women have perfect births in water. Luck of the draw!

If you’re worried about pain just have an early epidural (not as a last resort). I was relaxed and laughing with the midwife. Had a bubble bath straight after my dd was delivered and a 6 hour discharge and was home in my own bed that night.

I had a water birth but I was fully dilated when I arrived at the hospital so it was only for the pushing stage. Mild tear needed a couple of stitches. It was lovely. For me I needed to be upright, I tried a bath at home but it had to stand up with every contraction. The birthing pool was deeper so I could kneel and my torso be upright but also in the water. I had a quick birth 2-10cm in 2h and I think this meant it was a more positive experience. I was refreshed and not fatigued from a drawn out labour.

My sister has a water birth and had a bad tear which needed to be stitched up in surgery. Baby came out in a superman pose which may have contributed.

I had a water birth with my first baby. Really helped with the pain and I had a minor graze that didn't need stitches.

I had episiotomy and a 3rd degree tear with my first. The physio told me that it wouldn't make it more likely to tear in future. I had a small graze with my second and a very small tear with my 3rd. No water births for me though because I found the tens machine very helpful and can't use that in the pool.

Started in the water with my first but couldn't take to it. I didn't have a clue what was happening to me so was just ridiculously tense and was afraid of weeing in it (the least of anyone's worries) - got out and didn't get back in. Had no urge to push, so had to try a few things to get him out and did tear in the end.

I didn't try again with my second, but being more aware of what goes on and less frightened, I imagine it might be a bit nicer.

I had an episiotomy with my first and a mere graze with my second, which was a water birth x

There is Recent evidence that shows water does not increase your risk of tearing.

I do agree with your point that manual perineal protection may be beneficial in light of the previous 3rd degree tear, and that can’t be performed in the pool.

@Lj8893 interesting I’ll have to have a read of the recent evidence! Thanks for the heads up ☺️

Midwives tried to get me in the pool for my first (prolonged, I was in labour 37 hours) delivery. I practically bounced off the water, the feel of it on my skin was horrible and I couldn't stay in there!

Decided to try again on birth 2 as it was much more textbook, but exactly the same result. Basically a very short waste of a lot of warm water!

Third time I didn't bother!

Not everyone likes a water birth though it is set up as something everyone loves and you're ridiculous not to have one. But then, I don't even like a bath and have a massive walk in shower where my bathtub was once upon a time!!

I got in the pool at 9cm dilated in firmly established labour and my contractions stopped dead. I ended up on an oxytocin drip and with a classic cascade of interventions leading to an instrumental birth in theatre. I’ve since met a number of women who had similar experiences but never yet found a midwife who was willing to admit that it’s a fairly well-established phenomenon.