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

Original poster

1st pregnancy - water birth stories please!

40 replies

Worrywort98 · 03/01/2025 19:10

Hi all,
I am 35 weeks, and currently considered to be having a low-risk pregnancy. Baby is healthy, measuring 57th centile, around 5.2lbs so far.

I would love to try having a water birth, with gas&air or morphine injection for pain relief. (my hospital can facilitate water births, so long as one is available to use at the time.)

I really don't want to have an epidural if I can help it. A c-section would only be in emergency scenario.

Does anyone have any positive stories or experience of having a natural water birth as a first time mum? TIA ❤️

OP posts:
Floralsofa · 03/01/2025 19:13

Wanted one but on the day couldn't have it as baby was distressed and had to be hurried up (although experience was still good) So just be prepared for that, also you can't have an epidural if having a water birth.

wehumans · 03/01/2025 19:31

I had a home water birth. It was as positive as birth can be. I didn’t have any gas and air, although it was offered, I didn’t feel like I needed it. I would really recommend a water birth if you can have one, I felt very calm, which I think really helped with pain management

Lillygolightly · 03/01/2025 19:38

I had a hospital birth centre water birth with my second born, it was amazing!! No pain relief other than gas and air as the water really does help. I gave birth in the pool and being the first person to touch and lift up baby onto my chest was just magical, and we stayed in the pool just having a cuddle for a little while after.

I have 5 children and my water birth has always been my favourite, it was my easiest birth and my with my biggest baby too. Very sadly couldn’t repeat for subsequent births as I had to have an induction for DC3 and then I had a planned section with my twins. I definitely would have done it again though if I could.

annlee3817 · 03/01/2025 20:01

I didn't like it, I felt really hot and bothered in the water and didn't make a difference to the pain, the only bonus was being able to float a bit between contractions. I ended up getting out during the pushing stage, hugged a bean bag on the floor and had a fan on me, I did feel calm outside of the water as well as in it, I feel that hypnobirthing breathing helped me there. I know I'm in the minority though regarding not liking the water.

Original poster
Worrywort98 · 03/01/2025 21:12

Floralsofa · 03/01/2025 19:13

Wanted one but on the day couldn't have it as baby was distressed and had to be hurried up (although experience was still good) So just be prepared for that, also you can't have an epidural if having a water birth.

Ok, good to keep in mind! Did you have an epidural or was it without medication?

OP posts:
Original poster
Worrywort98 · 03/01/2025 21:13

wehumans · 03/01/2025 19:31

I had a home water birth. It was as positive as birth can be. I didn’t have any gas and air, although it was offered, I didn’t feel like I needed it. I would really recommend a water birth if you can have one, I felt very calm, which I think really helped with pain management

Amazing!! That's exactly what I'm hoping for, best case scenario 😊 I'm aware that anything can happen though lol so I'm trying to keep a somewhat open mind

OP posts:
AlwaysTimeForWine · 03/01/2025 21:16

I had all three of my children by water birth in a birching centre, no other pain relief, other than a TENS machine.

Would highly recommend. Midwives so brilliant and supportive, didn't need other pain relief, it's really calm and quiet and suited me.

AlwaysTimeForWine · 03/01/2025 21:16

*birthing

Pinkstuffs · 03/01/2025 21:18

I really wanted one but had to have an induction so couldn’t. I really hope you get your birth OP but I wish I had thought a little about what I would have wanted if my plans changed. I was low risk until 38 weeks when it was discovered baby was small.

PickupperPenguin · 03/01/2025 21:23

Pinkstuffs · 03/01/2025 21:18

I really wanted one but had to have an induction so couldn’t. I really hope you get your birth OP but I wish I had thought a little about what I would have wanted if my plans changed. I was low risk until 38 weeks when it was discovered baby was small.

Seconding this. I think it’s sensible to frame it as having birth preferences rather than a birth plan. All 8 of us in my NCT class wanted a water birth with gas and air, and nobody had one (either because they changed their minds or because circumstances dictated otherwise). That said, we have 8 healthy and happy babies. Wishing you all the very best with your birth. I ended up having an ELCS because DS was breech and honestly that first day/night in hospital is the happiest and most special of my life, even though I didn’t get the water birth I’d thought of previously

MyNavyPombear · 03/01/2025 21:26

In my first pregnancy I expressed an interest in water birth, but I found that in reality unless you’re a second time mum you’re unlikely to be given the opportunity to use the water bath. There’s only 2 at my nearest hospital anyway. Also first births often take longer, so don’t get your hopes up. Sorry to be negative but you’re more likely to get a water birth with an uncomplicated subsequent low risk labour.

Pinkstuffs · 03/01/2025 21:38

I really wish my midwife hadn’t been so black and white with the birth plan and pointed out that it was really just preference and an ideal world. I had given no thought to alternatives to my water birth with just gas and air and was blindsided by the induction and subsequent section. Sorry to be negative OP but I wish the midwives were more realistic! There is a midwife led unit in my trust and barely any babies end up being born there.

Everleigh13 · 03/01/2025 21:40

I had a water birth for my first. I used a TENS machine before and then gas and air in the water. I liked the heat of the water and think it helped. I had to get out at the end for the final few pushes as baby wasn’t coming out and I needed extra help.

With my second I couldn’t have a water birth and so I used a TENS machine throughout and gas and air. That was still ok. I knew more of what to expect the second time so I think it was easier on me because of that.

justanotherlaura · 03/01/2025 21:43

I had the pool for my first birth. It felt amazing when I got in but unfortunately it slowed down my labour so I had to get out and gave birth on the bed. It was a little disappointing but I'm glad I got the chance!

I had a section for my second as he was breach but I'd have loved to have had the full birthing pool experience

leftorrightnow · 03/01/2025 21:43

I was in water for around 3 hours after I was fully dilated with my first child. Then they thought I was too shrunken like a raisin and told me to get out and I gave birth kind of kneeling on a mattress type thing. The water was great! I also had half a dose of morphine and some gas and air.

second one born after just having contractions at home and born 30 mins after we arrived at the hospital gates with no pain relief at all. Most stressful taxi ride if my life getting there! Swear I felt the baby’s head pretty much in the cab.

sleepfortheweek · 03/01/2025 21:44

I tried with DD1 but it made my contractions slow down. I'd already been in labour for about 36(?!) hours and my waters hadn't broke so I got out to have diamorphine and they broke my waters. I wasn't allowed back in the pool after that.

I had a water birth with DD2 and it was amazing. I had gas and air, and my waters didn't break so she was born en caul. I was the first person to lay hands on her, it was very special.

It will really be down to your labour and how you (and baby) are coping with it.

weegiemum · 03/01/2025 21:44

I was offered it with dd1 (long back labour).

I pretty much bounced off the water, it felt horrible on my skin and there was no way I was staying in there, it made me want to vomit.

Dd1 was born on land with ventouse due to her position and I'd never have been able to stay in the water that long.

Refused birthing pool with ds and dd2. Waste of wstwr!!

Nc54684 · 03/01/2025 21:46

I hope you get your water birth OP! I know a lot of mamas and only person out of 10+ who got the dream water birth. Rest of us had births that went off plan some quite significantly

Prodol · 03/01/2025 21:47

I’ve attempted this twice but only managed once! The first time, every time I got into the pool, it was like flicking a switch and my contractions stopped dead. Still had a very straight forward delivery with no pain relief.

Second baby I had a water birth at home. It was great and very chilled.

Rella357 · 03/01/2025 21:48

I found the water effective for pain relief but it really slowed down my labour so I didn't end up giving birth in the water. As soon as I got out of thr birthing pool I ended up dilatinf really quickly. Gas and air were effective pain relief for me.

MummyJ36 · 03/01/2025 21:51

Hi OP, not quite what you are looking for but just to add a positive story….

  • DC1 was a low risk pregnancy and I went to the full 42 weeks. I went into labour after a sweep and used my hypnobirthing techniques in early labour.
  • Once I was in active labour I got into the birth pool and it was so SO lovely. So relaxing and helped 100% with contractions. I used some gas and air too.
  • It turned out in the end DC1 was in an awkward position and needed to be a ventouse delivery but that time in the pool (and I spent a long time in there and got all the way to 8cm).
  • I got through a 24 hour labour on gas and air and the birth pool. I did not need an epidural and I can’t recommend using the birth pool enough.
  • (Just a side note that there is absolutely no shame in an epidural. I’ve had friends who have had one, both planned and unplanned, and only had good things to say. So I would say don’t worry too much if you end up needing one or deciding that you’d like one).
Whitewallwhiteceiling · 03/01/2025 21:59

I managed to have a water birth for my first and second labours (third baby was a C section)
It was over a decade ago now so not that fresh in my mind but obviously I felt it was useful as opted for it a second time! I had gas and air, no other pain relief. Labour 1 was definitely more painful than second time round for me, but I did like being in the water for them both and I think it helped.

peaches692 · 03/01/2025 22:09

Not a first time mum, but I had a vbac water birth with DC2 and it was just incredible - really lovely and calm and peaceful. Didn't need any pain relief other than a TENS machine before getting in the water, then went into the pool about 30 mins before pushing started and delivered baby in the water. Couldn't recommend a water birth more, and the recovery was a breeze compared to the ELCS with my first.

I'd really recommend reading something like the Positive Birthing Book / reading up on active birthing etc. I realise things don't always go to plan and went in with my eyes wide open (knowing I might not get the water birth I wanted) but I genuinely think it helped being as informed as possible, understanding what my options were and knowing what I could do to increase the chance of getting the birth I wanted.

museumum · 03/01/2025 22:16

My ds was born a couple of minutes out of the water pool at a midwife led unit attached to the hospital. I laboured at home with a tens machine till 8cm. Cannot recommend the tens enough. I arrived at the mlu and went into the pool for two hours. On the second last push a load of meconium came out in the hind waters so I got out for the last push which wasn’t really a push, more just him slithering out. I recovered very quickly after and felt great physically compared to the rest of my pregnancy friends.

julesagain · 03/01/2025 22:31

I had water births with both of my daughters. Both were in stand alone Midwife led units. I had used hypnobirthing cd and tens machine prior to arrival but the utter relief on entering the pool was amazing. Using gas and air didn't even enter my thoughts. I was practically dozing between contractions on the second stage with my second . Amazing experiences both times.