Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Your water birth experiences please

59 replies

Orissiah · 23/05/2008 19:21

Does anyone on MN have any tips on easing through labour and even birthing in a water bath? I am booked into a room with a water bath at my hospital and would love to know just how much it eases pain and reduces tearing and if there are any positions and movements I can use in the water.

Your experiences - good, bad, mixed - much appreciated.

O
39 weeks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Roskva · 23/05/2008 19:44

I thought I wanted a water birth. But when I got in the tub, I hated it: my MW insisted the water had to be heated to body temperature, and I just found it too hot to be comfortable, and felt like I was suffocating. I might have liked it if the water had been cooler - the weightless feeling of being in water is nice.

jingleyjen · 23/05/2008 20:01

I gave birth to both my boys in birthing pools, brilliant experience.
any questions just ask.

Flame · 23/05/2008 20:03

I had DD in water - was fabulous. Gutted I wasn't allowed in with DS and then it was too late

TheOldestCat · 23/05/2008 20:08

Wasn't at all interested in a water birth, but during my long labour, midwife suggested it - just for a change of scene.

Loved it! The water felt wonderful and I could ease myself into positions to help with the contractions. On my knees holding onto the side of the tub seemed to work the best.

I didn't actually give birth in it (had to get out when I was 10cm as contractions stopped), but it was fab and I thoroughly recommend you try it. You might hate it. or it might do it for you.

good luck.

pickie · 23/05/2008 20:12

had both DS and DD in our bath (at home) and would recommend it! Very good for pain relief and no stitches ( MW was suprised I didnt need any with DD as went from 3 to 10cm plus pushed her out under 15 minutes)

I find being in water very relaxing!

Original poster

Orissiah · 24/05/2008 21:27

Thank you all. At what stage in dilation do they let you in the water - I don't want to be told it's too late...

I've heard water can slow down labour - was this true for any of you?

Those who have had water births - did you tear?

OP posts:

Blocky · 24/05/2008 23:15

Lovely waterbirth - I don't know what stage I was at but my pains started at 12.45am - was in the tub at the hospital by 2am and my ds was born at 5am.

I found the water a bit warm to start - but this eased off once my body had got used to the temp. Was great being able to move into different positions and being supported by the water.

I did tear, but wasn't aware of it until I was back on the bed and the MW said I needed a few stitches! TBH the most painful part of the whole experience was having the LA for those.

spongebrainbigpants · 24/05/2008 23:52

Orissiah, haven't had a water birth cos I'm waiting for first baby to arrive, but I'm really hoping for one and have done a lot of research on it. Usually MW will want you to be about 5 cm dilated before you get in cos it can slow down labour, but different hospitals have different rules so check with yours.

As for being too late, you can get in almost to the last minute, but if the head can be seen in the birth canal it's too late cos then the baby's breating reflexes may have kicked in and he will gasp as he hits the water which could obviously be dangerous. Otherwise, if the baby is still tucked up inside it won't breath until he comes to the surface.

Hope this helps.

DKMA · 24/05/2008 23:59

Oh yes............ about a year ago (DS due on 20th June) I was thinking the same, had done all the research (has previously broken my pelvis and water birth was best option) got onto labour ward only to be told that they hadn't recieved the swabs back from the lab yet so no one could use the pool that night!!!!

I was very disappointed and anxious as I'd set my heart on it!

My advice you'd be - don't set your heart on it, be prepared for all eventualities. It would seem that very few people in my area get a water birth as the hospital policy for the use of it is very tight!

Flamesparro · 25/05/2008 17:23

5cm here which is why i didn't get to use it for DS - I go very fast from about 4cms onwards it seems, but where I didn't know DS would be the same as DD (if that makes sense), I didn't insist that I knew my body. I was then needing to push and it was too late to get it to the right temp

yummymumkte · 26/05/2008 16:58

I had an unplanned waterbirth with my 1st and it was so good I want to have another this time.

I used a tens machine until I got in pool and then just the pool. It hurt a lot but wasn't as bad I was expecting. DD was 9lb 6oz, I'm only little, and I pushed her out really quickly, in about 10-15 mins and as a result of that really had a tear but it didn't need stitching, midwives said if I hadn't been in the pool it would have been much worse.

Being able to move about so easily was great and it also means they don't examine you so much which is nice, it's the last thing you want when your lady bits already hurt so much!

Any questions just ask x

Original poster

Orissiah · 27/05/2008 13:09

Thanks for your experiences!

OP posts:

StarlightMcKenzie · 27/05/2008 13:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Cosette · 27/05/2008 13:21

would recommend it - definitely helped with the pain. DS was 10lb 40z and I didn't tear, although his shoulder did get stuck so I had to get out of the pool and walk across the room to deliver the rest of him!

Nappyzoneneedsanewname · 27/05/2008 13:27

Had dd (my first) on dry land and ds in water - fab - wish id had dd in water too. Did have a 3rd degree tear with my ds but they think it was where my old episiotomy scar was - i didnt feel it tearing that bad though . Iwould defo recommend it

no1putsbabyinthecorner · 27/05/2008 13:33

So is it possible to just use the bath then or do MW prefer you to hire a birthing pool?

StarlightMcKenzie · 27/05/2008 13:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ib · 27/05/2008 13:35

I had a waterbirth - no tear. Mw said not to get in until about 6 cm. I still found the water slowed things down so I kept going out to get the contractions going, then in for a rest - the water was marvellously relaxing and really helped with the pain.

LivingLaVidaLurker2 · 27/05/2008 13:37

I had ds at St. Thomas's in London. Was supposed to be 5cm dilated, but midwife let me in earlier. Got in water at 8.30pm and ds born (in the water) at 11.30pm, so definitely didn't slow things down. I loved it! No tearing, recovered really quickly afterwards (was pain-free the next day). So different from first time round and would absolutely recommend a water birth.

belgo · 27/05/2008 13:39

I had dd2 in the birthing pool. It did help with mobility, but I didn't find it reduced pain. The problem was that I found the most comfortable position in the pool to be in a reclined sitting position- but this wasn't good for the position of DD2 and she remained back to back. When the midwife realised this, she made me stand and walk around the pool.

I gave birth in the pool but was so exhausted afterwards I couldn't hold dd2 as I felt too unsupported in the pool.

So not really a good experience and I am undecided about how dc3 will be born.

StarlightMcKenzie · 27/05/2008 13:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

cazboldy · 27/05/2008 13:43

baby number 5 (now dd2) was born at home in our bath, while dh went downstairs to unlock the door to let the mw in!

no1putsbabyinthecorner · 27/05/2008 13:44

Thanks Strarlight I see what you mean.

I have a lots of questions about this too. If thats ok.

Was booked into hospital with hopes of pool being available with dd. But due to meconium couldnt get in.

Would very much like a home birth this time, but had no support last time from anyone anywhere.
Feel more confident to be persistant this time.
But.... dh has finally agreed, but thinks the pool hire will be in his words faffing about.
But still need to speak to mw about HB at next appoinment (28week)
Bad experience with tear last time, scared of that happening again. Would I have to go to hospital to be stitched or can MW do it at home?
Did any of you who tore first time tear again the second time?

belgo · 27/05/2008 13:45

I tore both times, but not badly. The midwife at home was able to stitch the tear.

ib · 27/05/2008 13:47

Starlight, don't know about research but having talked to a few women who had wb getting in too early does seem to make for a long labour.

Just out of interest, what makes you think you will need help with the pain early? I found the contractions perfectly manageable by walking around until I was about 6 cm. One of my sisters who got into the water very early with her first (and ended up being in there for 10 hours!) found that with her second she didn't even feel like she was in labour at all until she was well past 5 cm. She was only in the water for a very short while with that one!

Having said that, I know loads of women who weren't having wb at all but still got in the bath for the early contractions (one ended up almost having the baby in the car, so her labour obv didn't slow at all!)

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread