Can you have a water birth if you are induced?

[cat811]

I'm due to be induced on Wed (10 days overdue) but have suddenly wondered if this will affect my chance of having a water birth? The sweeps I have had haven't worked as apparently they can;t even reach the neck of my womb - does this make water birth very unlikely?

My hospital does it at 10 days, so i have just been told I am being induced on wed!

In cambridge it was a no...

I've known people who've been induced who have a water birth. Obviously if you go down the epidural route it rules it out, but I have several friends who put that they wanted a water birth in their plan, and went on to have them, despite being induced.

I have a feeling that if there have been any interventions (which includes induction), then you are unlikely to be allowed a waterbirth as they need to monitor you more closely. I could be wrong, but I would ring the hospital tomorrow if I were you, so you can be clear in your own mind before you go.

in the hospital i am familiar with , it is a no no. but i am sure you could insist... unless you are having a drip or epidural to induce you.

how many birth pools are there?

you don;t have to be induced BTW, especially if your body is not ready.. you can ask for expectant management and a review at 42 weeks. is this your first baby?

It depends. My unit 'allows' women into the pool 6 hours after their last dose of prostin gel (obviously you have to be in active labour, too). Other hospitals will have different policies, though.

If you need augmentation with syntocinon, that changes things as a) you will be attached to a drip and b) most units will be very keen to monitor you with a CTG, so that pretty much excludes waterbirth.

However... you do not have to be induced just because you are 10 days past your due date! Your body is clearly not currently ready to labour so, as long as all is well otherwise, why force it? You can refuse IOL and tell them you want to be monitored until 42 weeks and reviewed then. You are then far more likely to end up with a normal birth - hopefully in water!