Homebirth - in the bath???

[Renaissancewoman]

Anyone done birth in the bath?

I can't work out if I am being unrealistic. Had last one at home in a pool but he got an infection. The pool was one of those where it is installed, water in and ready to go a few days before due date and has a heater so temperature remains constant. Not sure what caused DS's infection but maybe it was because water was standing for more than 24 hours- apparantly bacteria starts. Wouldn't use this again because of my experience last time. Then there's the option of blow up job that you erect when you need it. Problem for me is I have a history of fast deliveries. DD was 2 1/2 hrs. So may not be time to sort out the erection of pool and filling up. Plus I am concerned that I will be annoyed by water temperature dropping and faffing to add more hot water. So I thought bath might do job. I keep rolling about in it experimenting with positions and worry there might not be enough room for me to spread out IYSWIM. My midwife has had a look and has said it is possible and that they've had other ladies do it like that.

Any one done it?

Sorry but lol at you rolling about in the bath trying out positions

I don't htink I'd like it personally, but I've told DH that if I have fast labour this time and can't get to hosp, I'll do it in the bath to save mess!

havent done this no, yet I wouldn't have been able to open my legs in the bath. could barely get myslef out of it by 34 weeks!!!

I had homebirth with DS and was in the bath until about 10 mins before he was born having MW and DH pour warm water over my back - really helped. But when couldn't resist pushing any more had to be hauled out - literally ! - to lean on the wall. MWs said the bath was too shallow for a safe delivery. Couldn't be bothered faffing about with a pool and would probably arrive through the ceiling of downstairs neighbour with weight of water.

Last homebirth with DD2 never got the chance to get in the bath just breathed and got on all fours and there she was. (Abridged version!)

Not me, but a friend had her third at home in the bath. She said it was a fabulous experience, the best of all three deliveries (although obviously not just because of the bath). She is tall and her bath is normal-sized, so I guess it must be possible to position properly. I still don't know how though!

You need to be sure that the water can be deep enough for the baby to be delivered completely under the water.

Plus you're probably not going to get the same pain-relieving effect unless the water can cover your bump completely, and your movement is restricted in a bath (as you've discovered!)

It's not a complete no-no, but I wouldn't recommend it tbh. The whole point of a pool is the submerging/ease of movement issue, imo... but it's up to you in the end!

I spent a fair bit of time in the bath when in labour with DS, but delivered downstairs in the living room. Ours is a corner bath, so fairly wide, but tbh not that comfy for pain relief as it is just not deep enough.

This time round I'm still dithering about whether to get a pool, as last time I was more interested in pacing up and down.

Also, it may be that your DS's infection was nothing to do with the pool?

i gave birth in a la bassine on saurday morning. labour was 1ht 50 mins from waking up to end.

la bassine inflates in 5 mins and filled in about 30mi9ns with a good flowing tap.

i would not dream of labour in the bath. sounds like torture.

shamelees link to my unassisted birth story here

sorry about typos. nursing at keyboard.