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Pregnancy

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

water births - west yorkshire?

19 replies

KayloHalo · 20/01/2010 10:53

I live in the Pontefract area and am wanting a water birth but am also under consultant care as my first baby was 5 weeks early. Second baby was full term but am still under c/c.

Really would like to try a water birth as I don't need monitoring whilst in labour - it's my pregnancy they want to monitor.

I know theres a pool at Pontefract Hospital - but am I allowed to give birth in it?

Also all things maternity are changing (apparently...) in Pontefract/Wakefield. So I may even end up giving birth at Pinderfields.

Any advice welcome....

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KayloHalo · 20/01/2010 14:03

no-one?

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boardbunny · 20/01/2010 14:13

Hi, also live in Pontefract, due 23rd Feb.

I would ideally like a water birth, I was told as long as you are OK when you come in and there's no reason for you not to go in the pool, it's yours as long as it's free. If there is another lady labouring in there when you arrive you have to hope she's quick

The new maternity unit is opening at Pinderfields but not sure when, I didn't pay much attention as I knew I would still be at Ponty, if you are due much later on this year it's possible you will give birth there. I would assume they would have a pool too.

There is also the midwife-led unit in Wakefield which has a pool, can't remember the location but it's not at the hospital, not sure if you could go there as well if it's only the pregnancy they are monitoring?

KayloHalo · 20/01/2010 14:32

I'm not sue until 31st July/1st August so right in the middle of the year.

I suggested me giving birth at the birth centre in Wakefield and my midwife said no, the only reason I'm under consultant care is because my first baby was 5 weeks early, second baby was full term - both very healthy weights and no delivery issues.

I'm hoping that I can concince my midwife that I'm ok to go to a midwife led unit (which Ponty is gonna be in the spring) if/when I get past 37/38 weeks.

The only reason I posted the question is because one of my friends from work told me she was only allowed to labour in the pool and had to get out when she was about to deliver - her babys head was already out!
This was apparently due to insurance issues.

Thank you so much for your reply!!

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KayloHalo · 20/01/2010 14:33

*convince

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givecarrotsachance · 20/01/2010 15:06

I'm in Wakefield and would be under Ponty, but I'm booked in for a homebirth. I'm borrowing a friend's birthing pool but otherwise I'd hire one. Could this be an option for you?

KayloHalo · 20/01/2010 15:08

I think if I mentioned homebirth to my husband his head would explode!!! I wouldn't personally mind that much - my own bed to curl up in, my own tv to watch, music to listen to.....

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Spirael · 21/01/2010 15:28

My DH had a similar reaction initially when I suggested a homebirth, Kaylo. He was all in a panic about what if something went wrong, what if there was blood everwhere and OMG the chaos and the pain and the burning, etc.

It took a little time, but after carefully pointing out all the positives of homebirths against all the negatives of hospital births (mostly from his POV - such as visiting hours and such) then he slowly came around. Also helps that I'm three miles from LGI and a street from the ambulance station.

Anyway, got distracted. My reason for posting was that from my research getting a pool at a hospital seems to be a bit like pot luck. Firstly, there has to be a pool available that someone isn't already in. You can't book, so you just have to hope no-one else goes into labour slightly ahead of you that wants the pool!

Secondly, even if the pool is available, there also seems to be a bit of a gamble over whether the staff are willing/able to allow you to use it. If the staff on duty are not trained or lots of labouring women arrive at once and things get busy, then by all accounts they'll just put their foot down and refuse to let you into the water.

Given that they wouldn't do me a nuchal scan at LGI because the staff there aren't trained to do them yet (despite having to bring in the check for every woman by April apparently), then I'm not holding my breath that many staff are trained for water birth. The ones that are, knowing my luck, will all be away on summer holiday when I'm giving birth!

So yeah... One of my major reasons for deciding on a homebirth was that I could check that both my local MWs are trained for and happy with a water birth ahead of time, and I can hire a pool just for me and have it set up all ready in my house.

Not sure if that helps you at all, but figured I'd throw my... Well, it's more than 2 pence. Maybe 50p? I type too much!

KayloHalo · 21/01/2010 15:51

Spirael That was a brilliant post - makes so much sense. I guess it would cause quite a few insurance issues if an untrained MW allowed you to give birth in the pool.

Congratulations on your homebirth Am very but my dh will not allow it! So t'will be a birth centre or hospital birth.

THANK YOU

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GoldenGreen · 21/01/2010 16:05

I had a water birth at the LGI with no problems about availability etc - it is true that not all staff are trained for it but if you mention that you want the pool when you ring to say you are coming in, then they do everything they can to make sure you get it.

They have three rooms with pools, and if someone is labouring in one of the rooms but isn't using the pool, they will move her out to make room for someone who does want to use it. Also my mw says that not many people actually go for the water option so she's not aware of many women being refused a pool.

Having said that, I think your plan to have a water birth at home so you can have certainty is a good one Spirael - and am thinking of doing the same with dc2 due in May. The main reason for thinking of a homebirth though is that the post-natal ward was so hideous & am not looking forward to experiencing that again!

craftynclothy · 21/01/2010 16:15

Don't know how easy it is for you to get to Bradford in an evening but there's a choices in childbirth evening on the 2nd tues of every month and they are really useful for knowing your rights and discussing lots of issues. Details here: www.aquabirthsathome.co.uk/choicesandchildbirth.php. It's not just for homebirthers.

Spirael · 21/01/2010 16:33

Glad it was useful, Kaylo! Regarding your DH, you could always point out that births tend to get quicker with subsequent children and you might not get time to get to the birth centre or hospital... How would he feel about delivering the LO?

Not wanting to go onto the ward afterwards was my other big reason for a homebirth, GoldenGreen. I want my own clean shower and my own cozy bed, with DH bringing me my favourite meal!

I was thinking of hiring a pool from AquaBirths, craftynclothy. I saw about the meetings on the website and was debating whether to go along. Do you know if they cost anything?

KayloHalo · 21/01/2010 17:16

Spirael Thats a good idea - thinking about where I can fit a water pool now? Not so idea in the living room I guess - on the cream carpet. White walls. Too cold in the kitchen, wouldnt the ceilings to not crack under the weight of all that water if I put it upstairs.

Thats it.

I need to move house.

GoldenGreen I'm a bit far from LGI but I should imagine it's much the same in any hospital.

CraftynClothy I'm a little far from Bradford but there are similar classes near me that discuss birthing options etc. Thinking about popping to those (if I can talk round my MW)

xxx

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Spirael · 21/01/2010 17:39

Kaylo, you're due in the middle of summer! I wouldn't think that the kitchen being a bit cold is a major issue, especially if you have a toasty warm bath to sit in.

Either that, or does the lounge need an excuse for redecorating?

KayloHalo · 22/01/2010 10:04

lol spirael - we only just redecorated the lounge. I might have forgotton the due in summer bit . Then again I don't fancy giving birth in the kitchen either, my house just isn;t big enough to accommodate a birth pool.

I would like to give birth in a MLU like a birth centre, but MW being difficult. I know she has to be but I just feel a bit because when I was pregnant 2nd time she asked me if I wanted a homebirth then - but yet now I'm not allowed? I don't get what changed.

I'm sure she'll come round.

just re-read my last post and I'm surprised you could even understand it. How many words did I miss out??? Ooops.

xx

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Phoenix · 22/01/2010 10:21

Do Dewsbury have a pool? I know a few people in wakey who have chosen Desbury over Ponte. Also Barnsley but last i knew there pool couldn't be used because it wasn't safe enough to get in but that was 4yr ago when i had ds1. I had an elcs there with ds2 6mth ago but not sure about the pool. Could also be an option for you if they have a better pool now.

KayloHalo · 22/01/2010 10:42

Pheonix What is Barnsley like? One of my friends had her baby there in Dec 09 and didn't rate it very highly at all, one of my colleagues had her baby there in March last year and said the same.

A few mixed reviews - I think I'd need to actually go see for myself to make my mind up. Would also need to figure out the way there cos even tho it's not that far (we live in Upton) Barnsley is a place we never go - I got lost there in April last year whilst going to a wedding at the town hall too many one-way systems

xx

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KayloHalo · 22/01/2010 10:43

*Dewsbury is miiiiiles away. reckon I'd give birth in the car on the way there messy stuff lol.

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Phoenix · 22/01/2010 12:43

TBH you would be better looking yourself because i've heard the same sort of stories about Ponte. I had no problems at all in Barnsley. I laboured for hours with ds1 and ended up with an emcs then had an elective with ds2 and i was looked after well both times. 1st time i had help with bf (although i gave up after a few days) and was showed how to bath ds1 etc. with ds2 i didn't get as much help because i'd done it all before iykwim and i recovered much quicker and could do more myself in the first few days.

I've lived in Barnsley about 8yr but am from Wakey and still spend most of our time in Wakey (work there, family there etc.) but i can just about find my way around Barnsley now . It's the same as anywhere once you know where you're going it's easy

KayloHalo · 22/01/2010 13:52

Thanks pheonix, you're absoloutely right - I've always been treated well in Ponty, but like you I've heard of people who hate(!) it. Will definitely need to consider my options, maybe closer to the time tho - I'm only 13 weeks so plenty of time to sort everything out.

p.s - I work in Wakey too!!

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