I would really appreciate as much feedback from anyone with experience of home and waterbirths because I'm so confused and just about to be at 38 weeks!
I have had my heart set on a home waterbirth and when I was told it would be possible, all of my fears about giving birth were lifted. I was stressed to no end about having to go to a hospital because it is like a factory here. It's huge, impersonal and partners get kicked out quickly. Also, we don't drive, have a carseat but no way of knowing whether it would fit in some random taxi, infection rates aren't great, bays have four women with four babies and are allowed four visitors each, the rooms are drabby and clinical, old looking... We weren't sure how to get to the hospital since we don't drive and taxi drivers are horrible to pregnant women, it's a teaching hospital and they are FAR too quick to intervene with sections, episiotomies and forceps... The list goes on and on. There is one pool for the hospital, which has over 100 births per day on average and only a couple of midwives authorised to oversee a waterbirth. So, basically no possibility of using that here (as told by the midwives working here).
I posted in third tri section why I most likely won't be having my waterbirth at home. I've written for a second opinion, but I'm sure that won't change. I'm desperate to go with my plan, but I'm not going to risk my life and home for it!
A midwife called from my team to speak to me about this. She's coming on Sunday to answer any questions I have, but it looks like my options are now either stay with homebirth without a pool, or go to the midwife led unit about 20 miles away and not have a homebirth, but have water. To be honest, I'm torn. Both home and water lifted my confidence so much I can't describe. I don't tolerate morphine or entonox at all. I've had very bad reactions to both in the past and can't risk that again. I want to be home because it's so personal and I can do anything I want. I won't have to worry about transport, either... But, I really want the water. My bath is not an option because it isn't nearly deep enough to cover me so would make little difference if any, and also my SPD makes it difficult to get in and out of now, never mind whilst in labour.
I want both SO much and feel like I can't compromise either way, but realise I will have to. I guess I just want to hear from people who have had one *or* the other and try to judge by their experiences.
Oh! This is a link to the unit I would be considering, but I can only get to the front page because for some reason the rest has been blacklisted by work! It's part of the NHS area we cover, too, so that doesn't make sense!
http://birthinangus.org.uk/index/arbroath
I have had my heart set on a home waterbirth and when I was told it would be possible, all of my fears about giving birth were lifted. I was stressed to no end about having to go to a hospital because it is like a factory here. It's huge, impersonal and partners get kicked out quickly. Also, we don't drive, have a carseat but no way of knowing whether it would fit in some random taxi, infection rates aren't great, bays have four women with four babies and are allowed four visitors each, the rooms are drabby and clinical, old looking... We weren't sure how to get to the hospital since we don't drive and taxi drivers are horrible to pregnant women, it's a teaching hospital and they are FAR too quick to intervene with sections, episiotomies and forceps... The list goes on and on. There is one pool for the hospital, which has over 100 births per day on average and only a couple of midwives authorised to oversee a waterbirth. So, basically no possibility of using that here (as told by the midwives working here).
I posted in third tri section why I most likely won't be having my waterbirth at home. I've written for a second opinion, but I'm sure that won't change. I'm desperate to go with my plan, but I'm not going to risk my life and home for it!
A midwife called from my team to speak to me about this. She's coming on Sunday to answer any questions I have, but it looks like my options are now either stay with homebirth without a pool, or go to the midwife led unit about 20 miles away and not have a homebirth, but have water. To be honest, I'm torn. Both home and water lifted my confidence so much I can't describe. I don't tolerate morphine or entonox at all. I've had very bad reactions to both in the past and can't risk that again. I want to be home because it's so personal and I can do anything I want. I won't have to worry about transport, either... But, I really want the water. My bath is not an option because it isn't nearly deep enough to cover me so would make little difference if any, and also my SPD makes it difficult to get in and out of now, never mind whilst in labour.
I want both SO much and feel like I can't compromise either way, but realise I will have to. I guess I just want to hear from people who have had one *or* the other and try to judge by their experiences.
Oh! This is a link to the unit I would be considering, but I can only get to the front page because for some reason the rest has been blacklisted by work! It's part of the NHS area we cover, too, so that doesn't make sense!
http://birthinangus.org.uk/index/arbroath
) in my own surroundings and could do what I wanted.
