Thinking about the birthing pool

[AshleighMoore_]

So I've started to think about labour, I know right?

I am undecided if I would like to give birth in the pool? I love baths and they used to help me a lot with period cramps and sore backs etc, so I thought it would be good during labour rather than just lying on a bed. It would also be easier to try different positions and see which is comfiest, with the bed you just kind of lie on your side or back.

Has anyone used a birthing pool before? Can you still have gas & air? I am not too fussed about getting an epidural if I don't use the pool anyway so that's not something I am worried about, I'm more thinking of the heat of the water helping and also will the water soften my skin when giving birth that way the "stretching" might not be as sore and I wont tear?

All advice wanted

Thanks xox

 

[Potternutter]

Hey Hun yes you can still use gas and air in pool, but nothing stronger. Not sure what it's like where you are but at 34+ weeks if everything was low risk we were invited to an active birth workshop at our local hospital- we went last week and it was fab! They got me in an (empty) pool to practice good positions for each stage of labour. There was also a sling, a ball and a rocker- they took us through positions on each. If they do it in your area can't recommend it enough. Has really made me relax now!

 

[AshleighMoore_]

Thanks very much I've heard that they offer a maternity ward tour at the ante natal classes I will be going to so maybe if you are planning a water birth they may show you that part aswell, I hope so - it would be good to know what would happen rather than just jumping in a pool with a baby hanging out of me ha xox

 

[AngelLily]

I spoke to my midwife about the birthing pool as I was undecided on it too as I'd like to labour in the pool but birth on the bed. She said that's fine and I can get into the pool for pain relief and comfort but can get out to give birth on the bed. So, if possible that's what I'm going to do.

 

[purpleslurple]

You can have gas and air in the birthing pool - I loved my water birth! I got to scoop up my son and cuddle him before anyone else touched him. The pool made changing position really easy as the water takes your weight - I would definitely have another water birth.

 

[nic2013]

I had a water birth with my first and am planning one with number two - can highly recommend it! I didn't use any pain relief apart from the water, had no tears and have the feeling that it was a nice gentle way for my daughter to come into the world. .. Oh and I almost ended up birthing on land but just as the midwife was getting stuff ready my little one started to pop her head out - clearly she wanted to be born in water!
Also the pool gave me a really nice feeling of privacy - felt really safe and protected in there and the water helped me to feel not too exposed
All the best with your birth and the rest of your pregnancy

 

[AshleighMoore_]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations I really want to go for it, will speak to my midwife when doing my birthing plan, thanks again xox

 

[Iwant3]

I loved my water birth too! I managed my whole labour on 2 paracetamol, lol. Didn't have or want gas and air. With my son I had a 2nd degree tear and feared the same would happen, but as you say in the water everything is softened and more relaxed and I had a bigger baby 2nd time and no tears! I started having contractions at 1.30am stayed in bed until 5.30am, then had shower etc.....went to hospital for just after 9.30am and my waters broke during monitoring and I was 5cm - I got in the pool at about 11am, she was born 1.30pm

I would defo want to have another if I can, but worry about availability of pool - as there is only 1 room in the unit with one ....only way I can guarantee a water birth is available if circumstances allow is to hire a pool and have a home birth!

 

[Davina]

Ladies did you use a soft inflatable pool or the frame one with hard sides? I'm thinking of a home water birth (never to early to start planning!) and you can hire either sort....

 

[AmeliaM27]

Ladies did you use a soft inflatable pool or the frame one with hard sides? I'm thinking of a home water birth (never to early to start planning!) and you can hire either sort....

I've bought a la bassine pool as planning on having a home birth. The cost of rental was more than buying one! I got the pool and complete kit (hose, pump etc) for £130 including postage. The birth pool in a bag ones have a seat in the pool which would have been nice but it was a lot more expensive

 

[Davina]

Ladies did you use a soft inflatable pool or the frame one with hard sides? I'm thinking of a home water birth (never to early to start planning!) and you can hire either sort....

I've bought a la bassine pool as planning on having a home birth. The cost of rental was more than buying one! I got the pool and complete kit (hose, pump etc) for £130 including postage. The birth pool in a bag ones have a seat in the pool which would have been nice but it was a lot more expensive

Thanks Amelia. Do come back on and tell us how you found it. And share those gorgeous bubba pics too of course

 

[AmeliaM27]

Ladies did you use a soft inflatable pool or the frame one with hard sides? I'm thinking of a home water birth (never to early to start planning!) and you can hire either sort....

I've bought a la bassine pool as planning on having a home birth. The cost of rental was more than buying one! I got the pool and complete kit (hose, pump etc) for £130 including postage. The birth pool in a bag ones have a seat in the pool which would have been nice but it was a lot more expensive

Thanks Amelia. Do come back on and tell us how you found it. And share those gorgeous bubba pics too of course

Well finally had my little one 3 days ago and managed to have the homebirth in the pool as planned. The la bassine was brilliant. I was getting a lot of back pain between contractions and as soon as I got in the pool that was instantly relieved. It was my first baby and therefore likely to be the longest/most difficult labour I have and I managed the vast majority on paracetamol (to be honest I only took these at first as I had a cold and sore throat!). Towards the latter stages I went on to gas and air and it helped but really only to help me concentrate on breathing and take the edge off of the contractions. I then pushed with no pain relief, unfortunately my contractions were too spaced apart so I had to push without contractions to get him out (that hurt a bit!) and due to me having a stupidly tight pelvic floor the midwife did have to assist me quite a bit to help me stretch. But despite the difficult pushing stage I came away with no tears! Am pretty swollen but that's probably because of the prolonged pushing - but the soreness has already pretty much gone.

If you do decide to go down the home/water birth route good luck with it, I would highly recommend the experience and think it's amazing what our bodies can do without medical intervention if we believe in ourselves (obviously I'm talking about straight forward births, don't get me wrong if my baby was distressed and needed out I'd have been signing the C section form in a heartbeat!)

xx