water birth advice please

[Fiona]

Hi, I am planning a home waterbirth and just wondered if any of you have had water births and could give me some advice on the does and don'ts........................ and how they generally found the experiience

also, how many of you gave birth in the water and how did you find it...

I am so excited about this but thought as it is the unknown would be good to hear how others found it

thanks girls

Fiona

 

[Icecream]

I want to know about this too, because if I go into hospital I might have one. How is the experience? Does it actually help? How?

 

[melhoney]

Hi girls,

well, I did not have one, was about to!
When I got to the hospital, I was 6 cm dilated, and I asked to use a birthing pool as a pain killer, I did not want to use an epidural, and I have a very bad back, so I wanted the warm water to help!
This was the best decision I made! Once I was in there, I asked if I could deliver in the water, and I was allowed to as there was a specialised nurse on duty and she was free. So I started my labour in water, but my temperature raised a bit and baby's heartbeat went faster, so they wanted me out for a bit, to monitor it.
Once I was out, I just could not be bothered to move again any more, so in the end, I did not have my little girl in water!

The one thing I remember is that bump NEEDS TO REMAIN UNDER WATER at all times, for some reason, and if it doesn't, then, it's not safe anymore for little one to come out in water...am not quite sure why!

I'd say GO FOR IT, I'll defo do it agin this way for baby number 2, and esp. if you do it at home, then, it should be a great experience!
The only problem with doing it in hospital, is that you cannot plan it for sure: will the pool be available when you get there? will you be fit to deliver in water (not everyone is, depends on preganacy history, etc...)
willl a specialised nurse be available when you get there? etc...

The best advice I was given is "have your plan A written down, but make sure you have a plan B and a plan C"

Take care and best of luck
Mel xx

 

[Icecream]

I wanted bubbly at home, but don't think OH wants me too. I'll sound him out, but may end up going to hospital if bubbly arrives before I sort it out.

 

[Sassyminx]

i started a topic about this the other week, doesnt seem like many people have had one

 

[feenix]

?

 

[Sassyminx]

when we went to the birth pool night at the hospital, the midwife told me the water has to be over your bump or its not effective enough to ease the pain of the contractions, im hoping i dont need any more pain relief apart from gas and air too as last time round i had epidural

 

[snowbunny]

I started in the birthing pool and it was fantastic.

At my last visit to the midwife i was told my baby was in a lovely position to come out. How ever, some where between there and through labour my baby went back to back and got his head stuck. I then had to go in an ambulance to another hospital and had a forceps delivery with a spinal tap.

I was pushing for one and a half hours before four and a half hours of holding my baby in before going into theatre.

I don't know but i wonder if laying in the birthing pool half floating, half not was responsible for my baby getting stuck.

Still untill i got out the pool i was actually laughing through the contractions with just some gas and air.

An amazing experience!

Sarah X