Water birth experiences?

[Robyner]

Anyone had one? What was your whole experience of it and would you recommend it for pain relief and relaxation etc. what did you wear?I really want one, but I'm a bit of a mermaid and love the water. The only concern I have is monitoring baby. As you will see from my sig, part of me wants to be constantly monitored also. Really in two minds. Any advice, info, experiences would be gratefully recieved.

 

[babyslog]

Im going to be stalking this thread and im VERY VERY intrested in a water birth!
My friend has had 2 and my step sister had one and both have said it was amazing and very relaxing!

I just pray the pool is free when i go into labour and i dont have any complications to avoid getting in that water!!! xx

 

[Linny1989]

I wanted a water birth with my 1st couldnt in the end tho! but ive heard its really relaxing xx

 

[Msclaireypants]

I didn't have a water birth per say lol but got sent home from hospital contracting every 4 minutes as they said it was braxton hicks! I spent 2 and a half hours in a warm bath and Wow it was amazing!! Yes the pain was still quite sore but I was much calmer and ended up dilating very quickly!

 

[MrsT2011]

I got into a birthing pool at 8cms (only arrived at hospital then) and it was very relaxing to the point I fell asleep! I didn't give birth in the water as I had meconium in my waters so gave birth on dry land!
With monitoring the midwife just checked the heartbeat every time I got out to wee - which was a lot lol! They just have a. Handheld Doppler so it's easy.
I wore a little boob tube and nothing on my bottom half.

 

[giz]

I also arrived at hospital at 8cm, got in the pool and entered a state of relaxation so much that it took me 7 hours to get the final 2cm!

It was amazing and I can't recommend it enough.

I gave birth in the water too.

I did use gas and air, but hardly at all really the water was that good.

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baby giz born 6th Feb 2011
next one due 12th Aug 2013

 

[giz]

I was told to wee in the pool!!! But for some reason I didn't wee the whole time I was in labour and ended up with a catheter after birth :-S I don't know why but I just couldn't go!

----------------
baby giz born 6th Feb 2011
next one due 12th Aug 2013

 

[giz]

Oh and I wore nothing :$ I had brought vests/bikini/bras etc but at the end of the day I just didn't care at the time and didn't care just got in!!

----------------
baby giz born 6th Feb 2011
next one due 12th Aug 2013

 

[CARNAT22]

Gosh Giz I am surprised they left you so long!
I had to leave the birthing centre after 4 hours as I'd only progressed from 5 to 6 cm.. They said policy was that if you don't progress 'enough' they ship you off to labour ward. I ended up on the drip, having my waters broken - I progressed quickly enough after that LOL!!

Anyhoo, no-one that I have ever spoken to who has used the birthing pool has a bad word to say about it. That includes women that used it for pain relief and those who actually gave birth in it.

xxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Robyner]

Thanks for your replies. I was told in my last pregnancy that the pools are usually free at my hospital as they don't get used much. I'm surprised but hoping I will get the chance to use it. Sadly my girl passed away at 38 weeks ( we were kind of prepared for it). Soi had to be induced etc. this time I'm hoping for my dream labour and birth if I can get over the fear of not being constantly monitored. ( just scared of something else going wrong)

 

[KarenC]

Big hugs. I can't imagine how scared I would feel this time round - I'm sure you will be very brave. I tried for a water birth at home. Got in the pool and it was lovely, but the water slowed my contractions right down until I lost patience, got out and gave birth on dry land. I'd say give it a go - it might be perfect, but if it's not, you can just get out and do it elsewhere. Having the option is really great. Good luck xxx

 

[Jbeanie]

I had a pool birth and would highly recommend it! Didn't get in til about 8cm coz our labour ward was mega short staffed and I ad to wait for some more midwives to come on shift, but as soon as I got in the pool I felt so much more relaxed! It took the edge of the contractions too and I only used gas and air. They keep the water at your body temperature so it's lovely and warm and deep, very relaxing!

I had my little girl in the water too which was also fab! I did take a bikini top in my case to wear but by the time I got in the pool I really didn't care so was butt naked!

Once I'd delivered Jules, they let us stay in the water for a few minutes then they took her to be weighed etc and I got out then sat in a recliner chair and had skin to skin for about an hour before they took me back to delivery room to be stitched up etc.

It was only ever my intention to have one baby but if I were to ever do it again, I'd defo want a water birth again! Xx

 

[Iwant3]

i had a suprise one with my 2nd - I wasn't planning on it...but she was back to back and I found being mobile (walking about or on a ball etc) really painful. The mw said the pool is free and may help with the pain etc- shall I fill it up....so we went ahead! I got in at around 11am.....having been in labour since 1.30am that morning. I hadn't gone prepared, so had nothing to wear and was naked! lol. thinking back I could have kept my bra on!

It was lovely, I had no other pain relief at all......I just moved about to what was comfortable at the time and eventually with no intervention - wasn't even checked to see if dialated etc.....(was 5cm when I got in) mw just said do what my body wanted.....and eventuallly at 1pm my body started pushing on it's own I just breathed through all my contractions and didn't actually think about pushing - she just progressd down and at 1.30pm she swam to the surface and the mw caught her!

AMAZING! if I could plan for the pool to be free again next time I would defo use it if all wa s ok etc.

 

[Gemsy]

I am really keen to have a waterbirth. My sister had one, and she had a great experience - she laboured and gave birth in the pool. Her first baby, no pain relief and no stitches, she highly recommends! I liked the idea anyway, but this made my mind up!

 

[Simoneh00]

Thanks for your replies. I was told in my last pregnancy that the pools are usually free at my hospital as they don't get used much. I'm surprised but hoping I will get the chance to use it. Sadly my girl passed away at 38 weeks ( we were kind of prepared for it). Soi had to be induced etc. this time I'm hoping for my dream labour and birth if I can get over the fear of not being constantly monitored. ( just scared of something else going wrong)

Have you ever saw the pools in our hospital? They're awesome! And the pool rooms are huge too with loads of equipment and space xx

 

[Robyner]

I haven't seen them no, it was my dream last time but of course had to be induced etc so wasn't possible. I'm still scared of not being monitored constantly though. I wonder if they will let me see them sometime. I'm consultant led, so I hope that won't be an issue if I decide to.

 

[Simoneh00]

I haven't seen them no, it was my dream last time but of course had to be induced etc so wasn't possible. I'm still scared of not being monitored constantly though. I wonder if they will let me see them sometime. I'm consultant led, so I hope that won't be an issue if I decide to.

Its your birth. If that's what you want and would make you feel most comfortable then tell them xx

 

[Robyner]

True I think I'll talk it though when it's time to start my plan xxx

 

[Simoneh00]

True I think I'll talk it though when it's time to start my plan xxx

I so hope I just happen to have an appointment the day you're in labour lol xx

 

[Robyner]

Eeeeee! That would be amazing!