Water birth experiences?

[Simoneh00]

Eeeeee! That would be amazing!

Id just wear a beard and say yes Im the father ha ha xx

 

[Robyner]

Lol

 

[bewdleygirl]

I'm hoping for a water birth and being monitored was one of my concerns too. I'm currently doing NCT classes and they covered water births recently and explained that they still use the dopplers at regular intervals to check babies hb. If ever the feel they want closer monitoring, they'd just ask you to get out of the water.

I noticed on One Born Every Minute they use the dopplers in the water (must be waterproof!) every so often to check on things.

One of the extra advantages that appealed to me is that apparentley a midwife has to stay with you the whole time with a water birth whereas they tend to wander off when you're on dry land, lol!

I wasn't sure if I'd be allowed one as I'm consultant led but I asked my ob last week and she said she doesn't see why not as so far I haven't had any complications....so I'm really pleased I can try for one if it's free on the day.

I too have no idea what to wear so it'll be interesting to hear any suggestions? Are you thinking bikini top?

xx

 

[Robyner]

Yeah they monitor periodically but I'm just not sure yet whether I'm happy with that. I'm still struggling with a fear of not having my baby to take home after losing my girl ( she had gone before I was induced, it was nothing to do with the hospital ) so part of me feels like constant monitoring would be best, but it's not my dream birth experience, it's a tough decision but lots of time yet. I think a tankini top but wondered what others used, it seems some go in the buff!

 

[giz]

In my non complicated water birth last time they listened to the heartbeat every hour I'd say, maybe more often toward the end, might have been every 10 mins during pushing.

They do use a waterproof Doppler and I didn't have to move or anything. It was very unintrusive.

I was asked to get out once so they could check my progress as I was 8cm when I went in and 6 hours on they wanted to check everything was ok. Turned out I had an anterior lip whatever that means but they were happy for me to continue.

Lots of people go naked. At the end of the day you don't really care once your that far into labour I wouldn't wear anything I might want to wear again though. My water was quite red afterwards.

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

 

[bewdleygirl]

Yeah they monitor periodically but I'm just not sure yet whether I'm happy with that. I'm still struggling with a fear of not having my baby to take home after losing my girl ( she had gone before I was induced, it was nothing to do with the hospital ) so part of me feels like constant monitoring would be best, but it's not my dream birth experience, it's a tough decision but lots of time yet. I think a tankini top but wondered what others used, it seems some go in the buff!

Maybe talk to your consultant hun and see what they advise. I can understand you feeling nervous after everything you've been through....it's best to go for what you feel happiest with.

Im not that bothered about being in the buff but my boobies have become humongous during pregnancy so its more comfortable to have something supporting them, so think I'll opt for something on my top half...a tanking sounds a good idea!

xx

 

[KarenC]

I wore a soft sleeping/nursing bra for being in the water and just whipped it off to BF once T was born. My midwives didn't have a doppler they could use underwater, so just asked me to kneel up a bit so that my bump was out of the water to monitor her after every set of contractions, or maybe not every set... can't remember!!! x

 

[umbongo]

This is a fab thread, thanks ladies. I am wanting a home water birth ideally. My only reticence is that I hate my hands going wrinkly !! It sounds wonderful though. Definitely a first choice for me so far! We live a stone's throw from the hospital so I'm quite keen to try a home birth.
x

 

[Robyner]

Sounds lovely umbongo, it would be nice to be at home straight after you have given birth. Hope you get what you want. Well, I spent the afternoon yesterday with my friend who is a mw at my hospital. She confirmed that the pools aren't used that often so it's very likely I will be able to use one. I've decided I will give it a go, as nothing is set in stone and I can get out and try some thing else anytime I want to. Even if I just start off in there it will be nice for me as I love being in the water.

 

[Robyner]

Now to decide what I'm going to wear

 

[julesb64]

Hi,

I had a water birth - I think I just wore a tshirt with a bra underneath, happened so quick I didnt have time to change! Although the lights were turned down low and I remember there was a disco ball on the ceiling ?!?!?
The midwife monitored me throughout. Fantastic experience and I hope I can have another one in July. Very relaxing, soothing and highly recommended

Jules x

 

[Iwant3]

This is a fab thread, thanks ladies. I am wanting a home water birth ideally. My only reticence is that I hate my hands going wrinkly !! It sounds wonderful though. Definitely a first choice for me so far! We live a stone's throw from the hospital so I'm quite keen to try a home birth.
x

can't say I noticed my fingers going wrinkly!

 

[KarenC]

This is a fab thread, thanks ladies. I am wanting a home water birth ideally. My only reticence is that I hate my hands going wrinkly !! It sounds wonderful though. Definitely a first choice for me so far! We live a stone's throw from the hospital so I'm quite keen to try a home birth.
x

can't say I noticed my fingers going wrinkly!

Yeah, TBH, you'll probably have your hands out of the water for a lot of the time anyway, hanging onto the edge of the pool, or your partner's hands etc. And if they do go wrinkly, chances are you won't give a flying f*** by then anyway xx

 

[talulahgosh]

Robyner, I just had an amazing water birth three weeks ago. My hospital use wireless, waterproof ctg and i wore that the entire time I was in the water. Might be worth asking if your hospital has similar?

I wore a vest top, but after a few hours had taken it off and was naked.

The pool room was beuaitufl, dimmed lighting, we were able to burn essential oils, played music and generally had a lovely time.my widwife poured warm water down my back the entire time, it was so soothing. I got in the pool at 5cms, got out a few times to walk around and everytime I got back in I felt calmed amd relaxed. The water definitely took the edge off the contractions, I did tear a tiny bit but that was because he came out with his hand by his face. I won't even consider not trying for a water birth next time. I was in labour from 2pmand he was born at just before midday the following day, didn't use any pain relief the water was enough.

Good luck, I hope you have the birth you want.

 

[Robyner]

Wow that sounds like an amazing experience! Thanks so much for sharing in detail, much appreciated.

 

[Louise80]

I had a water birth yesterday and it was fabulous. The pain in my back before getting in the pool was horrendous but the relief in the water is amazing. I got my little man out with no pain relief and truly believe that was mainly down to the water birth. Highly recommend it xxx

 

[KarenC]

I had a water birth yesterday and it was fabulous. The pain in my back before getting in the pool was horrendous but the relief in the water is amazing. I got my little man out with no pain relief and truly believe that was mainly down to the water birth. Highly recommend it xxx

Wonderful! Congratulations! xxx

 

[Robyner]

Congratulations! I read on a thread somewhere recently that it can depend on your bmi as to whether they will let you have one mine is quite high, though a size 14 usually. I hope I still can!

 

[jillybear1587]

I had a water birth yesterday and it was fabulous. The pain in my back before getting in the pool was horrendous but the relief in the water is amazing. I got my little man out with no pain relief and truly believe that was mainly down to the water birth. Highly recommend it xxx

Agreed.. i had one on 18th march.. best experience x

 

[Robyner]

At my clinic appointment next week, I hope to discuss it. I've 95 percent decided its what I want to do