Water Birth?

[pacha]

I know its early but..I really want a water birth!!..does anyone have any experiences with water births? xx

 

[Sherlock]

I wanted to give birth in my pool but in the end got out for the big push. I did however labour in the pool for about 4 ish hours of my 11 hour labour. It was brilliant. Really helped take pressure off and while it does not stop the pain (nothing in a natural birth will do that) it really does relax you and supports your weight etc.

Next time I hope to deliver in the pool also

Check out your MW led unit over your consultant led one if you really would like a water birth as they have more pools. Often Consultant led units only have one and if its taken then you miss out. MW led units usually have more than one.

I had a homebirth but would say if you hope for a natural birth to look to a MW led unit

 

[Chopsie]

This is my first, so whilst I've no first hand experience, I know a couple of people who've had water births, or used a pool during labour, and they highly recommend it. My friend who had her last child at home in a birthing pool said it was incredible - she was the most relaxed person in the room apparently!

I'm also going to be (hopefully!) having my baby in a MW-led unit - the one near us look fabulous - the birthing rooms look very relaxing and each has a birthing pool. The main thing to consider with a MW unit is that if you want an epidural, MW's can't dispense this, so the only pain relief available will be gas and air or tens (although obviously you can't use tens if you're in a birthing pool!) so if you're undecided about pain relief, they might not be the best place for you. They're all close to or attached to main hospitals too in case of any complications though.

 

[pacha]

many thanks, sorry if this is a bit dim but whats a MW led unit or a consultant led unit?? are either of these at the hospital?

 

[Chopsie]

A MW led unit is run solely by midwives. They're aimed at people who want a natural birth in a more 'home-like' setting. Hospital maternity units are consultant led, so ultimately, it's a medical doctor that will take charge of your care. That's why you can't have an epidural at a MW led centre, as they're not qualified to administer them. Should you encounter problems at a MW led unit (sometimes called birth centres) they will transfer you to hospital for medical care if needed.

ETA - some birth centres are part of a hospital, some are separate self contained units close to hospitals.

This link gives you all the info about them -
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnan...ingyourbabysbirth/birthcentre/allaboutbirthc/

 

[pacha]

Aww Chopsie thanks so much, you have explained it so clearly xx

 

[krissie23]

I wanted to give birth in my pool but in the end got out for the big push. I did however labour in the pool for about 4 ish hours of my 11 hour labour. It was brilliant. Really helped take pressure off and while it does not stop the pain (nothing in a natural birth will do that) it really does relax you and supports your weight etc.

I laboured in the water for around two hours of my nine hour labour and also got out to push, but I agree with Sherlock, it was fantastic. As she said, it doesn't take the pain away but being in the warm water helped to relax me. I found that when I was in there, the water supported my weight and seemed to help my contractions 'flow' more easily and allowed me to concentrate on breathing through them.

I would definelty recommend it, it was a good experience and hopefully I'll have the chance to do it again this time round!

 

[Sugarhigh]

are either of these at the hospital?

theres a MW led unit in the princess royal hun

 

[gems]

I'm hoping for a water birth this time too. To give birth I have decided to give birth at the birthing unit at princess Alexandra hospital in harlow. Last time I gave birth in the actual hospital which I enjoyed and the staff were all great but this time I think I would prefer a more relaxed natural birth experience (last time I had suspected pre clampsia and had to be monitered couldn't move around and then ended up having an epidural and contractions kept stopping couldn't feel to push and ended up having a episiomoty and vontouse delivery) xxxx

 

[yummy-mummy]

A guy me & DH used to work with put photos of his wife's water birth on his blog - not what we were expecting to see when he said he'd put photos on his site!

I'd always been against a water birth thinking it was some new aged hippy thing. My thoughts were to have the same kind of birth people have had for years i.e. feet up in stirrups, lots of screaming etc etc. After my 12 week scan and doing some reading, I'm actually more inclined towards a water birth. It's meant to be more relaxing (if that's possible!) and the heat of the water plus the fact it takes some of your weight makes the birth a bit easier. Just nore that you can't have anything except air & gas for a water birth or so my pregnancy book tells me.

 

[pacha]

are either of these at the hospital?

theres a MW led unit in the princess royal hun

Aww thanks hun How did you know I was at the Princess Royal??..do you have mystic powers?? Ooooooh can you pick my lotto numbers this week

 

[LittleLambe]

Gems a friend of mine had her DD at the birthing unit at the PAH and said it was fantastic. She had to be induced but still managed to have a water birth. Which I thought was great. Have you been for a look around there?? I had my DD in Harlow, and I'm having this one there too. I haven't been to the birthing unit, but its supposed to be really nice.

 

[gems]

Gems a friend of mine had her DD at the birthing unit at the PAH and said it was fantastic. She had to be induced but still managed to have a water birth. Which I thought was great. Have you been for a look around there?? I had my DD in Harlow, and I'm having this one there too. I haven't been to the birthing unit, but its supposed to be really nice.

I haven't been to the birthing unit yet but I'm sure its gonna be really nice. I'm gonna arrage a visit nearer my due date. Are you gonna be in the hospital or birthing unit this time? I really liked PAH and the staff on the labour ward are great. xxxxxx

 

[LittleLambe]

Gems a friend of mine had her DD at the birthing unit at the PAH and said it was fantastic. She had to be induced but still managed to have a water birth. Which I thought was great. Have you been for a look around there?? I had my DD in Harlow, and I'm having this one there too. I haven't been to the birthing unit, but its supposed to be really nice.

I haven't been to the birthing unit yet but I'm sure its gonna be really nice. I'm gonna arrage a visit nearer my due date. Are you gonna be in the hospital or birthing unit this time? I really liked PAH and the staff on the labour ward are great. xxxxxx

I'm hope to go to the birthing unit, but I'm "High Risk", because I had Group B Strep when I had DD and I've also got a bowel disease, which I'm on medication for. But my consultant has said if my waters don't break first (apparently a sign of Group B Strep) then I should be OK, to go to the birthing unit and have a water birth I guess I'll just have to wait and see!! but I'm going to go and have a look round.