Water birth?

[DW1978]

I know it's really early to be thinking about this but when I went for my mw booking in on Monday she mentioned that I could have a water birth if I wanted. Its never been an option before as there was no-one qualified to deliver babies in water over here so you could labour in the bath but not give birth.

So, is anyone thinking about/had a water birth? Any pros or cons?

It might not be an option for me anyway as I had quite a bit of blood loss after Lennons birth as my uterus didn't contract but they are going to check my notes and get back to me.

 

[Sarah13]

I want a water birth too if I get the option! My friend had one and only had gas and air she said it was a bit messy though and her hubby had the fishing net duties lol!

 

[lenny]

8 years ago when i delivered my daughter, i went for a water birth. i had no other pain relief at all. not even gas and air. i would thoroughly recommend the water as pain relief.
after the midwife lost control of the heart-monitoring, she had me come out of the water as a precaution.. just as i was ready to push. so the last part of my labour was out of the water.
i had to have major assistance getting out the pool though- it was like getting out of a bath, feeling really heavy- but about 100 times worse. like a beached whale!!
i went into the pool at 2pm and my daughter was born at 4.33pm, so a really speedy delivery too. (1st baby) i will defo be opting for a water birth if it is available to me again this time.
ps i dont think its ever too early to be thinking about labour! it comes around quickly enough!!
good luck xx

 

[DW1978]

I laboured in the water last time and it was nice (while the water was warm!). It was just so bloody long, this time I will be trying to stay at home a lot longer. I mostly used gas and air but the mws recommended me having diamorphine on Sat night just to get some sleep and then I ended up going down to theatre first thing Sun morning and having a spinal and forceps delivery as Lennon had gone back to back and I just couldn't push him out by myself.

 

[cherrybinky]

Im all up for the water birth option too. Ive said that from day 1 even before I was pg.

 

[ZMD]

I had a waterbirth 5 months ago and loved it! i got to the hospital at 10am was examined i was already 6cm got into the birthing pool at 11am and my little girl was born at 3.58pm! i only had gas and air for a little while, they kept topping the pool up with warm water so i didn't get cold. i stayed in the water for a while after then they cut the cord i got out and delivered the placenta on the bed, i'll defiantly opt for a water birth next time, highly recommend it! x

 

[cherrybinky]

ZMD, Im sold

 

[twilly]

I wanted one, but it's not the first time i've read about the need for a fishing net iykwim, so now i'm in two minds! I'm pretty scared about the whole thing tbh, I think I am abnormally squeamish about giving birth and always have been!
I love being in water and spend ages in the bath, so if I can, it would be the best option.

 

[PrincessPeanut]

I've always fancied a water birth and it seems to be an option here so I'm definitely going to try for one. I'm a water baby at heart, always have been so it comes naturally to me to want to be in that situation at such a special time! Keeping my fingers crossed!! xxx

 

[Froslass]

I got a tour of my maternity unit (They are always pretty quiet, only 75 babies delivered there last year as most women opted for the bigger hospital up the road..) and they have a massive big pool there I've said to my midwife already that this is what I want, but I can change my mind at any point x I'm really hoping everything goes smoothly! x

 

[Piglet's Mama]

I am deffo up for a water birth x

 

[pink_bow]

Waterbirth all the way for me, I had my 1st mw appointment this morning & she actively encouraged me to have one. I know how relaxing a warm bath is for soothing aching pains ect so I can imagine that it must help with the pain of contractions.

 

[Cantstop]

I really fancied one but my hospital don't do them

 

[PrincessPeanut]

I really fancied one but my hospital don't do them

That's pap! I would actually think about changing hospitals. I'm so set on having one!
xxx

 

[VickyB]

I hope I get an option for a water birth I fancy it too, I love the water, they have the facilities in my hospital so fingers crossed xx

 

[meggymum]

The place where I am likely to give birth has them and after seeing it basically looks like a jacuzzi I think I'll be trying it! xx