Water births - questions!

[MrsTS]

Hello,

First time pregnancy and looking for some advice!

I'm 28+6 and currently am not making any plans for my labour...I've read enough to know you should play it by ear and just see how things go. Something I have been looking at is water births, or at least being in the pool for part of the labour. Can anyone answer some of the following for me??

When do you get into the pool?
Can you get out at any time? (not that they'd make you stay in there, haha)
Can you take gas and air while in the pool (or is it a health and safety hazard??)
Does the pool not get really manky with blood, mucus, poo (!!) etc?

The last point is one which really worries me. I like the idea of getting natural relief from the water but I hate it when I'm in the bath too long and it begins to feel really clatty...and the thought of blood and poo floating around in there would completely put me off. I'd just like to know the truth from those who've experienced it.

Thank you in advance!

 

[tinkerbell13]

I can't answer your questions as it's my first but I'd also be interested in people's thoughts / experiences as considering water birth, so will be watching thread closely. The one thing that freaks me out too MrsTS is blood and poo in water lol.

 

[BeckyBiscuit]

Can't give definite answers either as it is my first too but really want a water birth if possible. Pretty sure you can get in a different out whenever you feel like it and I know you can use gas and air in there. As for the last one-I would guess it does get a bit gross but would be interested to hear other's responses on it. Maybe by that point you won't care!! X

 

[Supersoapie]

I'm really hoping someone gives some answers on this too! I know it's sad but honestly, the bit about labour I worry about the most (except for obviously the serious ones re: baby's safety!) is pooping everywhere haha! It's what wakes me up at night! I can't decide whether pooping yourself in water and having someone cleaning it up fuss free (but risking OH seeing it!!!!) is better than pooping yourself in a bed and the ensuing horror of having to have it cleaned up!? xx

 

[MrsT2011]

I laboured for a bit in the pool but had some meniconium in my waters so didn't give birth in the pool.
You can get in the pool once your in established labour so after 4cm. Depends on what stage your at when you arrive at the hospital - I was 8cm then they had to run the pool so by then I was getting further along.
You can get out when you want as there's steps out - I had to wee a lot! Also they do need to check on baby's heart beat so you may need to get out for that but I just stood for mine.
If it does get yucky you probably won't care or notice as they're very discreet and have nets etc.
let's face it there's blood so yes the water will look horrible by the end! Hope that helps x

 

[MrsT2011]

Oh and yes I'm sure you can use gas and air as I was offered but didn't use it.

 

[Pin badge]

Hey, I can help a bit, I had a water birth in May this year

When do you get into the pool? Straight away, I was 8cm when I got to the hospital so they ran the bath quick! I believe you can labour in there once active labour starts (ie once you reach 4cm)

Can you get out at any time? I believe so but I stayed in til the end.

Can you take gas and air while in the pool (or is it a health and safety hazard??) I took gas and air, that was my only pain relief.

Does the pool not get really manky with blood, mucus, poo (!!) etc? The pool does get a wee bit messy but you probably won't notice! At one point I did turn round and catch the MW with a little fishing net...she was keeping the water clean...I have no idea what she was fishing for and don't want to know lol!

I loved my labour and found the water so relaxing and brilliant for pain relief, I'd love another water birth if I'm lucky enough to have another baby.
Feel free to ask anything else you might think of.xx

 

[Marcella46]

Hi girls... I had an amazing water birth...

Got to the hospital at 3cm, was on the natural birth unit, only lady on the ward.
Midwife asked what my plans where, I asked for the pool so she said ok we will get it full... Sent me off to walk out the contractions for half hour,.. I spent my whole labour in there, they kept topping up the pool with warm water and lavender, had gas and air from around 5cm do after a hour in the pool id say, changed positions a fue times in pool... Was fab for pain relief.

My advice to speed up labour is to keep active, I won't get in the pool so soon next time, instead I'll be walking, rocking, bouncing ect lol... And get in once contractions are thick and fast as pain relive from water will be more effective.

If you can have a water birth go for it!! And good luck! Xxx

 

[Marcella46]

My midwife used Doppler in the water... Water went Mank once dd was born.. She pooped on me lol! Also I had the biggest poo of my life before I got in the pool! It's very normal apparently as contractions push it all through! U won't give a toss what happens once ur in the thick of it n the midwifes have seen it ALL before lol xxx

 

[CamFi]

Our hospital (in Australia) only lets you use the pool once you're 5 cm as it can slow contractions if you get in before then.

 

[MrsTS]

Thanks for all the replies!

I'm getting the same overall vibe here that I might not care by the time it comes to the actual pushing part. And true about the midwives having seen it all before....but what about OHs - do they not completely freak out?? Mine goes crazy if I pee with the door open lol.

Marcella that's an amazing experience and good advice, thanks! I'm hoping I can walk around the place and be active too...I just think I'd be miserable lying on a bed in agony....

 

[Fospetil]

Your OH will have to get used to body fluids! You know your a parent when you have poo'd wee'd and sicked on all in the space of an hour lol!

I had a water birth. I couldn't get in until I was about 8cm as they were both taken! I was only using gas and air, was getting through the pain but once I got in the pool it was amazing! It's a lovely feeling of weightlessness whilst there is intense pressure in your nether regions! Also for pushing you can just change position into what's comfortable really quickly!

In my experience you really don't care what comes out of you at the point of pushing! It's a completely primal feeling of just getting your baby out of you! Luckily they dimmed the lights for me but I did see stuff floating about (I did bleed quite a lot but both me and OH agreed there was definitely some poo in there), however you honestly don't care!

I used gas and air in the pool but more to focus on breathing as I didn't feel like it did very much!

If you like the idea of a pool, go for it! You can get put whenever you want because you may find in labour that you hate water (it does strange things to you).

Good luck xxx

 

[Marcella46]

MrsTS your welcome... The men zone out I think... The arrival of a baby is all very real for us women nine months before the actual date, men however get 10cm of dialating to get there heads round it.. Don't wory about him, if he's doing the nappies he should get used to wee n poo fairly quick lol.

When are you due?

Xxxx

 

[MrsTS]

Thanks Fospetil. It sounds like if it suits the lady then it could be a great way to take pressure off and a bit of the pain away.

Marbella I'm due nov 19th so got a while to go yet!

I'm really curious to what the labour will be like to be honest. Guess I'll just have to wait and see!

 

[Marcella46]

It's an experience!!! I can say that much!

 

[Fospetil]

It definitely shows you what your body can do! Best advice I could give is read maggie Howell, I didn't use any of the hypno birthing but the start of the book was really helpful! Embrace it, it's happening one way or another! Remember your body was made for it! Trust your body, it will tell you everything you need to know!! X

 

[MissyAK]

It's been so helpful reading through your comments has been helpful, i am thinking of a water birth too

 

[Kymberley]

I want a water birth and from what Iv read it seems the way to go!! I'm am nervous about the midwife fishing whisky Im contracting hehe but don't think il care when I'm in the thick of it all!! I was worried about the water going cold but if they top it up that's great!

 

[BeckyBiscuit]

Well I got my water birth in the end and can highly recommend it. I was only in there for the pushing stage which was about an hour but it really helped soothed me after the intensity of my contractions just before I got in. Was pleasantly surprised by how little gunk wad in the water until the very end and as soon as baby was born and the cord was cut they drained the pool and got me out very quickly so I didn't really notice it anyway.

 

[hellogoodbye]

I had a water birth on Saturday and would highly recommend it as it meant I had a drug-free labour — without gas and air even! It was amazing