Considering a water birth - any experiences/advice?

conradmum

I had a hospital water birth. I think what others have said about being quite far on before you get in is good advice. I was more than 6cm when I got in and the pain relief was bliss! DH said my face said it all as soon as I got in the water. I also used gas and air (sparingly).
Another poster said she couldn't get purchase to push with her feet on the floor of the pool. The easiest way to give birth (in and out of water) is to kneel and lean forward, so that the midwife delivers the baby from behind. I'm tiny and have delivered an 8lb 10 and an 8lb 14oz baby this way. The semi-propped/lying position was invented by male doctors who wanted to see what was happening. Let's face it, if it was the best way to evacuate objects from your lower end toilets would be designed very differently!:rotfl:

bumpybecky

with dd3 my waters went before I was in established labour and I still had a home waterbirth. I guess it depends on how long they've been broken for?!

Lydia.42

Wow, thanks so much for all the replies.
I'm lucky in that my midwife has said that so long as my pregnancy goes well, she is happy to deliver at home. Thought i might have to argue for a home birth, especially as it is my first. Will confirm with them when i go back in 2 weeks time whether a water birth is a possibility.

Thanks for helping to reassure me about the whole home thing too. Lots of people have asked if i am sure, 'what happens if something goes wrong'........gee thanks for making me feel less nervous about the whole thing!!!!! :mad: The bonus is that my OH is a paramedic, so unless bump is very quickand arrives when he is at work, he should be with me to help put me at ease.

Midwife was really nice and said if i chickened out i could still go to hospital, and the only difference would be that they wouldn't get called out :rotfl:

So i am definitely going to keep my options open and say i want a home birth, and just keep my fingers crossed that everything carries on going well.

As many have said, you can never tell. Baby does what they like :rotfl:
Gonna keep my eye on e-bay for a pool, and see what i can find. Bless the person who invented e-bay. We've saved so much so far.

Again - Thanks so much everyone for the replies.

Bun

conradmum wrote:

I had a hospital water birth. I think what others have said about being quite far on before you get in is good advice. I was more than 6cm when I got in and the pain relief was bliss! DH said my face said it all as soon as I got in the water. I also used gas and air (sparingly).
Another poster said she couldn't get purchase to push with her feet on the floor of the pool. The easiest way to give birth (in and out of water) is to kneel and lean forward, so that the midwife delivers the baby from behind. I'm tiny and have delivered an 8lb 10 and an 8lb 14oz baby this way. The semi-propped/lying position was invented by male doctors who wanted to see what was happening. Let's face it, if it was the best way to evacuate objects from your lower end toilets would be designed very differently!:rotfl:

Sorry, I don't think I was very clear - I was trying to do this position, but think I found the water a little deep to do all fours without hanging onto the side, and it was very hard on the knees, so I was trying to squat. when I was on all fours on the floor I had a cushioned mat and didn't have this in the pool. All of my contractions were in my back and if you have this try to stay off your back if at all possible. I was on my back for the midwife to check my baby's position etc and it was excruciating! Definitly suggested by men!

Crispy_Ambulance

Bun wrote:

Sorry, I don't think I was very clear - I was trying to do this position, but think I found the water a little deep to do all fours without hanging onto the side, and it was very hard on the knees, so I was trying to squat. when I was on all fours on the floor I had a cushioned mat and didn't have this in the pool. All of my contractions were in my back and if you have this try to stay off your back if at all possible. I was on my back for the midwife to check my baby's position etc and it was excruciating! Definitly suggested by men!

yep, the fashion for women giving birth on their backs like stranded beetles came when one of the French Kings wanted to watch his mistress give birth.

upright, forward leaning and open positions are the best positions to labour and give birth in, as they allow the body to do its job most efficiently and are less painful than lying on your back with all the contractions happening on top of you.

NCT classes would be very useful for help with labour and birth and early parenting.

conradmum

Bun wrote:

Sorry, I don't think I was very clear - I was trying to do this position, but think I found the water a little deep to do all fours without hanging onto the side, and it was very hard on the knees, so I was trying to squat. when I was on all fours on the floor I had a cushioned mat and didn't have this in the pool. All of my contractions were in my back and if you have this try to stay off your back if at all possible. I was on my back for the midwife to check my baby's position etc and it was excruciating! Definitly suggested by men!

:rotfl:No, you couldn't do all fours in the pool, you'd drown! I meant kneeling forwards with your arms up on the side. I was only like that for a few minutes as I pushed the baby out, so I don't know what it's like on your knees for an extended length of time.
I completely agree about how painful it is to lie on your back. The midwife wanted me to 'recline' to have the monitor on my bump with ds3. They had a rule at the hospital that you have to be monitored for 20 minutes before going in the pool. The minute the contraction hit I was up out of that bed like a Jack-in-the-Box! Luckily I had a lovely midwife who held the monitor on me while I sat upright in a chair. I can't imagine the needless pain women have been put through with that little invention!

Bun

I did wonder. It was a bit sore but since then I have spent so much time on my knees scrubbing snot out of the carpet and squinting under the sofa for toys etc I might not notice it next time.
I didn't get to have bub in the water - got stuck and had to be assisted if you get my drift.

Mummy_Jo

Justie wrote:

Mummy Jo how did you learn the hypnosis?

I went to see a midwife who trained in Hypnotherapy in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. I only had a few sessions and that was enough. Here is a link to a web page all about her.

http://www.hypnoforum.com/awareness/field.htm

Hope this helps. If you have any more questions please ask

bumpybecky

I had all three of mine in the upright kneeling postion, so dd1 was on dry land! me hanging onto the back of the hospital bed dd2 & dd3 I was holding the edge of the pool

I picked up a tip from somewhere that you can put a cushion underneath the pool liner to kneel on when the pool is full. I used an old sofa cushion, so quite firm foam. It was between the pool wall and inner liner and was great for kneeling on

Glad to hear you've got a supportive midwife Lydia it's so much easier when you're confident that they'll support your chocies

rachnbri

For baby number 1 I laboured but didn't deliver in a pool and it was wonderful. Would have liked to deliver in there too but I was very young and didn't stand up for myself as much as I would now! The water was a real help and I felt really relaxed.
Baby number 2 was a planned home birth and I spent great chunks of time in the bath, but even when out of water I could come and go as I pleased and that was great. I felt so much more comfortable in my own home and was able to have my family coming and going as I wanted. If I was to have another baby I would definitely have it at home and if possible would hire or buy a birthing pool.