Water birth experiences anyone?

[chubbychipmonk]

Am nearly 36 weeks with DC2.

DS1 was straightforward delivery, no complications. Would like to try and have a water birth with this one if poss as found being in the bath very helpful last time.

Anyone had any experiences of waterbirhs??

[stargirl1701]

Yes. My dd was born in a pool in Sep. I used a Tens machine at home and was 8cm by the time I got to the MLU. I was scared to take the Tens off in case the pool didn't work.

It did. It was amazing. I felt really light in the water. I laboured for another 4 hours in the pool. DD was born under water. I was the first to hold her. My DH cut the cord.

It was hot so I needed DH to use a flannel in iced water on my neck. Apparently, I pooed I did tear but didn't feel it at all.

A really empowering experience!

[milkybrew]

I had a waterbirth with DC2, it was brilliant. Really nice experience and I would certainly recommend it! I found it very calming and although everyone had said that labour could slow once I got into the pool, mine actually sped up and was quite intense but over quickly!

[Aethelfleda]

I had a waterbirth with DC3 (in the midwifery suite). It was great, very relaxed and hands-off. Really worth a try: if you don't get on with it when you've had a go you can always get back "on land"! Oh, and you can still have gas and air with a pool birth Mmmmmm, gas and air

[KnittedCharacter]

I didnt find the pool at all soothing or relaxing
in fact i was very faint and threw up as it was too hot plus the contractions were just as strong in the water. very disappointed.

[MsPickle]

At home in a pool, back to back labour with no additional pain relief/intervention. I loved being in water, did most of my labour with ds at home in the bath but no time to fill the pool when I got to hospital with him. It worked really well for us, I had one small 1st degree tear. I caught dd and dh cut the cord. Being at home in water was ideal for me, I found it amazing and empowering.

[VinoEsmeralda]

Had both DC in the water ( own bath, no birthing pool) and loved the soothing warm water, relaxing

[Rowan1204]

I had a waterbirth for my ds almost 4 years ago, in a midwife led birth centre.
It was amazing. I was so relaxed and really focused on my breathing. Had some gas and air in the beginning but found it useless so in the end didnt have anything.
I was in the pool for 5 hours altogether and as stargirl said, i did find it very very warm (they have to keep toppping it up with very warm water for baby's temp) and my partner was also on cold flannel duty!
My boy weighed 8lbs and i didnt even have a scratch. I am convinced this is down to soaking in the water for so long. Go for it if you can, cant recommend it enough! I am high risk this time as having twins and sad i wont be allowed that experience again.

[Shaz2011]

I had water births with both of mine & if have any more I would do it again my first no pain relief what so ever with my second just gas & air its so much more relaxing

[Caitycat]

I loved my water birth, had no pain relief (I'm absolutely not the earth mother type though!) and the while experience was calm, took about three hours. Had a smell tear that I didn't notice and being stitched up was by far the worst part!

[PipsWife]

I had my little girl in the water at the MLU it was fantastic. No pain relief and in the water for about 3 hours. Would recommend.
Good luck x