Anybody had a water birth?

I'm thinking about this for my next delivery. I'm only in my first trimester still, but I want to give birth naturally again, and I've been interested in water birthing. Seems really intimate and natural. Anybody done it - pros and cons?

Thanks

Janine, Risa (4 months), and the bub

If any of you are considering a home water birth this website is worth a peek

www.waterbabybirthingpoolhire. co.uk

x

I had a fantastic water birth at home

I am a mum-of-one with a beautiful baby girl who I delivered in a birthing pool in March.
I was nervous about how I would cope with the birth of my first child at home until I read about the benefits of water birth.
I had an amazing pain-free birth without the need for medical intervention or drugs. My labour was over quickly in just 3 hours and 33 minutes and my daughter was gently pushed out in the water calmly and slowly. I felt so relaxed and I needed no stitches.
She is such a happy, contented baby and I strongly believe this is because of her gentle and gradual birth.
Water birth really works and I love being able to share my enjoyable experience with all of you.

Thanks, girls! Looks like you've had mostly positive experiences, which makes me happy, but I'll check in with MW about it and talk to my husband first before we make any real decisions. I did it naturally in hospital last time, but I'd prefer to be in a more relaxing environment this time around, is all...

Happy pregnancy to you all!

Janine

Waterbirth.....

hi

I kinda had a waterbirth.......i had planned a homebirth using a pool which we set up in my dining room-however when my waters broke at 8cm there was meconium in them so to be transfered to hospital.

But up until that point i had been in the pool and found it very relaxing and calming which what i had wanted for my birth, we just had music playing and inbetween contractions i was chatting away to my mum and hubby and eating jelly beans!!

I would defo use it again, and hopefully the next time i will be able to stay at home as i didnt really like having all the monitors etc attached to me in hospital.

good luck with your pregnancy

Kate and Euan 3 monthsx

8wks ago today!

I had a water birth with my 1st baby 8wks ago today.

I having nothing to compare it with but I know that if I had not been in the pool I don't think I could have delivered with just gas and air and I did ask for pain relief but Calum had other ideas and was out within an hour of going in the pool. It is supposed to help things go quicker.

My labour was very intense and I didn't seem to have a break in between contractions so the pool experience was totally different to what I expected it to be. I was on all fours for my delivery to keep my belly in the water- and this did help... I could feel when the water was cooling down as I could feel the pain more (like when you go for a bath when you have your period). I am soo glad I gave birth in the pool now.

What I would say is give it a try- you can always come out if you don't like it, you could have it in your birth plan. If I have anymore I will defo be trying the pool again.

Good Luck!

Eileen and Calum 8wks today!

Mixed feelings

Hey, I used a birthing pool with my first - I was quite keen to do so, as it seemed so calming. On the day, my baby presented badly (back-to-back), however, so my contractions were super painful and labour and pushing stage were quite long. What helped most with the pain was pacing around, staying upright and generally not sitting or leaning back. I did spend a few hours in the pool, but I actually found it more painful to be in it during the contractions, as to get the benefit of it, you obviously have to be submerged.

The midwife also said that she thought perhaps it was contributing to my contractions being irregular, so I came out in the end and eventually gave birth on the floor

I wouldn't say that the birth pool wasn't useful - it was certainly really lovely to sink back into all that nice warm water between contractions, as I was exhausted - but I don't know that it was particularly helpful pain - maybe because my baby wasn't in the right position. Perhaps this time I'll just stand in the shower

Hope this helps x