Having my baby in water?

Question

Im about 6 weeks pregnant now and Ive been watching "A Baby Story"...I think that having a baby in one of those birthing tubs is interesting. I dont know if its right for me, but I am certainly thinking about it. Any advice or personal experience?

Answer 1

The only thing about that is, it is completely natural. No meds at all. If you think you can withstand the pain, go for it! Dont let anyone sugarcoat it for you. I have 3 kids, and on the last one i wanted to try no meds when giving birth, needless to say I asked for the drugs!!! Good Luck, and Congrats!

Answer 2

I definitely recommend it if the hospital offers it. Here are some advantages of a waterbirth:
1. Immersion in warm water is an excellent form of pain relief. Some women feel the relief as soon as they lower themselves into the pool, for others it takes 10-15 minutes to get the full benefit
2. The depth of the water gives support and makes it easier to try different positions
3. The warm water is a natural aid to relaxation, releasing tension and anxieties, and leaving you free to go with the flow of the contractions
4. Water birth is often accompanied by dimmed lights and aromatherapy oils, which can also aid relaxation
5. With less anxiety, the body produces less of the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. This in turn allows more endorphins to be produced, which are the body’s own painkillers, and which also promote a feeling of wellbeing
6. You can still use entonox (gas and oxygen breathed in through a mask or mouthpiece) while you are in the pool, and some women turn to this during the intense contractions at the end of the first stage of labour
7. The atmosphere of a water birth is less rushed. The second stage of labour can take longer, which may be due to less pressure on the mother to push
8. Despite the lack of time pressure, some studies have shown that the first stage of a water birth labour is shorter than average
It is a low-tech way of conducting labour and leads to fewer interventions. However, the baby can still be monitored, using a pinard stethoscope or a hand-held Doppler with a waterproof cover.

I definitely recommend it.

Answer 3

When I was in labor with my second chil my water had not broke so I was able to stay in the bathtub for a lot of my labor. The bathtub and the warm water seemed to help me through the contractions a lot. By the time I requested any pain medication it was too late and she was born only 20 minutes later. If your water hasn't broke during labor and your doctor says it's ok it's a good choice to help you through the hard part but I don't know about having the baby in the water. I think myself it would be much harder to squat in the tub to push then the traditional pushing laying on your back. I would also fear that if the baby came out with the cord around the baby's neck or other health issues it may delay the doctor's being able to treat them. Just my personal opinion, every woman is different.

Answer 4

Do it! Do it!! Do it!!! After two hospital births, my third was born in water, and it was the most WONDERFUL experience of my life. The warm water and squatting positions were way better pain relief than the drugs I had for the second hospital birth.

I'm now 42 wks pregnant, waiting for this one to hurry up and start labor so that I can birth in water again.

Don't listen to anyone who says it would be harder in water than flat on your back. On your back is ONLY convenient for the DOCTOR!!!!! It shrinks your pelvic area, making it much harder for the baby to pass through, and much more painful for you. I am the voice of experience!!!

Giving birth on your back only became popular when one of the ancient English perverted kings arranged for women to birth that way, so he could watch from behind a curtain. It caught on and became mainstream, but it's NOT natural. It complicates the whole thing. I don't have time to find the link now, but if you do some simple research, I'm sure you could find the details of that story.

Choose waterbirth!!! You will NOT regret it!!!!!!! I promise!!!!!!

Answer 5

For my son, I stayed right in the hospital bed... I didn't want to be touched let alone be moved!! Then I became a little more daring....
I loved 'A Baby Story' they made it seem so doable...
16 Months later, I had my daughter in one of the Alternative Birthing Centers, which had a jaccuzzi, queen size bed, family room, etc... The jaccuzzi was so great for back labor! Just be ready to be touched!!! I couldn't get myself out of the thing without help!!! :)

Answer 6

If they offer it in a local hospital I'd go for it. I know that sitting in the bath helps my cramps, and contractions are similar to cramps, although 10x worse. I wouldn't do a home birth though. There are way too many things that can go wrong with both mom and baby and it's safer to have a baby in the hospital, just in case.

Answer 7

i'm pregnant with my first child so have no experience of it but i did consider this option, but i have heard that you are quite limited to the amount and types of pain relief you can get when you have a water birth, PLease do not quote me on this as i'm not 100% sure its true but i have heard this. so that is deffinatly soemthing worth thinking about, i have also heard it is a more relaxing birthing experience for both the mother and child to be born this way.

Answer 8

I don't know of anyone who's done it, but I agree with you... It's interesting. I HAVE heard, though, that it lessens the pain to a degree.

I, personally, would rather have the epidural. :)

Congrats, and good luck with your soon-to-be new addition.

Answer 9

Do It

Answer 10

wow, thats weird.