Serious Answers Only Please........Did you opt to have a water birth?

Question

I am considering having a water birth for my third child. Has anyone had one or do you know some one who did? I would like to hear what people did and didn't like about the experience. I have researched online, but I would rather hear personal experiences. I am aware that I can't have an epidural if I chose this method. Thank you to all who choose to share!

Answer 1

Water birth was a Godsend for me. You know the feeling of "Ahhh" when you get into a warm bathtub or hottub after a long exhausting day? (With kids I know it doesn't happen much!) Well, that "Ahhh" feeling was like heaven to me while giving birth. Things were getting very intense and the pressure was getting stronger and stronger as I was dilated to 6cm. When I climbed into the birthing tub it felt like gravity had lost the battle. Your body floats and so much pressure is instantly taken off your spine and abdomen. Remember the more relaxed you are, the faster your birth will progress. It's great. I also used a deep relaxation technique called hypnobirthing and the combination of the two made it so that I didn't need any pain medication at all. When I say deep relaxation technique, I mean deep. We got a video of our birth and I was so realxed and focused on my breathing exercises that I was floating like a limp rag in the water. The water birth also seems cleaner to me. Rather than sweaty and bloody after the birth, I felt fresh and clean. I remember when I got out the cool air of the room felt refreshing. As a person who has had nightmares about birth since childhood, I am happy that the technique I studied and the use of the warm tub helped give me a relaxed and positive birth experience. There are also some videos of water births and that might be helpful to you. Good luck and enjoy. Birth is the best high EVER!!! God set our bodies up so perfectly to carry and deliver a baby, and except for some exceptions, we just have to get out of our own way and witness the miracle.
:) Sarah Jane

P.S. - Be aware that many doctors and midwifes warn that getting into the birthing tub too early can slow things down. Some say wait till at least 5cm. At that point it actually speeds up the birth as your body is able to relax better and open up.

Answer 2

I will be ordering my tub tomorrow. I hummed about this one for my whole pregnancy. I talked to my midwife again about it and she said if I was thinking about it the whole time and the time comes and I don't have the pool, I will prob regret it. At least if it is there I have the option open to me. I am planning a homebirth after a c-section.
With my first I would have stayed in the water but they told me if I did not get out at that moment, my chance for an epidural would be gone (if only I knew then what I know now). How is this for irony - my epidural did not even work so I felt everything anyways.
I am just 37 weeks along with my third also, so I hope this babe hangs in there long enough for the pool to arrive.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Answer 3

I personally was high risk with all 3 of my children so i could not. I wanted to and did alot of research on it.
I also will be helping a mother do this in July. (Studying to be a Doula All ready do prenatal just studying to be post as well)
She is very excited. The hospital is across the street, so her fears are less.
She watched her cousin give water birth. And was happy with no meds. Her first was no meds also but in a normal borthing room.

All I can recommend is you see what the options are if something goes wrong. (Check there policies.)
And to watch a few DVDs of births.
Double check what insurance will pay and not pay.

Congrats hun.

Answer 4

i had two and let me tell you i wouldn't have it anyother way!
it truely is natures epidural...and in all the 100's of births my midwifes done none of the women who birthed in water required stitches after the baby was born big pluss! i highly recomend it...goodluck and remember if u don't like it u can always get out XD (doubt u will tho)

Answer 5

i am not going to have a water birth becasue i don't have the facilities or anything and i don't have the patience but i think it's cool. go for it if you can! hope you have a grea pregnancy

Answer 6

http://www.answers.com/topic/water-birth

That is a great site... I'm actually looking into this now..!!! How far are you?

And if you choose I wish you the best of luck with the little one :)

Answer 7

first you have to see if your doctor will let you have one because i wanted one then i asked my doctor and he refused he said alot of doctors wont do it anymore because their was alot of babies who died from it and he said most doctors these days will not do them otherwise i wanted one but when my Dr said alot of babies died from it i changed my mind right away so you should ask your doctor if he'll even do it but good luck and congrats

Answer 8

No I didn't sorry.

Ash