Waterbirth?

Question

Im 39 weeks pregnant and desperate to get this little girl out. I was wondering if anyone out there has had a full waterbirth and what your experience was. i would really like one when the time comes, and would like feedback

lol no i have made the decision ages ago. My hospital does have a birthing pool but u cannot "book" it as such, its first come first served. For this reason I cannot totally focus on a waterbirth incase I get disapointed, but as my date gets nearer I like to hear positive things about them, as i really hope to deliver like this

BJ tech - fair enough, although i can't remember the last time i had medication at the dentist either!! I must have a high pain tolerance.

Answer 1

Hello,

Just wanted to give a huge thumbs up to the waterbirth thing!! I had a waterbirth with my son and it was a brilliant experiance, the water is a fantastic way of soothing you and the baby when s/he is first born, my little one didn't even cry when he came out (head out of the water obviously)

Obviously the only pain releif you can have is gas and air, but i hated that so had nothing! also baby comes out nice and clean.

I can't recommend waterbirth enough as it was so great for me... if i ever have anymore i am going for a waterbirth at home!!!

Just wanted to add that i found the water lovely and warm and in the leter stages of labour it did really help with the pain and also you don't have to lay a certain way, i moved all over to find the most comfortable position for me and the kept topping it up with warm water (you can't have it as hot as a really hot bath but then you can't do that when you are pregnant anyway as it raises your temp too much)

And also i any clumps of blood faeces etc are scooped out using a sieve thing so you aren't sitting in it all the while and amniotic fluid is clear so you don't know it's there!

Answer 2

I had a waterbirth with my first daughter and would highly recommend it! It was a lot more relaxing and helped reduce the labour pains. My second daughter, I had to have on a bed as there wasn't enough time to fill the birthing pool and it was a lot more painful.
Just to be prepared in case you do decide to go for one. take a t-shirt that you can wear in the pool, unless you would prefer not to wear anything of course. I was extremely cold when I came out having lost all that baby warmth and from the water, could not shake those shivers off, so take a nice dressing gown to put on after.
Good luck!!

Answer 3

I didn't do a water birth, but I wanted to let you know about having a natural labor. I may have been lucky, well I was because I was only in labor for 2 hour and under with all my children, but the pain isn't that bad. I would never get an epidural because I had the first baby naturally and a needle going into my back would have been a whole lot more painful. The other 2 were very easy. The last few contractions hurt but, what are you going to do, it's not all that bad. If you can't get a water birth, I would go without drugs. I didn't poo myself either. Pushing is the best feeling, and when they hook you up to the saline it makes your contractions less painful, also when your water breaks, I couldn't even feel the contractions after that point. Good luck... if I didn't have to carry babies for 9 months I wouldn't mind giving birth again and again.

Answer 4

I have had experience with no drugs and drugs for birth, but not water birth. My first was born without any drugs at all, not by choice, but because she arrived very quickly. Wow, the pain is something that I cannot even describe. However, since I had really wanted an epidural, I think I was really upset too. If I had wanted to give birth naturally and had prepared for it mentally, it might have been a bit better. That said, the pain was unbelievable. I have a pretty high threshold for pain, and wow, it was beyond... My hubby tells me that I was swearing at the Dr because of the pain. My recovery was also pretty rough, lots and lots of bleeding, and sitting on ice packs. Almost 7 months ago I had my 2nd baby using staydol (sp?) and getting an epidural. It was a wonderful experience, and basically I laughed my baby out. I only pushed 3 times and then I pulled her out. My recovery was terrific, a lot less blood and pain in general. Whatever decision you make, Good luck

Answer 5

Have you already arranged to have a waterbirth? Where are you delivering? Some hospitals won't allow it, others will. Some doctors and midwives won't do waterbirths, others will.

All the women I know who have done it have loved the experience - but all of them say they weren't prepared to be swimming in a tub full of water mixed with amniotic fluid and blood and feces. . . it's the unpleasant side of waterbirthing that people don't like to mention.

Answer 6

I havn't had a waterbirth myself but they say it IS best.
It is less stressful for the baby, and it mimics the surroundings it had while in the womb. Hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 7

this is my first pregnancy. i am going for a waterbirth because the amount of good feedback i have gotten was great.
it was a big relief on most of the women and plus i would like to go unmedicated. so waterbirth is my best bet..

good for you for looking into options other than medicine...

Answer 8

I have not had one. But I have seen them in my training.

Can you visit this week and ask questions at your birth center? Having a tour is wonderful. So you know your surroundings.

Also there are dvd's out. I would head out and get one. Or just rent on.
TLC has one on this morning on my cable station. It will be on in 30 minutes here. Hope you can catch it.

Answer 9

I never have. Although it seems like a great way to do it.

It is a little late for you to make this decision. Betten get this checkout soon.
you are near your due date.

God Bless

Answer 10

I started to have one before, but due to complications, I had to stop and go to a regular room. I hear it's more soothing, but as far as the pain, it's pretty much the same. The water really isn't that warm and you have to sit a certain way.