But I want a waterbirth!!! *stamps foot*

[Jas]

Oh so currently available in all birth suites as long as there is a water birth trained midwife on shift at the time, however, looks like it might not be available to women havign a vbac telemetry ctg is available, which is the water proof and wireless ctg if you are going to have/agree to/choose to have continuous monitoring. I couldnt recommend having a student midwife any more strongly. I am a student mid myself and have twins a year ago...huge fight to have a completely intervention free completely natural birth and having another student follow me through was amazing, great to get some continuity of care and have someone doing a lot of your care who has been there the whole way and will support every decision you make. Just pm me if you are interested and i can get you in contact with students there

[forshelby]

I can't go to GCH again. Not now that the new hospital has been delayed.... I can't go back into that building. Not to have another baby anyway.

[Bloom]

I wasn't and am not able to have a waterbirth at my local hosptial because of my size, which is fair enough as I understand they have the safety of the MWs and me to consider. (Mind you even if I was under the weight limit no way was my 50kg tiny MW going to have a chance of moving me at the weight limit). But put your mind to how you can still use water in your birth:
Bath at home for as long as you are comfortable - get a bath pillow or two ready as well.
Ask the MW to use a warm compress on your bits during pushingi
Bring stuff to make the shower as comfortable as possible. My MWs suggested 2 squares of foam to kneel on or something foam to rest your head and arms on. And suprisingly, my current MWs are happy for me to even deliver in the shower!

I know it must be frustrating but try to focus your energy on things you can control and change and making this birth as positive as you can!

[forshelby]

Thanks Bloom. All strategies I plan to employ! I might actually enjoy the shower moreso than being immersed. I guess they can't stop me delivering in the shower if that's what I choose, right?

[Jas]

Sure can, shower is a very normal place to birth!!

[Cassius2]

Birth in the shower is totally ok! Usually though the placenta can take a bit to arrive (if you are planning a physiological third stage with delayed cord clamping) so good idea to eventually waddle over with baby to the warm bed and wait there for it to arrive

One thing that people do that want to try to recreate the waterbirth or experience it if they couldnt (or even if they did and wanted to do it all over again!!) is, when you come home with baby, to do it then. a nice warm deep bath (if it were me i'd look into getting or hiring a birth pool), pop on the candles, darken the room and add some lovely essential oils and, as a family, have a nice bonding time in the warmth. there are a few BB members that have done this!

[Razzberry]

I remember asking the midwife on a hospital tour at my private hosp could I have a water birth in their baths. She said no as the baths aren't set up for it (as in only one side of the bath accessible to the midwife) however, she said if you don't call us till your giving birth in the bath then thats where you will have your baby - and a few babies have been born in the baths there as thats what happened!!

[luna moth]

I remember asking the midwife on a hospital tour at my private hosp could I have a water birth in their baths. She said no as the baths aren't set up for it (as in only one side of the bath accessible to the midwife) however, she said if you don't call us till your giving birth in the bath then thats where you will have your baby - and a few babies have been born in the baths there as thats what happened!!

At the hospital where I birth, they pull the plug in this situation. So good if it works, but not really worthy as a plan.

[boomba]

You could just sit on the plug or have hubby stand on it :-)