Waterbirth

[MrsBexie]

Hi all!

I just wanted to share my experience as I had a water birth. I won't write my full birth story because I have already done that, but here is the link:
Charlotte claire's arrival!! * long*

I got in the bath at 3:15am after being in labour from 7pm, I was only 4cm when I got in the bath. Previously I had been in the shower and I thought that was good with the water! Once I got in to the bath I felt instant relief on my hands and knees which was awesome (I had been on them since about 9pm) and my lower back was eased as well. Having the warm water around me was so soothing even though the contractions were still really painful!!! I was in for 2 hours and the water helped me to rest in between contractions too! I had to get out at 5:15am as you are not allowed in for more than 2 hours... I was devestated!!!! Straight into the shower from there... I couldn't bear to have a contraction outside the water so I pretty much ran as best as a woman in labour can to the shower... lol.
By 6:15am I was begging my MW to do an internal to check how dialated I was and let me back in the pool...
Got into the water at 6:30 at 8cm dialated and my MW said it would be about an hour before I would need to push...
Approx 1 min later I got my first contraction in the water and half way through I had the OVERWHELMING need to push, I roared (yes I say roared...I felt like a lion!!) "I need to push" and my MW came running over, they placed a mirror between my legs and my husband got in the pool behind me (there was a ledge/seat in the bath)... it took 2 contractions before we could see her head, then the third contraction about 5cm of her head could be seen, 4th contraction I stretched to about 10-15cm wide and the 5th contraction I had stretched to almost her whole head circumference so about 33cm... I sat for 3mins while her head was almost crowned waiting for the next contraction just looking in the mirror between my legs at her head and using my fingers to gently stretch around her head... the next contraction that came, she came shooting out like a rocket into my arms and I lifted her up onto my chest. So from 6:30-6:50 was my pushing stage.

It was amazing to deliver her myself and to be able to watch her come out with the mirror. The water was amazing for the pain and dialated me so much faster then outside the bath would have... it took 8hrs to get to 4cm when I got in the bath and only 3hrs and 50mins from 4cm to holding my darling girl in my arms, I am pretty sure it's the water that helped get her out so fast!

I would HIGHLY recommend a water birth to anyone thinking of doing it!!! It is just amazing to have the weight lifted off you and the force of gravity removed from delivering... it allowed her to come down naturally and how she is meant to. Being able to deliver and catch her myself was amazing and I am definitely going back for another water birth next time!!! If the hospital doesn't have a birth pool/bath I will honestly consider a homebirth just to get the bath!!

If you are considering it, I'd suggest to give it a go! It's fantastic!!!

[Cassius2]

totally agree! love the water!

[Cricket]

Yep, with you on that! Water is definitely the way to go, IMO. I delivered DD3 in the bath, and laboured with DS there (WONDERFUL!!) but had to get out after 45 min of pushing to try some other positions.... Anyways, it's the perfect thing for relaxation and pain relief!

[MrsBexie]

Its good hey cricket? I couldn't bear cx outside the water!! And it helped me dialate so much faster!! Took 8hrs to get to 4cm and only 3 hr 50 from 4cm to holding DD!!

[xXHopeXx]

Can't agree more!! I labored in the water since I arrived in the hospital to just before I pushed (now I'm kicking myself, if I hadve stayed in I would've had a complete waterbirth!) I had to have my tub drained and wow the difference!! I mean the contractions still hurt but nowhere near as much!!

I can't recommend the bath enough!! It is absolutely amazing!

[melbnewbie]

Hi Mrs. Bexie,

I am totally new and would love to get your recommendation about how to go about finding a doctor who will work with me on finding a good water birth facility. we are moving from the US and unfortunately won't have insurance so we will have to pay out of pocket and I am so confused about the difference between the public and private system. If you or other members have suggestions, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks so much in advance!!!

P
lo

Hi all!

I just wanted to share my experience as I had a water birth. I won't write my full birth story because I have already done that, but here is the link:
Charlotte claire's arrival!! * long*

I got in the bath at 3:15am after being in labour from 7pm, I was only 4cm when I got in the bath. Previously I had been in the shower and I thought that was good with the water! Once I got in to the bath I felt instant relief on my hands and knees which was awesome (I had been on them since about 9pm) and my lower back was eased as well. Having the warm water around me was so soothing even though the contractions were still really painful!!! I was in for 2 hours and the water helped me to rest in between contractions too! I had to get out at 5:15am as you are not allowed in for more than 2 hours... I was devestated!!!! Straight into the shower from there... I couldn't bear to have a contraction outside the water so I pretty much ran as best as a woman in labour can to the shower... lol.
By 6:15am I was begging my MW to do an internal to check how dialated I was and let me back in the pool...
Got into the water at 6:30 at 8cm dialated and my MW said it would be about an hour before I would need to push...
Approx 1 min later I got my first contraction in the water and half way through I had the OVERWHELMING need to push, I roared (yes I say roared...I felt like a lion!!) "I need to push" and my MW came running over, they placed a mirror between my legs and my husband got in the pool behind me (there was a ledge/seat in the bath)... it took 2 contractions before we could see her head, then the third contraction about 5cm of her head could be seen, 4th contraction I stretched to about 10-15cm wide and the 5th contraction I had stretched to almost her whole head circumference so about 33cm... I sat for 3mins while her head was almost crowned waiting for the next contraction just looking in the mirror between my legs at her head and using my fingers to gently stretch around her head... the next contraction that came, she came shooting out like a rocket into my arms and I lifted her up onto my chest. So from 6:30-6:50 was my pushing stage.

It was amazing to deliver her myself and to be able to watch her come out with the mirror. The water was amazing for the pain and dialated me so much faster then outside the bath would have... it took 8hrs to get to 4cm when I got in the bath and only 3hrs and 50mins from 4cm to holding my darling girl in my arms, I am pretty sure it's the water that helped get her out so fast!

I would HIGHLY recommend a water birth to anyone thinking of doing it!!! It is just amazing to have the weight lifted off you and the force of gravity removed from delivering... it allowed her to come down naturally and how she is meant to. Being able to deliver and catch her myself was amazing and I am definitely going back for another water birth next time!!! If the hospital doesn't have a birth pool/bath I will honestly consider a homebirth just to get the bath!!

If you are considering it, I'd suggest to give it a go! It's fantastic!!!