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thread: Who has had a waterbirth?

  1. #1

    Jul 2009
    Australia
    5,102

    Question Who has had a waterbirth?

    As mentioned in my other thread i am really interested in having a waterbirth. The warm water was absolute bliss on my back through DDs labour and was very upset that i had to get out to start pushing!

    Is there anything i should know first. But mostly i am interested in hearing peoples experiences, either negative or postive! Hit me with them!

    xx

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Melbourne
    72

    I had two waterbirths.

    beautiful both times. love the warm water. last birth i had to get out once to use the toilet and as soon as i stood up the difference was incredible. so much more painful outside of the water.

    also last baby was my biggest (4.3kg) and I didnt tear. I didnt in the other two births either but i had grazes that stung for days. but I think this time I didnt graze or tear at all because I was in the pool for about 4 hours before he was born. apparently the water softens the perineum (sp?)

    anyway, love it and highly recommend it.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Jul 2008
    Balnarring, Vic
    1,900

    I had a home waterbirth 3 weeks ago. it was amazing! I found I could really relax in between contractions. I also found the actual birth to be much easier, I didn't even have to push him out.

    only warning, just be prepad for the blood etc in the water after birth. it may look like youve lost liters because it goes so red, you haven't though. just warning so you don't freak out that you're bleeding to much.

    will it be in Hospital? or home?


    now I've done it on water, I could never go back. definitely do it of you can.

    Sent from my GT-S5570 using Tapatalk

  4. #4

    Jul 2009
    Australia
    5,102

    Thank you both

    Thats one of my DP's concerns is how "manky" the water will get But i am not bothered, i didn't even notice all the blood and stuff after delivering DD and DP said there was A LOT!

    It will be at the hospital, i would LOVE to do it at home but not possible

    What was one thing that got me hooked is the delivering my own baby and bringing it up out of the water, i just think that would be such an awesome thing to do. To be the first person to touch my baby

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Middle Victoria
    8,924

    What was one thing that got me hooked is the delivering my own baby and bringing it up out of the water, i just think that would be such an awesome thing to do. To be the first person to touch my baby
    I birthed my son and then brought him up out of the water. Very cool. The water was not manky at all, it was clear for awhile after baby was born and then became bloody when the placenta began to come away. Some people choose to birth their placenta on land, so this could be an option.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Sep 2006
    951

    LMS - I ended up having a water birth at the hospital where you are going and it was beautiful!! I only got in there after transition because the bath was waiting to be cleaned and I birthed my posterior 9 pound 2 baby girl with no grazes or tears... it was beautiful and I hope I can do it again!! I think the water helped soooooo much

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jun 2005
    USA
    3,991

    I had a water birth with my second baby and I wish I had first time too. It's awesome!

    I had second degree tears with both my babies, the water birth didn't help me avoid that unfortunately.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Nov 2009
    Scottish expat living in Geelong
    5,572

    I've had one waterbirth, and twice more laboured in water but not actually given birth in it. For DS1 the water got manky so I got out whilst it was changed and then when it was ready I didn't want to move so stayed where I was. For DS2 he was born in the water and it was lovely. With the twins I laboured in the water until I was pushing and could feel the baby coming fast. I had agreed not to give birth in the water for reasons which will not affect you, and TBH I don't think I lost anything by getting out at the last minute. However 2nd stage only lasted a few minutes (or at least that's what it felt like) so I wasn't pushing for ages on dry land.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Mar 2008
    North Northcote
    8,065

    it is totally awesome!! the warm water, the ease in teh contractions...ahhh cant wait to do it all again

    It is also nice in that the birth pool becomes a bit of a safe place for you. it becomes your space ITMS...very awesome when in that primal space of birth....go for it!!!

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Add CKJ on Facebook

    Dec 2011
    Central Coast NSW
    502

    I'm wanting a water birth so glad I popped in here! Now hoping the hospital allow me!

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jul 2008
    summer street
    2,708

    I love the idea of bringing the baby up out of the water too...it makes the birth so private and intimate for you and the baby.

    I've planned a waterbirth twice now but never set the pool up. I just don't feel like it when I'm labouring. It's weird because I STILL want a waterbirth!!!! Next time....

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Sep 2009
    Melbourne, VIC
    581

    Thank you both

    Thats one of my DP's concerns is how "manky" the water will get But i am not bothered, i didn't even notice all the blood and stuff after delivering DD and DP said there was A LOT!

    It will be at the hospital, i would LOVE to do it at home but not possible

    What was one thing that got me hooked is the delivering my own baby and bringing it up out of the water, i just think that would be such an awesome thing to do. To be the first person to touch my baby
    I had a waterbirth at home late last year - it was *fantastic*. At one point, I'd been in the pool for a while and thinking contractions were pretty breezy and that it was easy to relax in between. I had to hop out briefly to go to the loo and had a contraction that was like being hit by a truck! Well...not really, but I was blown away by how much more painful it was out of the water!

    I lifted my baby out of the water an up to my breast - the first hands my baby felt...and the water was clear afterwards apart from a small amount of vernix. We hopped out after about 10mins because I was getting cold so maybe if I stayed put for a bit longer the water would have been dirtier?

    Hope you get your waterbirth!!

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Jan 2012
    WA
    420

    My waterbirth with dd2 was great, its the primary reason i am homebirthing again, the hospitals around here are not water birth friendly and i just cant imagine drylanding it again. The water was fine till after i birthed the placenta and even then was only cloudy.... none of the 'shark attack' effect DH had been being silly about.

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Jul 2008
    Balnarring, Vic
    1,900

    the water only goes bloody after baby is born. and as eutra said, it doesnt always happen anyway. mine did instantly. honestly though, you dont even care at the time anyway.

    and delivering your own baby, its the most amazing thing. magical.

    Sent from my GT-S5570 using Tapatalk

  15. #15
    Registered User
    Add Dansta on Facebook Follow Dansta On Twitter

    Jul 2008
    a slice of paridise, victoria
    2,680

    I had a water birth with DJ - 3 years ago and would have had one with vic had he not flew out!

    but i love love love LOVED mine. it took all the weight off me and i could relax between ctx. also being a stubbon bull headed person in labour i refused to move so when DJ finaly made his entrance i delivered him myself. the water went manky on me thanks to being so long...and TMI but i did have a mini floaty in with me thanks to pushing for so long but the MW fished it out. but it was fantastic and for me i wish i could do it again. and yes the water goes red fairly quick but i can also say it may not help stop tearing as i tore birthing DJ.

  16. #16
    2014 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.
    Add Sunny Love on Facebook

    Apr 2009
    In a place where Love is what we breathe!
    1,070

    Cherished1 has a beautiful waterbirth story for you, it makes me well up with tears every bleedin' time!
    It's in her signature if you're keen for a squiz.
    xx

  17. #17
    Registered User
    Add Catherine on Facebook Follow Catherine On Twitter

    Jan 2011
    Canberra Region
    266

    my first was a water birth, my second a water labour.

    thie resourcs is great: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Water...6796590?v=info

    I have also attended several women who laboured in water very calmly. I have also attended an amazing water homebirth.

    highly recommended.

    xoxo
    catherine

  18. #18
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    1,488

    I had a beautiful home waterbirth four weeks ago. Prior to that I had 3 land births. I found it easier to relax between contractions this time around. I was also able to labour in positions that I would have found uncomfortable on land- eg. Modified 'hand and knees position' with wide knees and pelvis low to the ground; great for opening up the pelvic region.
    I was the first person to touch my bub. I touched and held his head and body as it emerged. My MW helped bring him to my chest though, as I was in a semi-reclined position and could not lift him safely on my own.
    He was so clean too- not necessarily better, just different; the water had washed away the blood and fluid, etc from his body. We stayed in the water no longer than 10 mins after he was born. I birthed the placenta on land.

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