I had one at home but we ran out of hot water at the worst time so couldn't keep the temp up after the baby was born and I had to get out before the placenta came out. It was an annoying distraction but I would do it again, with an urn as backup!! The waterbirth itself was great and such good pain relief I didn't even think of any drugs (not that I had any available to me). I would recommend it for sure.
I laboured in a bath for my first and birthed in one for my second. I loved both of my water experiences!
My first labour was great. I was in the bath from about 5 cm and really felt relaxed between contractions. Thought I was doing great, as did my midwife. Had to get out for ob to check me (I was at a private hospy and they don't allow water births), got deflated to hear I hadn't progressed, let the pain get to me and ended up with an epidural. TBH I was probably about ready to get out anyway though, as I wanted to be kneeling and the bath wasn't deep enough for that.
Prior to my second labour I had done a lot more research. I was at a public hospital this time which did allow water births, my midwife was trained for water births and knew I was interested in one. I had also read Juju Sundin's 'Birth Skills' and had lots more strategies in the way of pain management techniques. Once I was at the hospy, after all the initial checks etc, my midwife suggested the bath and I agreed cos I knew I would like it, even though I felt like I was happy where I was at the time. I was about 7 cm at this stage. The deeper pool (as was necessary for actual water births) was great, cos I was able to be on my knees leaning over the side of the pool and was still in the water. I was talking and making jokes in between contractions, very relaxed, and I'm very glad that I did agree to get in! DD arrived quite quickly in the end, so I would say I wasn't in the pool for more than half an hour, and unfortunately I got a second degree tear (same as last time).
Even though I loved my waterbirth, there were a few negatives for me.
- I delivered in a kneeling position, so it actually felt a bit panicked cos they made me sit back as soon as she came out so they could pass her up in front of me, instead of her coming up behind. So they were giving me instructions before she was born, and then as soon as she was out, it was like 'right, sit back, do this, do that...'
- Also, at my hospital the policy is that you have to get out of pool to birth the placenta. So just a few mins after she was born, I handed her over to DH so I could get out and deliver the placenta (not an easy thing to get out of a deep pool with a clamp attached to the cord that's still hanging out of you ). And DD wasn't given back to me for ages - we had done the placenta, I had waddled back to my room and I think they had started stitching me before I got her back.
So, even though I loved the water, I'm not sure what I'll do next time. I will definitely labour in the bath again, but may get out for the actual birth.
Oh, and I didn't notice the muckiness of the water (although I think DH did). But for me, the lights were dim, it was very relaxing and the colour of the water wasn't an issue at all!
I've been giving it alot of thought and the bath during my DD's labour was great but for the actual pushing i was comfortable on the bed so i may even give that a go again. I just liked the idea of being the first to hold my baby but DP is a bit nervous about it and said he would like to see our baby boy being born.
I had acupuncture last week and I forgot to mention in my other post that my therapist always tells me that having a water birth is as good as having acupuncture for any pain. Water birth is just good, good good
I had a home birth and whilst I definitely wanted to try the tub for pain relief, I wasn't entirely set on giving birth in it. But when the time came to push, I didn't want to move. Now I can't imagine giving birth any other way, I loved being in the water. Unfortunately I had heavy bleeding straight after (which turned out to be due to my placenta tearing) so I had to jump straight out - I am hoping next time I can transition a little slower from the water back to dry land haha.
I did also accidentally step on the plug a few times so we needed to keep refilling it whilst I was in it- but yeah, highly recommend it
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). And DD wasn't given back to me for ages - we had done the placenta, I had waddled back to my room and I think they had started stitching me before I got her back.
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