What supports to use in the bath?

Just wondering what props or supports you used (or are planning to use) in the bath for a water birth? During the pregnancy I have loved lying in the bath rolled over onto my stomach so that bubs can just totally hang down, the weight is completely taken off all my insides and it feels great. When I do this I prop myself up on my elbows with my hands on my chin... I hope you can picture that position. I find that way more comfortable than having my arms up on the edge of the bath like many of the water birthing picture you see. The way I've been doing it allows my neck and shoulders to also be in the water and it allows me to be flatter rather than more of an up on all 4's position which I find more comfortable on my knees. BUT the position I've been using puts a fair bit of pressure on my neck and elbows so I'm wondering if anyone knows of something I can put in the bath with me that I can lean on which will be soft and do the same job?? I've been told there is such a thing as a sunburg net but can't find that anywere on the net for the life of me! dh is thinking of a big piece of foam cut to shape but I imagine it would weigh heaps by the time it's saturated in the bath? Any ideas would be great.

In the birth center there were rails next to the bath that I held onto until the pushing stage, then I just held DF's hands & my doula held my head.

Our birth suite had smaller bean bags that we could put in the bath, and foam mats like yoga mats cut in half to lay in the bottom of the bath. I always thought I'd be on atleast my knees when birthing in the bath but ended up laying back facing up.

A small yoga ball? My H tried to fit the yoga ball in bath for me last labour as I needed to be upright but our bath was too small and I couldn't get it all to work so I stuck with the shower. You have me thinking now though and I might try the yoga ball in the birth pool this time- thanks!

I had DD2 in a birthing pool and found towards the end I really wanted something to brace while I was pushing. I ended up squeezing and leaning really hard on the edge of the birth pool and all the water started flowing over me, out of the pool and onto the carpet! On my birth video you can hear my midwife say, "someone move the fan! it's electrical!" LOL!! So from my own experience, something to brace if you plan to deliver in water is a great idea.

Oky doky ladies we have come up with a few solutions! We went to a foam factory type place and asked about what kinds of foams would sink or float. We got several offcuts for $1 each to try out. We've found 2 perfect sized ones for under my knees and another 2 which will be fantastic behind my back or under my butt if I want more hight if I end up birthing in the regular lying/sitting position in the corner of the bath (kwim). All the bits of foam wont take up that much room in our bag and even dh could use them out side the bath (or inside) for padding or for behind our heads etc so we thought for about $8 they are a bargin and we can just throw them away afterwards. Then I tried our blow up travel pillow.... Oh what a winner!!! so boyant and comfy in all positions, even laying on my side, stomach, back to free float or leaning against the side of the bath, so that got us thinking about kids floaties lol so yesterday at Kmart we picked up a blow up kickboard for $3 BARGIN it looks like a perfect size (a tad bigger than the travel pillow and a solid shape), I will try that out in the next couple of days. We also got another blow up thingo but will let you know if that ones works??? Pool noodle was ok until I found all these other things ;) As far as bracing or hanging onto something goes I guess the edge of the corner bath would do, I can't remember if the birthing rooms at the hospital have rails, I imagine they would do. I don't have a small yoga ball myself but the hospital does, that'd be worth a try if need be too. They do have bean bags but they are large and said you couldn't take them into the shower or bath. Thanks everyone :)

About a week after I had DD I was yawning and stretching my arms up and my Mom freaked out and point to a huge purple greeny bruise on the inside of my right arm, like the underside of my elbow (and I'd been taking arnica too) I was in such a baby haze I hadn't even noticed it, but we figure it was from the moulded arm supports that were part of the birthing bath. I'd been gripping both sides with my arms when I pushed and must have been really gripping on the right side!

You've done well with finding all of your supports! Good luck - not long now :)

I had DS2 in the bath at Selangor and I found that the bath was only just deep enough for me - I wanted to be completley submerged 'cause I couldn't deal with being cold and pain at the same time. So for me extra foam bits would have been a hinderance. There are handles on the sides of the baths to grip onto (I think).

I was in the first birth suite as you walk in, not sure if the baths are deeper in the other suites.

Good Luck!