Attention Water Birth Mums ?? I Need Advice

Hi Girls
With my twins i had no choice on how i delivered really i was in a bed strapped to 100 different things with a cathater and was told i had to have an epidural incase twin 2 turned. I loved giving birth to the twins as i was quick and i had no dramas and the epidural was great but this time i have more control over what i would like to do. Even though i loved the epidural the thought of a needle in my back again scares me. I want to hear from water birth mums to see how your experience was. The hospital im attending has this option available so im looking into it. Before i got pg everytime i had awful period cramps id get in the bath as it was the only thing to relax the pain. Im wondering if it is similar way during labor.. Thanx girl any advice i can get would be awesome.

Hi,
I have had three births and only managed to make it in the water for the last one. I labour very quickly, I have no signs of labour and within one or two contractions I am in transition. This means heavy duty full on contractions straight away. the last baby when I hopped into the water it was the BEST feeling ever. It was so nice to be in there and feel the difference and the ability to relax.
The things i liked about birthing in water were:
The incredible relief when I stepped in.
It was my own space, no-one came in there with me so i never felt crowded.
Its a place where it's hard for too many hands to be touching you and to see how you are going (middy's)
It certainly helped the skin soften and stretch leaving me wound free after birth. In fact it was like I hadn't even given birth within minutes after she came out, no bruising no swelling NOTHING!!! (think this is to do with the water and pre massage)
I was able to get into positions much easier and found comfort in the ease of movement

The only dislike was that it got a little hot in there, when the water cooled it was great, but because it was 'too' cool in the water we had to take bubs out of there not long after birth to save her temp dropping!!


You can plan to be open to being in the water, some people really don't like it. You can always get out if you don't, but I am sure you will enjoy it some time during the labour.

Go well

WATER BIRTH
Birthing in water was sensational! I had a drug free, beautiful experience in my hospital waterbirth. I moved around alot, and when Igot to the point of "I've had enough", (transition!), the midwife suggested I get in the bath - oh sweeeeet relief. Itwas immediate, calming and gentle. I hadn't been in long when I was overwhelmingly needing to 'push'. This new sensation brought renewed energy. I was so happy. I breathed and 'sang' my baby out. Humming between contractions, slowly, not rushing...and the water helped this calming. The room as dark and quiet, I was completely in myself. I knew I was safe and ready.

I would definatly recommend waterbirth.

I recall that it is better to get in the bath closer to transition than in early labour, as it can slow labour down...but if you feel like getting itn - get in, if you want to get out - get out!

Bye for now
Catherine

http://www.waterbirth.org/mc/page.do...38425&orgId=wi

Oh wow you stories sound amazing the twins labor was 5 hours so im guessing this one will be alot quicker. Im a massive lover of my bath so im really looking into water birth this time. Thankyou so much for you info.
Catherine - Thanks info would be great