Need info on water birth

[Inanna]

FTM: Congrautulations on your pregnancy & I want to say it's great that you are exploring your birthing options. Educating yourself on choices available to you and what resonates with you is an important part of the journey to Mother.

Waterbirth I can attest is a beautiful, calm and safe way to birth your baby into this world. If you click on the link in my signature you can see photos of one of my births...

It can be challenging to find a hospital that will support water immersion in labour. However there are places that will and hopefully in time the numbers of hospitals that support waterbirth will grow.

If you cannot find a hospital that fills your needs you could consider a homebirth. Most homebirth (if not all) are experienced with water birth.

Options in birth are very important for you may feel like you want a waterbirth but want to get out of the tub at the last minute. (I did this with my son - it felt very important actually urgent to birth "on land"). Without options we run the risk of stifling the natural urges, responses and energy of birth. So, if your local hospital doesn't support water use - petition them. Write letters etc. Activisim & speaking of your experience is a positive way to action change.

Someone mentioned using the tub but sitting on the plug. I believe this is both potentially dangerous and disrespectful to your careprovider. Forcing a midwife to assist you to deliver your baby in a method she is not comfortable or educated with can be dangerous for your baby. Forcing a midwife (by refusing to get out of the tub or sitting on the plug) sets up a negative and distrustful energy around the birth - birth needs to be as honest and open as possible. It is one of the most sacred events in this world - tainting it intentionally is not a good vibe. Think of the midwife who also may not be covered by indemnity under hospital policy.

I hope you can source out a model of care and options that are in sync with your values.

There are far more options than water or bed. There are lots in between that can help with pain relief. An active labour has the most favourable outcomes. Squatting during contractions, hip swivelling, pulling down from (fixed and strong!) furniture, shower on your back, hot packs etc.

An epidural is not going to happen in water due to the lack of movement and monitoring required. Opiates (pethidine) cannot be used as they will make you too drowsy. Some places will have portable gas - but generally using water means that very little pain relief is needed. Water is a fabulous way of decreasing your discomfort!

Wishing you a beautiful birth...

[Lulu]

Someone mentioned using the tub but sitting on the plug. I believe this is both potentially dangerous and disrespectful to your careprovider. Forcing a midwife to assist you to deliver your baby in a method she is not comfortable or educated with can be dangerous for your baby. Forcing a midwife (by refusing to get out of the tub or sitting on the plug) sets up a negative and distrustful energy around the birth - birth needs to be as honest and open as possible. It is one of the most sacred events in this world - tainting it intentionally is not a good vibe. Think of the midwife who also may not be covered by indemnity under hospital policy.

I really agree with this. We had a great thread about sitting on the plug awhile back . I wouldn't recommend it for a first timer. I would have NO ISSUE whatever about sitting on the plug..but I've done birth 3 times already so I'm armed and dangerous about my rights

I hope you can find a waterbirth middy if you want. At the FBC you could still have a waterbirth if you didn't meet the FBC criteria as long as there was a waterbirthing middie around at the time.

[Inanna]

Yes I understand Lulu - just that we ask or demand that our careproviders are honest, respectful and trust us... We need to do the same...

I've seen hairy waterbirth with inexperienced help and it's not pleasant... Conversley the safety of waterbirth is second to none PROVIDED you have knowledgeable aid...

[Peace Angel]

I am a midwife who works within the area health service covered by Nepean. The info I gave is up to date on the current policy. At Westmead there are midwives allowing "accidental" waterbirths in their new facilities, but you would have to be lucky enough to get the right one on the day. The only waterbirths in any of these facilities are accidental currently.

[Emmykate82]

Hi First Time Mummy,

I am also birthing at Nepean and was planning a waterbirth!

Peace Angel i am very confused! Thankyou for your information. I am currently 28wks, having antenatal care at Nepean and have been told on multiple occasions that my plan for a waterbirth is fine as long as the plug is pulled when bub is actually birthing! In fact, that is my prime reason for birthing at Nepean, apart from the fact that i start working there in january. Now i am concerened, and without sounding rude, a bit ****ed off (not with you obviously), but with the misinformation i have received. I know there are medicolegal issues surrounding waterbirths, and i know there are many pre-planned, labelled 'accidental' waterbirths that occur at Nepean, Hawkesbury and Blacktown hospitals.

This information is really disconcerting.

First time mummy, i hope you get the birth experience you want and hopefully a water birth will be available to both of us when the time is here. Good luck!

[Midwife Melissa]

I am also birthing at Nepean and was planning a waterbirth!

Peace Angel i am very confused! ... have been told on multiple occasions that my plan for a waterbirth is fine as long as the plug is pulled when bub is actually birthing!

If they pull the plug, it's not a waterbirth! You can labour in the bath at nepean, but you cannot birth in the bath. What Peace Angel has said is correct, I'm afraid. I have had a few clients who have birthed at Nepean (and I have worked there) and they do not support waterbirths. None of the hospitals in the area health service support waterbirths (westmead, blue mountains, blacktown etc).

The only option for a waterbirth is home birth.

[organicem]

To the ladies who would like a water birth. Just talk to the midwives at your chosen hospitals as there is so much conflicting information in this thread now.
At least if you are talking to those who will be assisting with the birth you will be getting the correct information.