Need info on water birth

[first_time_mummy]

Was wondering if you ladies may be able to shed some light on water births.
I have tried to research it on the net, but prefer your opinions.

Can you have a water birth at a public hospital? (nepean?)
Can you have the normal drugs, ie gas epidural etc during a water birth?

please shed some light on water irths and how they are carried out, as i am considering having one.

thanks for your time and help

[Lisa]

Most hospitals have a policy in regards to water births. I know many don't allow it.
As I haven't had a water birth, nor do I seek pain relief during labour or birth I can't answer your other question with a 100% accurate answer but I am fairly certain that epidural wouldn't be allowed for a water birth as it numbs your lower body which would be bad when in the water.

[KazB]

I laboured mostly in the birthing pool with the intention of giving birth there. As it turned out things didn't quite happen as planned. But whilst I was in the pool I wasn't allowed any pain relief at all, no gas or peth and an epidural wasn't available to me as I was at a birth centre, but I would imagine that you wouldn't be able to have that either.

I will say that the pain relief the water offered me was fab though and it wasn't until I was taken out of the water that I felt like I REALLY needed any pain relief, the pain was so much more managable in the water. I highly recommend it, my only regret is that I wasn't able to give birth in the pool, but I ended up having to have a caesar.

[Oorki Galoorki]

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[Peace Angel]

Nepean hospital currently doesn't have a policy to allow water births. There are midwives who know how to waterbirth who work there but the manager of the birth unit frowns on any "accidental" waterbirths which may occur. There is a policy in the pipeline to allow waterbirths for hospitals in that area health service (Auburn, Nepean, Blacktown, Westmead, Katoomba and Lithgow) but the bigwigs at the top keep delaying approving it despite lobbying by midwives within these hospitals.

[Schmickers]

Yeah, definitely not epidural during a waterbirth because as mentioned, it numbs you from the waist down and is a pretty major intervention that will require continuous and close monitoring. Possibly gas for pain relief, although one of the benefits of labouring in water is that it provides a great deal of pain relief in and of itself.

I wouldn't recommend sitting on the plug, though. The only thing worse than giving birth on land when you wanted to birth in water, is a poorly-managed waterbirth. Waterbirth is a beautiful experience that is easily spoiled by a frightened, panicked midwife without experience in waterbirth who is desperately trying to get you out of the water. If you are serious about a waterbirth, and your local hospital midwives cannot support you, then you might want to consider looking into a homebirth with an independently practicing midwife, who is experienced in assisting you to have a waterbirth.

[Midwife Melissa]

Can you have a water birth at a public hospital? (nepean?)

The short answer is no! They don't have a waterbirth policy.

Can you have the normal drugs, ie gas epidural etc during a water birth?

Epidural = unable to walk, so you can't have an epi and a waterbirth. You'll also be continuously monitoed and your labour and birth will be medically managed after you have an epidural. You can have gas and possibly pethidine with a waterbirth, it just depends how much the peth affects you.

The only place to have a waterbirth is at home with a private / independent midwife. No hospitals in your area support it

[first_time_mummy]

oh ok.
Thanks for your help.
The main reasons i was considering a water birth was that it seems as though the warm water of the bath would be a great natural pain relief, however i am hoping to have the gas aswell to relieve any other severe pain.

Perhaps i will consider just having it in the bed, where pain relief is easily offered.
Im just new to all this, and everyone keeps asking me about my 'birthplan'', and to be honest i really dont know what to do, or how to have him/her.

What other birthing options are out there? Is it just basically in the bed, or in water. I would love to be allowed to shower right up til i have to push, cause i have always found warm/hot water to be an instant pain relief, esecially for back pain which i am experiencing a lot atm.

[Shades]

It's definitely not just in the water or in bed! Unless you have the epi or get bullied into continuous monitoring, there's no reason why you shouldn't be allowed to walk around, shower, dance etc, and give birth on/next to a bed, chair, stool, beanbag, ball, floor, partner - whatever is available Google active birth and see what comes up - also try looking at some of the birth plans in this thread...

[first_time_mummy]

thankyou so much shades for your help, an the link to that thread.
Im just stressing, or not stressing but getting a little nervous as i really dont have any idea on how to have the baby. I mean i honestly thought it was a matter of put the legs up and push

I got a shock when all my friends started asking what my birthing plan, and rattling off all these different ideas and ways to give birth

[Macca79]

Get in contact with your local Childbirth Association or the like and see what classes on birthing are available to you. Most hospitals offer something but many of these are not actually classes on how breath, move and position yourself in birth. In order to let your body work as it is made too you need to be able to move around as you see fit (remember that in all this you are doing the work so its important that your wishes are heard). You have every right to say no to internal examinations and monitoring. If in doubt question what the medical staff want to do to you and don't be afraid to ask why. Having a doula can be of great assistance (birthing attendant who advocates for you and your wishes).

Another perfectly good option is homebirth with an independent midwife. Homebirth is also an option for waterbirth.

[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!