active birth vs water birth...?

[missriddler]

I want both! Lol anyone got thoughts/experience? I can't decide!x

 

[smallpeanut]

Have both then with my dd I was active right up until an hour before I had her. I got in the pool and gave birth. Plan to do the same this time. You can always get out the pool and move about if it's easier. Xx

 

[MindUtopia]

I agree, have both. You don't have to stay in one place just because you're in the pool and you don't even have to stay in the pool. But it's great to have the option of the pool because you can always get out if you want more space to move around. I planned a water birth, but actually spent most of my birth bouncing on a birth ball and walking around. I did get in the pool for about 30 minutes, but it didn't really feel right, so I got back out, walked up and down the steps (had a home birth, so in my house), and just stopped wherever I needed to push. I found moving around felt better at the time, but you really never know what's going to feel the best for you in the moment. So I'd plan to have a water birth, but also have towels and dry clothes ready if you want to get out and move around too. I gave birth on dry land and didn't feel like I needed the pool for pain relief, but most people find it helps a lot.

 

[Pearls18]

Yep agreed, I sort of had both first time, although I was in the car for most of it but I was moving around right up until I got in the pool and birthed very shortly after. I planned this time to be active for most of it and only in the pool once it got unbearable so I guess transition onwards, but things progressed too quickly so it was active only. I was only planning on water for pain relief first time. Having experienced both I think they are both great and a mix is even better

 

[Eleanor ace]

Agree with the others, have both, either seperately or together . I was active and on "dry land" until I got to the hospital and then I got in the pool and spent the rest of my labour in their (I was 8cm when I got there). I prefered the pool so only got out to have my waters broken, but I was still active in the pool- I walked around in there, did step-ups on the steps to try to change LO's position (that was a sight I bet ), I was able to do lunges and squats and roll my hips whilst rocking etc. I did as about taking the birthing ball into the pool but no one took me seriously and with hindsight it probab;y would have been a bit of a disaster but other than than I was able to be active as I was out of the water.

 

[kaths101]

I did both, stayed upright and active for most of it, it was only when the pain started getting more intense and I was near the end end I got in the pool which was lovely!

 

[SarahBear]

I had neither. I thought being active would be the way to go, but for me, the best way to deal with the discomfort was to be very still. At one point the best way was to sit straight up and be still while the contractions passed. At another point I was on the bed in the position described in the bradley method book. And at another point I was on the toilet. I am not a fan of water-birth. It's yucky and then there's the issue of keeping the baby warm. You can always be prepared for both so that you can do what feels right in the moment.

 

[Reno]

I sat on the birthing ball until I got in the pool, laboured in there for a few hours and gave birth in the water.

Leaning more towards an upright/walking around/active birth this time so I can be out of the water for the head coming out to reduce the chance of another bad tear!

 

[SarahBear]

Does a water birth put you at higher risk for tearing?

 

[Pearls18]

Does a water birth put you at higher risk for tearing?

I asked my MW this and she said there's no conclusive evidence either way, she said some believe the water relaxes the skin to better able baby to come out more easily without tearing, others believe the warm water makes skin more susceptible to tearing. I think positioning can hinder it, I tore a little in my water birth but I gave birth in the worst position on my back, if I had of been upright as I was birthing DS2 (on dry land) I may not have torn, which I didn't second time around.

 

[Reno]

Does a water birth put you at higher risk for tearing?

Technically, no! But it does mean you can't get 'hands on assistance' should you need it! Out of the water they can help stretch the skin as the head is coming out, or give an episiotemy if needed!

I think in my case I just pushed too much too soon! End of a 26 hour labour (from first contraction) I just wanted him out!

 

[BunnyN]

I don't think you will know until you are in labour what feels right. Prepare for both and keep your options open.