waterbirths....

[17mummytobee]

Heyy all well I'm planning on a waterbirth so wondered if any of you had stories and experiances to share? And if so would you be able to answer my questions?
So far my plan is a bit like this...
I want to be mobile until I'm dilated enough to use the pool ( if there isn't a pool available I WILL cry)
I'd like to try and just use gas and air as I can use that in the pool.
If I need extra pain relief I'm going to opt for pethadine or diamorphine ( even though I'm not allergic to it morphine makes me itch)
Can I continue using gas and air ontop of one of these If I need to?
Also would I be able to get ou the pool mobolise and get back in?
I want to deliver my son in the water if so is that possible?
Thanks

 

[Sooz]

It is possible to deliver in the water.

You can use G&A on top of Pethidine/Diamorphine but you can't use those and get in the pool for a few hours after in case you zone out so far they can't get you to move.

You can get in and out the water at your leisure but once you are in and in established labour I can't see you being willing/able to get out.....they had to bribe me out using the G&A mouthpiece and I was really angry with them.

 

[17mummytobee]

Haha sorry that made me giigle
Its allways good to know though as being a first timer I don't have a clue what to expect. I am hoping for just gas and air

 

[kmumtobe]

Being mobile is a great plan but it can be very tiring, even if you cant do mobile keep upright, i was standing up but sleeping head down leaning on the bed for hours as laying made it so much worse! You can't usually get in the pool till you're about 6cms dilated as labours can be very long and slow, they can't have you in their all day! I highly recommend the pethadine to let you get some rest and keep energy in early labour but as sooz said you can't get in the pool for several hours after as it makes you drowsy. For me this was no problem, I had my first shot at 5am at 1cm (they tried to send me home but I was having contractions every 3 minutes and had already been home once so I told em I was staying and put up fuss till I got something to help!), had another must of been about 10am and was finally allowed in the pool at 2:30 when they found me at 7cms. I used gas and air all that time too, I drained at least one canister of the stuff! By the time you're in the pool you probably won't feel like getting in and out but it's your labour, within reason they will support you whatever you want to do. You can stay in till you deliver as long as you have no complications, they sometimes use a mirror to see the baby crowning and will pass baby up to you between your legs, people say you're less susceptible to tearing in water too. You do usually have to then get out to deliver the placenta tho x

 

[lollipop92]

This is exactly how i want my labour to go but I'm worried in case I go too far in the birthing pool and then decide I want an epidural but it's too late lol

 

[Guppy051708]

i have my water birth story in my siggy if you are interested...its a bit long though

i can't answer any questions about G&A because its not an option here in the States.
Yes, you can stay mobile (walk, use a birth ball, squate, etc). You can also use the shower (since it puts you in an upright position) before and during active labor (4cm). A shower will not slow labor since you are upright, or on all fours. The tub, make sure you are at least in active labor when getting in, because it can slow your labor before hand. MAKE SURE you get out of the tub at least once every hour to keep labor going.
Yes, you can get in and out of the tub, if you'd like, but it can be a PITA bc then your wet and cold when you get out.
If you have drugs of any kind, they dont allow you in the water because of safty hazords...im sorta guessing if you are using G&A you arn't allowed in just because it does make you slightly loopy (its still a drug!)But may want to double check that.
if you get an epidural or narcotics, you cant be in the water (safty reasons).
after the narcotics/G&A wear off, then i think you can get it, but that will be a couple hours.
If you get pitocin, you can't be in the water. (electrical hazords)
i loved my WB experience and i am DEF having another one!

 

[xxembobxx]

There a lot of water birth stories on the home birth forum. Some great ladies willing to share their knowledge too.

 

[Jaysmummy]

I had a water birth with my last baby.

Arrived at the hospital with my tens machine on, waters broke shortly after while I was still being examined and I was 6cm. Was told they would fill the pool for me but i takes around 40 minutes and they thought I might have delivered by then. Any way I got in the pool at 10:45am (took tens off first) with the gas and air.

Sort of lent over the edge so I was on my knees. Didn't get out at all, didn't want to. Baby was born in the water at 11:30am!! Was passed between my legs so I could hold him.

The only thing I was told if you actually deliver in the water you can't have the injection to deliver the placenta you have to wait for it to happen naturally. It took me around 15/20 minutes I hink, with a little help from the midwife.

xx

 

[xx~Lor~xx]

With my first, I used gas and air and the birthing pool throughout my labour (from 4cm dilated), I found it reaaaallly good! I had to get out to deliver as there was meconium in my waters though. I continued to use gas and air.

With my second, I used gas and air and the birthing pool again as it worked so well my last labour. This time, even though there was meconium in my waters, my son was in too much of a hurry to come out so there wasn't time for me to get out, (yay) so I delivered him in the water.

I'll see if I can locate my birth stories for you, just in case you want to have a look.

EDIT:
My daughter's (first child) https://www.babyandbump.com/birth-stories-announcements/174989-xx-lor-xxs-birth-story.html
My son's (second child) https://www.babyandbump.com/birth-s...-my-baby-boy-logan-bang-time.html#post8834288

 

[Guppy051708]

i think the injection to deliever the placenta is different from care provider to care provider. i birthed my baby in the water. we waited a few min before getting out, then we got out (with help of course). i went ovr to the bed, bfed. they gave me the injection in my thigh then i delievered to placenta. so they can give you the injection, just depends the routines of the care provider x

 

[Simmer]

I had a water birth a month ago. This was my 4th child and the best birth I had.
My water broke at 915pm we got to the hospital at 10pm where they filled the bath. I sat in the shower while they did. Then once in the bath I floated as much as I could because it felt better. I had no and needed no extra pain relief. My daughter was born at 11:15pm after 10mins of pushing. No stitches required either.
My previous 3 I had just on the bed all with gas and all resulted in stitches. So this birth had far more positives and was more relaxing.
I'd recommend (and I do) a waterbirth to anyone considering it.

 

[Tampa]

Hi! I'm a first-timer too, so no experience, but I can tell our hospital water birth regs.

They only have 2 pools and only fill them if you are between 3 and 4 cm dilated - they say if you're further gone, it's too late because it takes so long to get ready, and the pools are in high demand. Also, the attending midwife has to be experienced (qualified?) in water birthing in particular, so depends on availability of staff too.
I was advised by the physio to mention specifically that I want a pool when I phone to say I'm in early labour, just so they know I can't let it go on too long at home before going in to be checked.

They're policy is to only give gas and air in the pool.

All hospitals are different in their policies on birth pools - Says my SIL who is a midwife - so call them and ask lots of questions.

Hope we get our water births! x