just wanting to know

[jessgray]

hi
i was wondering if anyone could tell me whata water birth is like? is it easier or harder then a non-water birth? and if you have a water birth waht options for pain relief are available ?

[DoulaFelicity]

Hi jessgray. :)

Water is known by midwives as "nature's epidural". It supports your weight, and provides warmth, relaxation, and mobility, all of which aide greatly in dealing with the sensations of labour. I used a bath and shower heavily throughout my 24 hour labour, and the difference between labouring "on dry land" and in the water was phenomenal! I honestly can't fathom how anyone can labour without the benefit of water (but then again, my Doula's brain tells me we're all different, and what was heaven to me may not feel the same way to another labouring Mama :) ).

In terms of "easier" or "harder" - labour is always hard work. It's best just to focus on what feels good for you when you're labouring, rather than what's easy or hard.

If you're having a water birth, it's likely you won't feel you want any medical pain relief. That's what the water, your breathing, your focus, and your support people are for! :D

If you choose not to birth in your home, you will need to find out your Hospital's attitude towards waterbirth. Most Hospitals will not let a baby be born in the water, and will either tell you to get out of the bath/shower, or simply pull the plug out themselves. This is because most Obstetricians and Midwives are not "experienced" in attending a waterbirth. :rolleyes: If you want to avoid this happening, you will need to ensure they support your wishes for a waterbirth prior to the event - or, failing that, take a legal letter threatening litigation if you are removed from the water or the plug pulled! (Sounds funny, but I know a woman who had to do this in order to have her waterbirth in a Birth Centre. It worked!)

Try these for some information on waterbirth:-

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/watrbrth.html

http://www.waterbirthinfo.com/

http://waterbirth.org/spa/index.php

http://www.thelaboroflove.com/forum/water/

Best wishes for your beautiful birth.

[Jamily]

I had a water birth when I had Emily. It was amazing and I will DEFINATELY be doing it again if I have another baby. Gas was offered to me (most hospitals have a portable unit) but I didn't feel I needed it. The water was incredible at making me relax, which in turn eased the pain. I have posted my birth story on here in the water birth section and that will probs give you more of an idea of what I went through and how it worked.

As DoulaFelicity said a lot of hospitals dont have staff that are 'experienced' and are not allowed to let the baby be delivered in water. I was told during my labour by my midwives the same thing, however I was also told that if I refused to get out there was nothing they could do ;) I just said that I wasn't getting out and that was it....They were more than happy to let me deliver in water and getting out was never an option for them either. I delivered Emily into water and she was lifted from there onto me and we remained in the bath until after I had delivered the placenta. The water was a bit icky but to be honest I didn't care at all at the time. :D

Good luck :hugs:

[jessgray]

thanks guys :D

[Tulp]

Does any hospital in Melbourne have waterbirth facilities?

[Blairsmummy]

I had a water birth last December and absolutely LOVED it!

The warm water was beautiful on my back and the midwives were so supportive of whatever I wanted to do. I got rid of the harsh lights and had a touch lamp on dim and Mozart's extended version of Twinkle Twinkle little star playing as my little man entered the world. It was a very cosy and sort of 'romantic' experience and I would not have changed it in any way.

I had two applications of the gel and waters broken, but whole labor was 4 hours from start to finish. I only pushed for a short time and held my bub for the first time while dad cut the cord and our midwives took photos that are priceless of the very first moment Blair and I met each other.

Due to the water I'm sure, I had no tears and no need for any other pain relief than a little bit of gas. I would HIGHLY recommend it to anybody. Just be aware, that no epidural is possible for a waterbirth though.

At the end of the day, go with your instinct and don't listen to any negative relatives or friends. My husband and I made the choice that was best for us and our baby. Quite a few raised eyebrows and 'hippie' comments were thrown our way, and I am sure my grandmother still thinks I had him in a spa with bubble bath and champagne :) . Unless they are planning on giving birth for you, tell them to butt out!

Good luck on your decision.

[crystaljs]

Hi i also had a water birth 5weeks ago and i would most definatly have another one i had no drugs what so ever and it was clean and relaxing. i couldnt imagine doing it any other way now. I think the floating helps alot with the pain and presure on you back.

I have my girl at Royal North Shore hospital in there birthing centre i could have had Gas and Pethadine if i wanted it BUT I DONT (GO ME):yelclap:

[angel_one]

i almost had a water birth last time round!, and have spent most of my labour from both babies in water, however with baby 1, they didnt actually offer water birth, and with baby 2 baby was showing signs of distress due to my water breaking 19 hours before he was born, so she didnt want me to deliver in the bath as i was supose to be iv'd but couldnt get the needle in my hand lol, but any way back to the topic, i found that labouring in water was the greatest its just sooo much more relaxing, and warm (if your shivering from a stinking fever!-baby 2 or if its winter- baby 1) and with both babies i was out of the tub with an hour to spare before birth, and i had no problems down there after the birth healed up quite quickly, it was great, and hopefully this baby will be a fully fledged water birth :fingerscrossed:

[Butterfliez]

Does anyone know of a hospital in South Eastern Melbourne that does Water Births? I found Casey Hospital in Berwick, which is lovely, but it is public. Very nice, only max of 2 people to a room, but apparently not all midwives can do a water birth, so if I went into labour when they are not on shift, I can't have one. Also, if the baby went into breech and I needed a ceaserarean, they would shift me to Dandenong which I am not too keen on. Do I take the chance I don't need a ceasar and go there, or should I get private health cover and go to Penninsula Private where they have baths for the labour, but you can't birth in them? I also heard that they cannot make you get out if you want to birth in the bath. Is this true?

I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks guys!

[angel_one]

jennine, im not sure how health insurance works these days, but when we were looking at it when i was pg with baby no.1, it had a little thing about not being able to use the insurance for maternity in the first 12 months! , which became pretty muchly useless for us! considering i was only gonna be pg for 9 more months!

any way im not sure how it all works these days but something for you to look at before you go about getting it to have the baby.

[~V&M~]

I am extremely interested in having a water birth when our time comes. I am hoping to go to the North West Brisbane Private but am not sure if they offer water births as an option. If they don't, can anyone recommend a hospital in Brisbane that has these facilities?

Ta!

[Tam-I-Am]

I feel like a freak after reading all your replies BUT - when I was in labour, the middies put me in the bath after the gas stopped working for me. IT WAS HELL. The water was not hot enough (I later found out that in labour, water often feels cooler than it is because your pain tolerance is higher so you're not as receptive to stimuli), it wasn't deep enough, I couldn't move around, and it made everything so much worse. I honestly believe that if I had just kept walking/showering, I would not have asked for an epidural.

So while a lot of people find it to be heaven - I hated it, it was the worst decision of my labour (although I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't tried), so be wary.

[*Sparkles*]

Jenine,
I am looking at Casey hospital too and a water birth. They didn't actually say to me that it might not be possible (depending on when I go into labour) so I will be checking that out. I found it to be a great facility and if any problems arise I would be referred to Dandenong Hospital.

[Adria]

Hey V&M, Royal womens hospital offers it to low risk births.:thumbsup:

Depending if your private or public.
If your public you must be within their boundry.(not sure where that stops and starts.)
Publicly you can also opt to go in "ballod birthing centre" This is a really popular option, where you name goes into hat and you have to be lucky to be drawn out.
You need a referal from Dr ASAP.

Anyone else know of any in Brisbane?