Anyone have an accidental waterbirth?

[plumptobump]

So my hospital doesnt allow waterbirths, but I was talking to my doula today, who has been at several deliveries at the hospital and said just to sit on the plug when in the pushing stage and they cant drain the water or get you out. So, it had me wondering...how many have had accidental waterbirths...both intentional accidents and unintentional accidents?

[BazzasMum]

My GF did! Just as well, her DD was over 9lb and she had no tears or anything! Just refused to get out when pushing came, and it's not like they could have dragged her out the bath!!

[Milyn]

This could be a very interesting thread. I had a homebirth waterbirth very much planned and it was fantastic!! Going for a second with my fourth child in November.

[NibbleCurlynBub]

:laughing: This is GREAT!

I love it when women throw off the oppression of 'policies' to get what they want birth wise. :yes:
Its great to hear!

[Tam-I-Am]

My GF did! Just as well, her DD was over 9lb and she had no tears or anything! Just refused to get out when pushing came, and it's not like they could have dragged her out the bath!!

At the hospital where I had my first, they left a big freaking pole in the middle of the bath while I was in it, so that they could pull it out at a moment's notice. AND they wouldnt' fill it beyond the bottom of my belly, AND the water was about 30 degrees (COLD!). It SUCKED....so I didn't stay in it for more than about 5 minutes - and I think that was their intention! *sigh*

I had a very much planned home water birth for my second - it was heaven! I'm so glad that some women are getting that in hospitals :D

[Naboo]

I find it weird that some hospitals don't allow water births!

[Tam-I-Am]

LOTS of hospitals don't, Naboo :(

[PunkyDiva]

I just had my first Home Waterbirth too :thumbsup: and I have read of a few mums on here who have just refused to budge from the bath or shower forcing midwives to join them.:smiliedance:

[plumptobump]

I certainly hope it works out...my doula said there is one midwife at my hospy that is amazing, but she only works there on Tuesdays, so Ive had a chat to bub about it. She said this mw will just sit back and let you do whatever you want to birth...awww, bliss! :)

[KatiesMum]

a bit off topic - but I have always wondered ....

Why do hospitals not like or allow water births?

[plumptobump]

a bit off topic - but I have always wondered ....

Why do hospitals not like or allow water births?

Legalities. They want to cover their butts as much as possible, and somehow studies and stats just arent enough to convince them its a safe option. :rolleyes:

[Naboo]

I'm going to the RPA in Sydney which (I could be wrong) delivers the most babies in NSW. And they DO allow water births. In fact the mid-wife at my antenatal class said that they put big baths in all the birthing rooms expecting to have more water births but most women (especially first timers) only use the tub for pain relief and get out when it's time to deliver.

I rang the hospital last week to make sure that water births were ok and the lovely mid-wife I spoke to said yep absolutely.

So thats why I wonder, if one of the biggest hospitals that delivers babies in the State allows waterbirths - why on earth don't others? Doesn't make sense to me. I'm so glad I'm going there now!

[AnnaT]

It takes too much time and effort, and with alot of hospitals understaffed, I guess it just doesnt seem a viable option in their opinion. Plus I guess theyd have to train midwives in waterbirthing (even though it seems straight forward) to cover the legal side of things and that again would be $$$ and time.

Plus putting birthing tubs into all birth rooms would cost $$$ too.

Sad really and exactly why I am using a birth centre for this bub, I want a waterbirth for my final baby.

[MelissafromSyd]

Why do hospitals not like or allow water births?


It can be hard to ask people to change their practices. If you imagine someone who was educated 10 or 20 years ago, who was not taught about water births and has seen thousands of babies come out quite healthy without the use of water, it can be hard to ask them to reconsider their thoughts and change their practices.

Some people think they are unsafe, some people don't know how to assist a woman with a water birth, and some feel mroe comfortable with women out of the bath. Some will also say they have a bad back and cannot bend over.

For waterbirths to be allowed, there must be a policy on them, and most policies are written by obstetricians who might not feel comfortable with the concept.

Cheers,
Melissa.

[finkleberry]

I wondered the same thing. I used to think it was because of hygiene. But c'mon it's a hospital! Maybe they're worried if one person has it then everyone will want it and they just don't have the time or resources to deal with that ****. Hey "The Business of Being Born" Riki Lake doco a must see!. or check it out on youtube (they show her naked in the tub having her baby!)

[CaitlinRhiana]

I'm also hoping to have a water birth at the birthing centre here in Canberra. …:yelclap:
My MW can’t wait! She loves water births…. I was very lucky to get onto the MW program. I know upstairs in the birthing unit they have a bath and will let you labour in, but not deliver…..
Imagine getting ready to Push and then being told you had to get out……:eek: bugger that…. And I'm sure it happens…..

[Ashleigh<3]

a bit off topic - but I have always wondered ....

Why do hospitals not like or allow water births?

Because their stupid.

Apparently babies don't know how to swim in water...

Oh I've heard tones of stupid excuses.

[Ashleigh<3]

For waterbirths to be allowed, there must be a policy on them, and most policies are written by obstetricians who might not feel comfortable with the concept.

Yeah, I remember the look from the random obstetrician I sat next to on the plane, when I mentioned I had a water birth. He shook his head in shame.

I just shook my head in shame right back. :)

[Mathermy]

It can be hard to ask people to change their practices. If you imagine someone who was educated 10 or 20 years ago, who was not taught about water births and has seen thousands of babies come out quite healthy without the use of water, it can be hard to ask them to reconsider their thoughts and change their practices.

Some people think they are unsafe, some people don't know how to assist a woman with a water birth, and some feel mroe comfortable with women out of the bath. Some will also say they have a bad back and cannot bend over.

For waterbirths to be allowed, there must be a policy on them, and most policies are written by obstetricians who might not feel comfortable with the concept.

Cheers,
Melissa.

They wouldn't want to say that to me:devil::devil6:

[~Emmylou~]

Yeah, I remember the look from the random obstetrician I sat next to on the plane, when I mentioned I had a water birth. He shook his head in shame.

I just shook my head in shame right back. :)

Oh dear lord...why don't I ever get a captive obstetrician seated next to me on a plane....:laughing:

That's my wet dream.

OK carry on ladies. :D

[shed]

At the hospital I went to they have big tubs in the bathrooms that you can labour in but I was told at the tour that they don't allow waterbirths.

I said to my doula that I would love to see them try and get me out of there if I decided I wanted to stay in.

As it turned out I wasn't a fan anyway and hopped out of my own accord and gave birth on all fours on the bed instead.

I will give it a go next time though. I hear it's fabulous.

[sweetpea4]

waterbirths are a wonderful, gentle way to birth your baby. however there are risks associated with it and should only be carried out by a suitably trained midwife, there are reasons why they prefer you not to actually birth under the water and those reasons are the safety of your baby, babies must be gently allowed to birth, rotate and come up to the surface of the water very slowly, any deviation to this can be dangerous to babies lungs. If the midwife is not trained in waterbirth, she will ask you to get out of the pool when you start to push, for safety reasons, not because of her back, or its not policy or any of those reasons.
Think about all that before you refuse to get out of the bath when you start pushing, safety is paramount to midwives and deserve respect of that.:flowerz:

[Mathermy]

waterbirths are a wonderful, gentle way to birth your baby. however there are risks associated with it and should only be carried out by a suitably trained midwife, there are reasons why they prefer you not to actually birth under the water and those reasons are the safety of your baby, babies must be gently allowed to birth, rotate and come up to the surface of the water very slowly, any deviation to this can be dangerous to babies lungs. If the midwife is not trained in waterbirth, she will ask you to get out of the pool when you start to push, for safety reasons, not because of her back, or its not policy or any of those reasons.
Think about all that before you refuse to get out of the bath when you start pushing, safety is paramount to midwives and deserve respect of that.:flowerz:

I would prefer to respect the rights of birthing women and demand more midwifes be "suitably trained" so that water birth is available to all healthy women and babies.

I think it is a disgrace that women should have to miss out on the birth of their choice due to an evident hole in the comprehensiveness of midwife training.

[NibbleCurlynBub]

I would prefer to respect the rights of birthing women and demand more midwifes be "suitably trained" so that water birth is available to all healthy women and babies.

I think it is a disgrace that women should have to miss out on the birth of their choice due to an evident hole in the comprehensiveness of midwife training.
:iagree:
You saved me the time. I couldn't for the life of me find a nice way to say it. :no:

[NibbleCurlynBub]

And she should do everything she is told to do to make it a little easier for the poor Dr who is swamped at work. :rolleyes:

[~Emmylou~]

I would prefer to respect the rights of birthing women and demand more midwifes be "suitably trained" so that water birth is available to all healthy women and babies.

I think it is a disgrace that women should have to miss out on the birth of their choice due to an evident hole in the comprehensiveness of midwife training.

:yelclap::yelclap::yelclap:

[PunkyDiva]

babies must be gently allowed to birth, rotate and come up to the surface of the water very slowly, any deviation to this can be dangerous to babies lungs.

Sorry, but I think that's hogwash. As long as cord is intact bub is still being oxygenated by it.
Ending of my waterbirth was very harsh and abrupt without damage. He was blue as cord was snapped but gentle massage and blowing on his face soon remedied that. In a hospy he would have been rushed off and ventilated etc etc etc.

C/s has known documented affect on lungs as they haven't been squeezed by contractions into working order, yet you don't hear anyone saying don't/you can't, have one for that reason.

Hospy Protocols are a conspiracy I say!! :p

[Naboo]

Hey does anyone know if I can still have a waterbirth after being induced? I'm being induced on Monday (due to medical reasons although I will also be 41 weeks) and am wondering if I can still have my planned waterbirth. BTW just so you know my hospital does allow waterbirths.

[sweetpea4]

Hey does anyone know if I can still have a waterbirth after being induced? I'm being induced on Monday (due to medical reasons although I will also be 41 weeks) and am wondering if I can still have my planned waterbirth. BTW just so you know my hospital does allow waterbirths.

Even when you are induced, you should still be able to use the pool, do you know if they are gonna use the prostin gel or break the waters and put up the drip?, if its the drip, they might want to monitor the baby for a short period to check the baby is not stressed by the contractions. its better to have the gel and wait for labour, even if they break your waters ask to be left some time to labour, some hosps put up the drip immediately, but whatever you decide to do , am sure by asking your obs or midwife to use the pool, they can listen in to the baby frequently with a doppler rather than a continuous ctg. all the best with your birth:thumbsup:

[Naboo]

Thanks. I think it's gel in the evening then drip in the morning after 12 hours or something. I'll tell them as soon as I go in on Monday that I'm aiming for a waterbirth. Luckily, the midwives at the hospital I'm going to seem very open and accepting about waterbirths :)

[lilpearl]

I'm going to the RPA in Sydney which (I could be wrong) delivers the most babies in NSW. And they DO allow water births. In fact the mid-wife at my antenatal class said that they put big baths in all the birthing rooms expecting to have more water births but most women (especially first timers) only use the tub for pain relief and get out when it's time to deliver.

I rang the hospital last week to make sure that water births were ok and the lovely mid-wife I spoke to said yep absolutely.

So thats why I wonder, if one of the biggest hospitals that delivers babies in the State allows waterbirths - why on earth don't others? Doesn't make sense to me. I'm so glad I'm going there now!


If only other hospitals followed in the lead of the RPA! I had my second baby at the RPA. it was a VBAC also, and I birthed int he birth centre, in water. There were no policies for continual foetal monitoring for VBAC either "because it's not evidence based" (and that came from an obstetrician! :thumbsup:). Since I have been back in Melbourne, I have not had any options in any hospital, and have not been allowed to use any birth centre, despite my fantastic birth at the RPA. I am now expecting my 4th baby, and it will be my second home waterbirth here in Melbourne, as there is no other choice for me, and there is no way known I would birth without the option of water! Two major things that need to change in the system are policies for VBAC (I believe this is being looked into by the College of Midwives) and waterbirth policy.....VBAC is normal, (and I think it is disgraceful that so many women are being talked out of the safest way to birth their babies...the majority of women who have had a caesarean should be birhting vaginally next time round) and waterbirth are normal, there should be no issues.

[lilpearl]

waterbirths are a wonderful, gentle way to birth your baby. however there are risks associated with it and should only be carried out by a suitably trained midwife, there are reasons why they prefer you not to actually birth under the water and those reasons are the safety of your baby, babies must be gently allowed to birth, rotate and come up to the surface of the water very slowly, any deviation to this can be dangerous to babies lungs. If the midwife is not trained in waterbirth, she will ask you to get out of the pool when you start to push, for safety reasons, not because of her back, or its not policy or any of those reasons.
Think about all that before you refuse to get out of the bath when you start pushing, safety is paramount to midwives and deserve respect of that.:flowerz:


If a midwife is not comfortable with waterbirth she needs to get herself familiar IMO, otherwise she is not working in the true definition of what a midwife is.....waterbirth is very simple if you know what you're doing and waterbirth and midwifery go hand-in-hand. There is no gentler way to birth a baby than waterbirth, and midwives need to support this.

[mixy]

waterbirths are a wonderful, gentle way to birth your baby. however there are risks associated with it and should only be carried out by a suitably trained midwife, there are reasons why they prefer you not to actually birth under the water and those reasons are the safety of your baby, babies must be gently allowed to birth, rotate and come up to the surface of the water very slowly, any deviation to this can be dangerous to babies lungs. If the midwife is not trained in waterbirth, she will ask you to get out of the pool when you start to push, for safety reasons, not because of her back, or its not policy or any of those reasons.
Think about all that before you refuse to get out of the bath when you start pushing, safety is paramount to midwives and deserve respect of that.:flowerz:

I just want to point out, that many many many women deliver there own babies (with a midwife present) in the water. They pull the baby up to the surface without help. i know i am not 'trained' in how to pull my baby out of the water, most women aren't. And im not worried that anything will happen. I think that midwives having experience with water birth is so important, but i think that should be part of there training. Women should not be denied something that is safe and could definatly have an effect on her birth experience

[sweetpea4]

Yes thats very true, however birthing your own baby under water is probably safer in a away as the woman will guide the baby up once the head has crowned, I think as soon as we medicalise it, theres problems with 'policy and procedure' and it has to done a 'certain way'
The places that offer water birth have very skilled midwives that work there who have lots of experience in the normal stuff, at private hositals where the obs make the rules, its harder for women to find out about and choose their birthing method. Does anyone know if there is a service for women to meet a midwife and talk aboutt birth in the private system thats covered my health insurance or not? i know parent ed classes do it but what if its your 3rd baby, you should be able to discuss the birth and meet a midwife, don't you think? maybe there is a way that i don't know about, anyone? :ecomcity:

[lilpearl]

I believe some private hospitals employ midwives to have more of a role during a womans pregnancy - it would mean shopping around. Personally, I don't think private hospitals are respectful of what a midwife is. In my belief, midwives need autonomy in their profession, and should not simply be working for doctors. The idea of working in a private hospital as a midwife just makes me cringe, I'd never go there. I think women who really want a birth supported with a midwifery philosophy should think about either a public hospital birth or, better yet, a homebirth.

[MelissafromSyd]

Personally, I don't think private hospitals are respectful of what a midwife is. In my belief, midwives need autonomy in their profession, and should not simply be working for doctors.

Touche! I believe that private hospital midwifery is akin to obstetric nursing in that the midwife is employed to follow the orders of the OB, unquestioningly. OBs have orders / preferences that the mw is expected to follow and the contract of care is really between the ob and the woman, not the woman and the woman. therefore the mw is in no position to advocate for the woman; if the woman wants or does not want an aspect of the care that has been prescribed by the ob, then she needs to discuss it with the ob. the mw is the hand-maiden in many situations (just my opinion here!)

[pkbub]

Touche! I believe that private hospital midwifery is akin to obstetric nursing in that the midwife is employed to follow the orders of the OB, unquestioningly. OBs have orders / preferences that the mw is expected to follow and the contract of care is really between the ob and the woman, not the woman and the woman. therefore the mw is in no position to advocate for the woman; if the woman wants or does not want an aspect of the care that has been prescribed by the ob, then she needs to discuss it with the ob. the mw is the hand-maiden in many situations (just my opinion here!)

When I gave birth at a private hospital I had a midwife and a student midwife there for the labour (& DH). The OB was too busy in his office to get there for my quick labour:D I was happy to not have him there, I think the midwives were all I needed at the time. And for the care in the following days in hospital, I felt the midwives were wonderful - and I think I saw the OB 1 or 2 times over the 4 days. Midwives are great!

I hope my midwives did not feel like hand-maidens.

Now I am TTC #2 and looking at my birth options...Not sure which way I am going to go yet. Waterbirth sounds very appealing, but I remember I felt very hot in my last labour and not sure how I'd feel about it once I was in there.