Point of view for a water birth

[Beckybug]

I am wanting someone's story who has been through a water birth, and some info on it. I REALLY want a water birth but DH is dead against it. I don't know why, he won't say why. So anyone that can give me a good positive story to show him would be great. :D

[Beahes Doula]

Hi Rebecca,

I think (hope) you will find that anyone who has had a water birth will be able to tell you only great things. It relaxes mum and is fantastic natural pain relief. Babies born in water are so calm it is beautiful, they hardly cry, have great apgar scores and have a gentle transition from water (in utero) to the air when they emerge from the bath/pool in mum's arms.

You are also less likely to tear as your perineum is relaxed from the water allowing it to stretch further, you also have a lot less intervention as you are creating a barrier between you and any caregivers. Much more hands off -YAY, allowing nature to take its course.

Let me tell you if men where giving birth your partner wouldn't have an issue with using whatever pain relief you could - HAHAHA. When your partner has to give birth then he can tell you how you can give birth - if a water birth is what you want have one!!!!

Water birth is very safe (providing you have good care)!!

Good luck

[trin_007]

I haven't written my birth story yet, and whilst it wasn't actually a 'planned waterbirth' I ended up in the bath at the hospital and couldn't get out - or rather didn't have time to get out. My labour progressed incredibly quickly at home, I arrived at hospy at 12.30am and all i wanted to do was to get in the water. I had done water aerobics throughout my pg and just knew how good it would feel to be in the water. I spent about 45 minutes kneeling on the bed (I don't why sooooo long) and when they finally filled up the bath and I managed to get in, baby was born in 8 minutes. The relief was instant and although I still felt the ring of fire, I know it was nowhere near as bad as it would have been on land (DS had a 37.5cm head). My middie just kept saying to me - "keep your hips in the water" and that was all I had to worry about.

When its your husbands turn to give birth, tell him he can choose whatever way he likes, until then, he should support whatever process you feel you need to get you through.

If you are looking for positive WB stories, check out the homebirth threads, because lots of the amazing women there use birth pools as their only pain relief.

Good luck with convincing your husband its the best way for you to give birth :D

[Beckybug]

Let me tell you if men where giving birth your partner wouldn't have an issue with using whatever pain relief you could - HAHAHA. When your partner has to give birth then he can tell you how you can give birth - if a water birth is what you want have one!!!!

Good luck

I like this!!! :D I will have to do some googling and get some info. I have always liked the idea of a water birth.

[ck2b]

I had a waterbirth and would never, ever consider giving birth any other way ever!
I spent nearly the whole labour in the water and on the odd occasion I had to get out the contractions where so much worse. I felt safe and secure in the water. I could move if i wanted to ... it was just great.
Waterborn babies are often a lot calmer at the time of the birth...you don't hear that big cry. DD was brought up to me, put on my chest and promplty went straight to sleep. We never heard that big cry.
It is a known fact that waterbirths can help avoid tearing ( I didn't) and teh mother can get through it without pain relief ( I just had the gas).
You really need to see why DH does not want you to have a waterbirth. Is he afraid of the baby drowning? The breathholding reflex the have inside you is maintained until they are brought above the water so they won't when they come out which is usually what people worry about. There are some great books on waterbirth to explain it all, a great video that is available called Waterbirth that is good and not to gory...and TBH since you are the one who has to go through the most painful thing known to mankind I kind of think that how you chose to deliver the baby is more important then where he has to stand to hold your hand...that's just my opinion. Good luck-hope you can talk him into it!
Addit - my birth story is going to be in the next issue of cosmo pregnancy so maybe get him to read that.

[Tam-I-Am]

Here's (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=182214) my waterbirth story from not-quite 12 months ago :) Like ck2b - I would never consider birthing any other way in the future, if I had any choice about it. The SECOND I stepped into the water - instant relief.

[sofiesmama]

hi..i had a waterbirth for my second daughter born 8mths ago & i wish id decided or considered a waterbrith for my first as it was the best experience...everything went to plan & so perfectly,regardless of the 'waterbirth' i think it was my calm attitude & lots of relaxing during the labour which was also lots shorter than the first.i had bub at the birth centre in brisbane & the whole experience was sooo greatly memorable!!i have to admit heat & water work so good together & this is what the bath provides.like a natural pain relief...still hurt but not as much,things moved quick though & didnt have any pain relief.i do recommend it..my hubby was also the same way but after borrowing birthing videos from the birthcentre & watching them together hubby could see the benefits & was totally for it afterwards.so maybe you could get him to see a vid or read into it,there are also u tube clips of waterbirths so this may help???anyway good luck with it all!!(i just noticed the age gap between u & ur hubby...we also have a similar gap between us too!):wave:

[Beckybug]

Thanks everyone. Will have to go to the library and get some books and stuff. We are only on dial up so You Tube is out!

[NibbleCurlynBub]

:goodvibes: DS2 was a waterbirth.
DS1 and DD I hopped in the bath during labour but wanted to get out just before bub was born.

Its fantastic. Well well worth it.
LINK (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=246540) to the birth story. Its a long read, so be sure you have plenty of time. :laughing:

[sofiesmama]

oh i hear u on dial up its sooo slooow!dh gets on utube & waits like almost 10mins for something to come up..lol...there are a few good sites with waterbirth stories.my dh was pretty much against it at first as he thought the risks would b to high,he mainly worried bout bubs.with some knowledge & discussions with our midwife he got his questions answered & was okay with it.

[cmfbaker]

Hi
I have 2 boys. With the first I was in a tub during labour. I was in there for about 4 hours and it was a great pain relief. I ended up getting out of the water to give birth, I just didn't want to be in there anymore, had that been in the pool for too long-feeling. I gave birth on a normal bed and it all went very well, no other pain relief needed.
With my second I knew I wanted to get in the bath again, and thought I might like to stay this time, but I kept an open mind. It was great not having a set plan, I could adjust continually and see how I felt. I ended up giving birth in water, which is definitely the most amazing thing I have ever done! It still hurt lots, and I did tear a little, but all in all it was a great experience.
With number one I just wasn't feeling like staying in the water, so getting out was the right thing for me at the time.
If this is your first, try to listen to what your body is telling you you need too do. If this means lying on your back, being on your knees, in water, no water, whatever, just do it. It's great having a plan, but on the day you might suddenly feel water is the worst thing on this planet!
ALSO, I think you should take your husband/partner very seriously. If he doesn't want you to have a waterbirth, you need to find out why that is. Like someone else wrote, he might be scared it could damage the child or you. He needs to be able to support you during labour, and if he's worried it will be more difficult for him to provide the support you need.
I hope it all goes well!

[LadyGrey]

our hospital runs waterbirth antenatal classes. maybe check them out in your area?? also some homebirth websites have beautiful waterbirth photos, maybe your husband just needs more information? :)

[bedprincess]

I thought I wanted a water birth and had the mid wife get the tub read at the birthing center but When it came 2 the end of the labor All i wanted was 2 get out on the floor. It was great up untill the end though...was very spiritual with the sun coming up and Enya playing. I felt very empowered as a woman. :yelclap:

[mamajess]

I had all three of my babies in water. I couldn't imagine birthing on land.
The deep warm water is instantly soothing, supports your weight and helps prevent tearing. Two of my babies were 4.5kilos+ and the other was over 3kilo. I had no tearing.
Waterbirth is a safe option. I agree, check out youtube and get him to read up on waterbirth.

Ps my stories are in the birthstories thread...you should find a few waterbirth stories there....

[muminlove]

Everyone else has pretty much covered the numerous reasons to have a waterbirth, but I will add this, I had a waterbirth at home, my son was born posterior and 12.6 (pound) with no pain relief other than the water,and i had no tearing at all.
I can't imagine (and really don't want to) not having a waterbirth for future children.
And I have to agree with what others have said regarding whether birth choices are yours or your husband. I told my partner that I would be having a home/water birth and it wasn't up for debate. I was happy to find all the info on it for him to do all I could to put his mind at ease but at the end of the day, it was me going through the 'hard' part of things so it was my choice. He was unsure for some time but after reading a lot and hearing lots of stories he was much more relaxed about it. Now he's very proud to tell people!
All the best!!!

[annsam]

I had a water birth recently for my third baby. It was MAGIC!. The pain subsided pretty much as soon as I got into the water and much less physical trauma with the birth. Wouldn't do it any other way now.

[Seekrit]

I had a waterbirth with my daughter 2 months ago.
It.Was.Sensational.

My midwife gave a book beforehand called "The Waterbirth Book." which was good to read, explained a few things. My husband was also a bit anti-waterbirth (he was afraid that the baby would drown and claimed that it just wasn't natural... the mind boggles)
I'd read things out to him in a non condescending way "Hey bub, this is interesting, it says..." or "aah so that's why..." etc.

He still was a bit "doesn't like the idea" but he agreed he wasn't going to tell me I could or couldn't do anything... it was my birthing space, my birth, and he knew we were in a setting where plenty of people could help me if there was an issue.

As I was in labour, my daughter decided to do a 360 spin, from anterior to anterior.. (she's such a git) and a lot of pain and pressure was in my hips for a long time... as soon as I got in the pool this just went. It was amazing. I sat like a frog, I groaned, I asked for water... and the most pain I remember feeling was the crowning/birthing, not so much the contractions.
Bliss.

Here's my birth story. (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=260814)

[gymmummy]

intersting readin ladies thanks

i've always wondered the pros to water birth and how it helped with pain.
my first i gave birth as you say on land- dont reget it at all and would happy to do again. But this time round i'm doing midwiffey and one of the rooms has a huge bath and if i get thta room by choice or not i was wondering about the whole water thing.
with my first i refused to get off the bed into the shower i just felt safer on the bed plus i had a tens mahine on which you cant get wet.
reading your stoires have enlighten me to the room with the bath for a different option now
thankyou

[Bellini]

Hi Rebecca,

I think (hope) you will find that anyone who has had a water birth will be able to tell you only great things. It relaxes mum and is fantastic natural pain relief. Babies born in water are so calm it is beautiful, they hardly cry, have great apgar scores and have a gentle transition from water (in utero) to the air when they emerge from the bath/pool in mum's arms.

You are also less likely to tear as your perineum is relaxed from the water allowing it to stretch further, you also have a lot less intervention as you are creating a barrier between you and any caregivers. Much more hands off -YAY, allowing nature to take its course.

Let me tell you if men where giving birth your partner wouldn't have an issue with using whatever pain relief you could - HAHAHA. When your partner has to give birth then he can tell you how you can give birth - if a water birth is what you want have one!!!!

Water birth is very safe (providing you have good care)!!

Good luck

I couldn't agree more :yes:. I had a waterbirth at a birthing centre two weeks ago (BC was the only place where I live that allows waterbirths) and I will now never birth any other way. I actually used to be funny about homebirths, but I told DH that if the birthing centre is booked out next time around, I am birthing at home just so I can have a waterbirth again.

The second I stepped into the water I felt soothed and my contractions were not nearly as bad as when I was on land. The only pain I remember from within the pool was when bub was crowning, and even that pain was very bearable. The pain was so minimal that it never even cross my mind that I would need drugs.

After my baby was born, he was brought up to the surface calmly and quietly and it was such a beautiful moment seeing him underwater to come up for his first breathe. I didn't tear and bub received an excellent apgar score. Also, bub is a very quiet, calm baby and almost never cries, which some might say is attributed to his calm birth. I loved my waterbirth experience!