Why did you have/will you have a waterbirth?

[demeter]

Just curious.
For me I didn't even really think about it, I just always assumed I would. I guess because I imagine it would be a nicer entry into the world for my baby who is used to her yummy liquid surroundings, and because I have always been a swimmer and used baths for meditation and relaxation, I am always very happy when surrounded by water.
What about you?

[faery]

loved the idea of bubs going from water to water, without the harsh change in environments. heard it was great for pain releif. also, ds is a pisces so i really wanted the water element in his birth.
i'm not much of a swimmer, but i wanted to swim everyday when i was pregnant.
and ds is such a waterbaby now. he loves bathtime and rain on his head (not that it ever rains here) and will be starting swimming lessons soon.

[~rambox~]

There is no where here in Townsville yet to be able to have a water birth but i would so love to try it

[TigerBlueBear]

My first was a csec, my 2nd was a "normal" vbac and my 3rd child was a waterbirth.

I hated my first birth, I was very happy with my 2nd birth but the waterbirth was out of this world.

My last labour was short and intense and being able to float and kneel in that great big warm bath while my husband poured water over my back and my team encouraged me was stunning. I had absolutely no pain relief with this labour - unlike my first two where I ended up with epidurals - and yet I felt this labour was my most pain free.

I chose the bath because I also like water and I find it a great relaxing place to be when I am tired or feeling a bit off colour.

I would do it again but that was my last baby.

[QTB]

i wanted a waterbirth because it seemed like a nicer way for baby to enter the world, for the relaxing aspect of it (for me and bub) and of course cos apparently it doesnt hurt as much!! :D unfortunatly, bub had different ideas and as midwife was in the other room filling up the tub he desided to fly out and land in a pile on the bed! hmm so much for a gentle relaxing birth ahy.... oh well, next time im plannign to get in the water and labour in the water and not get out of the water!! :thumbsup:

[lisags]

I am planning to have a waterbirth at home in late Oct/early Nov. My second was born in the spa in hospital but I couldn't classify it as a proper waterbirth as the OB kept him out of the water when he came out (I was leaning over the edge of the tub).
I really want a waterbirth next time because the relief between contractions was amazing, I don't think the contractions were less painful but the water enabled me to relax in between them. I also didn't tear and I think the water helped.

[samjak]

For me, it was where I was, for hours before my first son was born, and for about an hour before my second son... and there was no way I was moving! I birthed at home, and so it was the big kahuna for me as far as comfort measures go, and I loved being in the water. My husband held my face out of the water while I slept between contractions, and my midwife was happy with me and the baby, so there was never any talk of me getting out. They were both born into the water and I picked them up as they were gently passed through my legs by our loving midwife. It's such a gentle way to birth, and to be born I think. If I have another, then I'd love to have access to water again, and I'd take it as it came as to whether I got in or not, every labour is different!

Tania

[pickles]

I didnt actually birth in the water but used it for both my labours. It cuts the pain by 50% at least. Both times however as i began to push i felt that i needed to be 'grounded'. With the first i knew i woul dneed to squat to open my pelvis. With the second ( 2min second stage ) i got out in order to lie on my left side to slow it down. Both times however it was on the side of the bath on a mat on the floor surrounded by my husband, sister, mother and midwife.
Clove bud oil from my aromatherapist worked a treat.
DD - 5hours, 20 min secondstage. 7 pounds 10.
DS - 1.5 hours, 2 min second stage, 9 pounds
If i had a third i would have a homebirth using a birth pool.
Pickles

[shed]

I thought I wanted to use the tub so we filled it and I hopped in and hopped back out again because I didn't like it.

Never predicted that.

[spiritedfamily]

I had all 4 babies at home in water.
I original chose waterbirth because when I was discussing pain and what ways to naturally relieve it, water was suggested...I picked my midwife's brains about the ins and outs of it and came to the conclusion I wanted to attempt it. When I went into labour, my midwife & DH started setting the tub up and filling it up...I stepped into the tub just before transition and found that the water actually helped me move in to this stage sooner. DH sat on the outside, rubbing my back and talking to me as I needed, he was a fantastic quiet, calming, presence. I liked the idea of having a private place to birth, I always birth in dim light, so it has an element of peace about the environment.

I absolutely loved my waterbirths and hopefully if all is like the last 4...no. 5 will be born in water too

[Jamily]

I had a waterbirth with DD and am planning on it again when I give birth this time. With DD is actually came about by accident really - I knew the benefits of labouring in water and once I was in the bath and saw how much it helped me, I just didn't get out! It was truely an amazing experience and I have absolutely no fear of my upcoming labour....infact in some wierd and wonderful way I can't wait! I used to love my baths when I had AF pains or just crampy so it made sense to try during labour.

[demeter]

Thanks for all the replies!! Such positive stuff to know!! I'm really looking forward to labour (and getting pregnant!! :laughing: one step at a time, Sarah, one step at a time) and now I'm even more excited about doing it in water.

Can anyone say whether they think, or noticed, waterbirth had a positive effect on the baby too?

[spiritedfamily]

Yes!!!! and mostly because I'm calmer and the transition from womb to the atmosphere is gradual. Each child has been different, I find that the inital pushing baby out can be a shock, once the head is born, the baby seems to come out really fast, so the water helps cushion this. One of my baby's opened her eyes very quickly (no 4) and she went straight to the boob. The simple fact that you are at home, is already a comfortable environment and the water is a added bonus.

[mammaduke]

I think I was ripped off in the pain department in regards to water birthing!!! My first one was born on a birthing stool and I can honestly say I didn't feel a thing considering I tore inside too. The most pain I felt with that was the anaesthetic needle they used before stitching me up. My second baby was born unintentionally in the water, my midwife filled up the tub so I could use it for pain relief and when I got in there was no way I was getting out. As for pain, I felt every bit of her coming out even though I didn't tear at all and I used no pain relievers. Not sure if I'd ever do it again as I like to do something different every time. I don't know if it has anything to do with it, but I feel much closer to my second child after going through all that pain. Does anybody else feel like that?

Cindy

[bouschka]

From all the research I've been doing, I'm definitely heading for a home & water birth. Really resonates & makes sense for me. Not because I like water, but every birth story I've read re:waterbirth mentions the calmness of the baby after being born. Beats the h*ll out of a slap on the rump!

Still, got plenty to do before we start ttc.:cool:

[Lila]

hello

well, i didn´t have a water birth, but i wanted to have one....

i tried to have a vbac and i went into this wonderful, lovely and really romantic looking spa in my hospi, i was really great- but i had to jump out after a few minutes- the labour pain just got unbearable :mad: .....

so...no water birth for me, but a 2nd cs (now 3 cs.....:banghead: )

well that was my experience, totally the opposite what i expected, as i LOVE the water and LOVE my spa....