Labouring in water but birthing out of water

**nicoleE** · 15-03-2007 12:41

My Hospital has tubs to labour in and as far as I know they dont rule out water births but my Ob has never performed one and said he would be recommending to me to get out for the actual birth.

Obviously this is possible but Id hate to think that I will get all relaxed and used to the water helping my pain (and not wanting any pain relief) then having to get out to birth and finding I want pain relief (which will be too late for some (and id rather not have gas))

It sounds to me like the Ob just doesnt want to do it because he is not experianced (and I dont particularly want to be his first!). I asked him what happens if Im already in the water when its time to push and he said "Id be strongly recomending you get out". I have not forced the issue with him (im only 10 weeks and just had our 1st appointment the other day).

Just a side note - I am seriously thinking of having a Doula for support (to take the pressure of DH a bit), perhaps if she is experianced in water birth could this help and open the door to the option of birthing in the water or should it just be the Ob who should oversee the birth and be 'in charge' since he is qualified?

I am not in the frame of mind that i HAVE to have a water birth, as this is my 1st baby i dont know what labour will be like or how my body (and mind) will cope with it. I am not anti drugs although would like to give it a go without them.

Has anyone experianced anything like this or have any comments?

**spiritedfamily** · 15-03-2007 14:07

I've only experienced a waterbirth at home and would have to say...the time I get in is in transition and to birth baby, if my CareProvider asked me to get out, I think I'd punch them

Hiring a doula who has had experience in waterbirth would be a good idea - yes!!

Mostly This is your birth, your body and your baby...I wouldn't let an obstetrician dictate what natural pain relief options you have.

**mum33** · 15-03-2007 14:15

i laboured in the water for a good 4 hours. they made me get out so i didnt have a water birth. it was the best thing at the time.

**Rainbowbrite** · 15-03-2007 14:15

I laboured in a bath & they made me get out to deliver. I wasnt impressed

I honestly didnt think they water worked.......till I had to get out

**Mother Duck** · 15-03-2007 14:18

Damona has summed it up perfectly

I am planning to homebirth next time so that I can have the birth I want - no way do I want to do it out the water

You tell your ob what you want but yes - get a Doula who has expereince (pref a midwife that knows about homebirthing!)

Good luck!

**jkate** · 15-03-2007 14:20

I laboured in a bath with DS2, but choose to get out myself near the end because I couldn't get comfy. I am hoping this time to maybe deliver in the bath, but I am at a different hospital and they only have one bath and I have heard they may not do water births

- I am going to check at my next appointment.

**harvey123** · 15-03-2007 14:21

i think this is pretty standard in hospital. i know where i gave birth ahd this policy. to have a full water birth i think you either need a birthing centre or at home. i suspect it's an insurance thing from hospitals and not your obs decision.

**Ashleigh<3** · 15-03-2007 14:25

I've only experienced a waterbirth at home and would have to say...the time I get in is in transition and to birth baby, if my CareProvider asked me to get out, I think I'd punch them

I concur!
I swore to myself I'd deliver my baby in water and I did.

I laboured in a bath & they made me get out to deliver. I wasnt impressed

I honestly didnt think they water worked.......till I had to get out

I hope that wasn't at Wyong.
My midwife was wonderful!!! She encouraged me to get in the bath and deliver in the bath.
She basically just sat beside the bath passing me water, giving me some encouraging words, passing me the oxygen, she was wonderful.
I was even able to deliver Chloe, pull her up to my chest.

**blueangel** · 15-03-2007 14:25

I was wanting to spend a lot of the labour in the bath but found that I couldn't handle sitting still and had to walk around. It is hard to know what will work best until you try it!

I spent alot of time in the shower as I could still move around.

**Tea Lady** · 15-03-2007 14:39

I wouldn't want to be his first either Nicole! I had to get out of the bath right at the end and it wasn't fun at all (although I probably could have got out at the beginning of 2nd stage I think). I wasn't as fussed on the bath as I thought I'd be to be honest, and if you need an episiotomy (like me) they can't do it in the bath.

A doula is really there to support you, not to provide expertise in delivery, so I don't think you could rely on her to offset the ob's inexperience in water births IYKWIM.

Good luck!