Is delivering in water less painful than not?

[Overthemoon]

I've been sitting here watching some birth videos and the ones that labor and deliver in water seem much less painful. Does that seem accurate?

I'm thinking I might like to try delivering in my garden tub. Would that work okay?

Would love any feedback!

[XanaduMama]

YES! Being in the water is miraculous. During transition with dd, at the peak of the contractions I started arching up out of the water...until I realized that emerging from the warm water made them a hundred times worse! It's also great to be able to labor/birth in any position that feels comfortable, as the water supports you--so squatting, for example, was totally comfortable.

Not sure about the garden tub, but I think others on here have done that. As long as you're comfortable being naked and laboring outdoors etc, I'd guess it's probably fine.

[kerikadi]

Originally Posted by XanaduMama

YES! Being in the water is miraculous. During transition with dd, at the peak of the contractions I started arching up out of the water...until I realized that emerging from the warm water made them a hundred times worse! It's also great to be able to labor/birth in any position that feels comfortable, as the water supports you--so squatting, for example, was totally comfortable.

Not sure about the garden tub, but I think others on here have done that. As long as you're comfortable being naked and laboring outdoors etc, I'd guess it's probably fine.

:

I gave birth in a garden tub 3 times

[BekahMomToOliver]

I loved the birth pool. After my water broke, I found the contractions to be very intense. I managed a few leaning on the bed while the pool filled, but the moment I lowered myself in the water there was a huuuuuuge difference. For me, they went from about a 9 to a 4 out of 10. I cried when the midwives wanted me to get out to pee, it just felt so good in the water
I do know a girl who really didn't like the pool for labour and had to get out. I think alot of it, like everything else about birth, is very individual. I'd definitely recommend giving it a try though. I loved that it helped relieve the pressure and I could focus again.
Good luck!

[earthmama369]

It was such a different experience for me. I labored and birthed "on land" with my first and in the water with my second. The contractions were so much more dealable. I was able to ride them out and work with them much better, and the pain didn't seem as intense, I think because my belly was so supported.

[moderngal]

I really didn't enjoy the water so much... but that might be because I was in denial that things were progressing so quickly and therefore didn't get in the tub until I was ready to push. And I don't think any place is really comfy at that point!! I did have a waterbirth though. And it was in my jacuzzi tub in my bedroom.

[Peony]

I really enjoyed the water, it made a huge difference in the pain level for me. I labored in the water with DD1 but had to get out to give birth (hospital), the pain level was much higher, DD2 was born in the water, and it was a night and day difference. Not everyone likes the water, but I'd rather have the option then to want it and not have it!

[frontierpsych]

Yes, definitely! So much more relaxing!

[blissful_maia]

Absolutely! Not only are you more relaxed, but the water provides gentle counterpressure and helps with stretching/prevents tearing.

[wbg]

Honestly, I loved giving birth in water. It was very comfortable to change positions in and a very gentle welcome for baby. But I have to say, I did not think my contractions were less painful. It just provided another coping tool. I have given birth on land without meds and once with an epi and as amazing as my water birth was, I still think my contractions during the intense periods were the same. Still...if I had a choice I would only ever give birth in water!

[Amber Lion]

I was in and out of the pool throughout my birth and sometimes it was amazing and sometimes I needed to be somewhere else. When I needed the water though.... oh boy did it feel good! Addie ended up being born in the water, but I don't know if that would have been more painful or not since she was my first. I'm definitely using the pool for any subsequent kids though!

[lilabet]

Will I be able to labour in a normal bath? It's fairly deep, butonly your normal width...will this help at all?

[katmann]

I chose a birth tub over my home tub because I had taken a few baths in late pregnancy and I couldn't submerge my abdomen properly; it just wasn't deep enough. I haven't given birth outside of water, so I can't really speak to an actual comparison. I can say that while I was laboring outside the tub, waiting for it to fill, I really wanted to get in. Once I did, I felt relief, and a great sense of buoyancy, which I think helped while I was pushing.

All that being said, pushing hurt like hell. I really was surprised at how painful and exhausting it was. But I never thought about transferring to the hospital for pain relief or anything like that. I had really great support, which was the most important thing. I think the water was helpful because it's a great medium in which to move your body around while you're trying to find a comfortable position, which I was constantly.

[leavemealone]

I didn't really like being in the water. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't love it as I hear so many people say they did but I am not really a "water person". I don't really enjoy long, soaking baths or getting in a swimming pool. I shower in the morning to get ready - I don't see water as being relaxing for me.

I don't even really feel the water lessened my contraction pain, but then again, nothing natural would have taken away from the pain I had. Compared to my first two births, my only labor that I used water with was way worse no matter where it happened. I am glad that I labored in the water, but I birthed on the floor b/c I didn't like the pushing stage while in the water. I'd been in the water about 6 hours at that point. I'd had my limit of being in the pool and I was ready to get out. Also, I just wasn't pushing effective enough in the water. I felt like I needed to be able to feel more than the water was allowing me to feel.

[Overthemoon]

Thank you everyone!
I think I will give it a try.


Oh the garden tub in is not outside, but in my bathroom, it's just one of those huge deep tubs that you can stretch out in and soak in (I bath my 3 dc in there at the same time). I did try some positions last night to make sure I'd be able to move around comfortably and to make sure I'd be submerged enough. Seems like it will work well.
I'm excited to talk to my midwife about this! I'm concerned about tearing so maybe this will help that fear.

[littlemomma]

Originally Posted by BekahMomToOliver

I cried when the midwives wanted me to get out to pee, it just felt so good in the water

Girl, I just peed in the pool! =)

[LittleLu'sMom]

My first birth was in a hospital, and I got the epidural at 8 cm after 25 hours of back labor. This one was a homebirth, and it took 3 hours from "Yep, those are contrax" to baby being here. I was in the pool for the last hour, approximately. I must say, labor was so fast and intense, I'm not sure the water helped with contractions at all. However, psychologically, being in the water took away some of my fear (same as you, I was scared of tearing...I still did, but I didn't feel it happen and it was minor enough not to need stitces) and I didn't want to leave when it was time to push.

[Overthemoon]

Thanks girls!
I just got off the phone with my midwife. She gave me the if I want to do a water birth. She said whatever I'm comfortable doing she is open to. Makes me feel better.
It's hard to know what I'll want to do, but I like knowing this is a viable option for me.

And I just can't wait to have this baby already LOL. I'm getting so "in the zone" LOL.

[ChaoticMum]

I have had two 'air' births and one waterbirth - thankfully the waterbirth was the one where I delivered my 10.5lb son with no tears!! LOL The water was AMAZING. With my first two deliveries I wanted to be in the water soooooooooo bad, but the first I had only a shower avail in the hospital, and the 2nd, a homebirth, I had only a regular tub - not enough to submerge my belly, nor safe to kneel and lean over as my body wanted me to.

The third?? a pool in our bedroom and it was amazingly different. The warm water helped my perineum so I only had to put pressure on, and I had my whole belly in the soothing warmth!!!!!

[AmieV]

Not to be contrary, but while I always find water to be extremely helpful for labor pain and highly, highly recommend it...I don't think it was any less painful for the actual birthing part. And I've never torn on land or water. I think it's always great to have the option but not to get so hung up on it in case you don't want it in the moment or something else happens (with my last birth we had a faucet malfunction and then a hospital transfer so my waterbirth plans went down the drain, har har har)