Water birth and contractions stoping/slow

[rachie]

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced their labor slowing/stopping after getting into warm water/tub?

This happened to me during my labor in 2008 (thankfully it did re-start on it's own and I got BACK into the tub and it probably was still a bit slow for awhile but eventually baby was born in the water, as planned and it was wonderful).

I was at least 6cm when I got in - both times. Some people wait until they are about to push - but I seriously LOVED the relief the warm water gave me during the COURSE of LABOR, not just for birth.

Any other experiences/opinions/info regarding this? It also just recently happened to my cousin who's labor stalled once she got into the tub at 9cm! Maybe it relaxed us a little too much??

[wbg]

My contractions did not slow at all when I got in the water. Not sure how far along I was when I got in as I have pretty speedy births and no vag checks. But I noticed no real difference in labour patterns in my land and water babies.

[Jacqui]

my water baby came less than 3 hours after getting in the water, but i was already well into active labor by the time water was available. I felt that the water made the contractions much milder and if i hadnt been so far along it may have slowed labor down.

[kJad29]

My labor slowed after getting in the tub. I was so happy that labor was starting that I just thought I would hang out in the tub and the labor would be quick. Not so. I had to get out of the tub because things were getting really quiet after I started to relax. It felt so good. So I stayed out of the water until pushing time and then things were okay. I know now that for my next baby I'm going to wait to get into the water.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Maybe the water DID slow down progress (though I have nothing to compare my labor to) but I seriously don't think I could have coped with the contractions without it! They were excrutiating during transition- which lasted a couple of hours!