Is anyone else uninterested in a waterbirth?

[St. Margaret]

We're planning a HB this time, had a very nice natural birth in the hospital last time (with Dr. Wonderful ). The hospital didn't have birth tubs, and while I did get in the bathrtub at home for a while, it was just fine. It got cold and DH warmed it up but before long I got out.

I dunno, maybe it's because I'm a Leo? I just wanted to be comfy and cozy during birth. The toilet was my favorite spot for a while, but by the end I wanted to get on the bed and curl up on my side. I just lifted my one leg up (rested on OB's shoulder) and pushed DD out when I felt like it. Am I seriously denying myself something wonderful if I don't plan on having a tub available? I'm also curious about how many here have used the tub to get them through part of labor (I know you're not supposed to use it too soon so you don't slow down the process) but then birthed out of the tub? I've read about it since starting to learn about birth, and felt for a while like I should do it b/c it's supposed to help, but it's never really spoken to me.

Anyone else?

[Ahappymel]

I can say that I did not want a birth tub or waterbirth, but once I was in labor, the water was the place I wanted to be because of the relief it brought.
I'm glad that my husband encouraged me to have the option available. Then if I didn't want it, I didn't have to use it...but to have it as an option turned out to be a good thing.

[Ahappymel]

Oh...I did not give birth *technically* in the water. I stood up and delivered my baby standing in the tub, but above the water.

[CherryBombMama]

i have no desire to have a water birth. i remember w/ my ds, standing in a warm shower helped relieve contractions, but i feel like when i take a bath, i want to RELAX, not try to give birth lol

also, although i birthed in a hospital the first time and too embarrassed/didnt think to take off my gown, every single thing that touched my skin bothered me. so i can only imagine how sitting in water would make me cringe.

so for birth #2, im planning lots of shower time for the labor, but being in the dry living room for the birth

[MoonStarFalling]

I had a pool at home last time. I really didn't feel like it did anything helpful except make me have to change into dry clothing. I won't bother with a pool again.

[dachshundqueen]

Nope. Not a water birth person here. Hot shower for periods of time yes, bathing in my own "stuff" - yeah no, that's a turnoff for me.

Liz

[lunarlady]

I used the bathtub during early labor to help deal with the pain of contractions, but by transition I just wanted OUT. I birthed DD on our bed. In bed I could totally relax and focus on pushing.

[mbhf]

I'm not interested either. I rented a tub for my third birth, sat in it for a few minutes while it was filling up, got out and went to the guest room. I got in the tub (just a big deep garden tub) for my fourth, but when it came time to push (I was in the tub maybe 20-30 minutes) I wanted OUT. I didn't get very far though.

[St. Margaret]

Okay, this makes me feel better. I may or may not have the option available, but I was starting to think I was just crazy b/c there's so much discussion of tubs and all that. Whatever works for you, right? Thanks!

[limette]

The weird thing for me is that water is my go to for pain/stress relief but when I tried utilizing it during labor (shower or tub/pool) I just found it really irritating.

I really hated being in the water during labor. I've tried it in two births now and it has the same effect each time.

[MaerynPearl]

I dont want a waterbirth, per say... I want a water labor. I agree about just not being into the water when baby actually comes... but during labor I can see the relaxation it brings helping a ton.

I still call it a waterbirth though, even with my plans of not actually being IN the water when she comes.

[laughymama]

No waterbirth for me.

I don't take baths often, I like showers. Being in the water doesn't relax me..it just feels like an inconvenience since I know I'll have to get out and dry off, put dry clothes back on..etc. Maybe I'm just lazy.

I'll use my bathtub if I want to labor in the water for a bit but we won't be renting a pool or anything.

[Juvysen]

I used hypnobabies this last time and honestly had not expected to use the birth tub. The other two times, I had *wanted* to give birth in water, and while I did labor in the water, i gave birth on dry land. Hypnobabies was AWESOME, but I'm really glad I had the tub for the actual birthing (I was only in it for 10 minutes). My baby was 9 lbs 8oz (a pound bigger than my next biggest baby) and I think the water made it possible for me to relax through the pushing phase and birth the baby quickly and without tearing. Like I said, though, I was only in there for about 10 minutes and of course, it could have gone exactly the same way on land.

So basically, I didn't think i'd want/need the water but I was glad it was there.

[liberal_chick]

My midwife doesn't "do" water births, so I don't really have the option. (She's never come out and directly said it, but in talking to her I think I've decided she doesn't know how to gauge blood loss in the water.)

I did labor in the water, though, and got out after pushing for a few minutes. Ds was eventually born in the bed. I liked the water for labor and probably would've delivered there if my MW was open to it.

[Baby_Cakes]

I was the same way when I was pg w/DD. Water and me just do not mix. I don't like getting my face wet, I hate when my hair gets wet. I'm one of those people who don't like to go swimming b/c of both of those reasons. I don't take baths, I take fast 10 min showers and thats all I can deal with. I hate being pruney.

I didn't miss not being in water at all for her labor and birth. It didn't dawn on me even once to get in water. I labored over a birth ball and mostly on the toilet.

I think next time I might do the water labor but only for pain management/comfort. I think feeling weightless might be nice. It was hard to be on my hands and knees even over a birth ball for so many hours. My legs went numb and I absolutely hated that sensation. I couldn't stand to get feeling back in my legs bc of the contrax and it was pretty awful. The worst part of my labor was that my legs were asleep and I couldn't get feeling back. I think maybe being able to move in the water might help (though it might not, who knows?)...

But birthing in water has no appeal to me. I don't think you're selling yourself short on anything if you choose not to have the option available. Definitely do what you want -- it's your birth day!

good luck, mama!

[Annoia]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

I don't like getting my face wet, I hate when my hair gets wet. I'm one of those people who don't like to go swimming b/c of both of those reasons. I don't take baths, I take fast 10 min showers and thats all I can deal with. I hate being pruney.

Oh, that is me. The thought of a waterbirth -

Plus, I like to feel very grounded during labor and delivery. I don't know if that makes sense, but I need something solid underneath me, or something solid to grab on to. Some terra firma. Probably bc I go into such an altered state of consciousness during labor.

[CherryBomb]

I don't think it's weird to not want a water birth. I mean really, it's not "natural" for land mammals to go into water to give birth, so I don't think it's surprising that many women don't feel a need to birth there. Dd2 was supposed to be a hbac (though we had to transfer) and I had a big birth pool set up. I was in labor for days and I think I spent way too much time in the tub (which probably didn't help with my stalled labor) and the tub started to reek, ick. Dd3 was a hospital vba2c and I stayed at home most of the labor, I did like taking hot showers/baths in my tub. Even if I did birth at a place where waterbirth was an option, I wouldn't take it.

[Galatea]

I don't want one. I didn't with any of my other kids. One reason was I think it would take longer to fill the pool than my labors last, two that I also dislike getting my face and hair wet, and three, I prefer being on all fours and it would be hard to do that in the pool.

[donutmolly]

Whew! Glad I'm not the only one! I've had 3 non-water births/labors and been just fine. I'm so glad that water helps so many mamas, but I occasionally feel like I must be missing out on something since I have no desire for a pool in my house during labor. I'm a total water girl, love swimming, showers, baths, but do not want to think about a massive tub in my space during labor. Just me. And all of my labors have been awesome... so no regrets!

[St. Margaret]

Originally Posted by Annoia

Oh, that is me. The thought of a waterbirth -

Plus, I like to feel very grounded during labor and delivery. I don't know if that makes sense, but I need something solid underneath me, or something solid to grab on to. Some terra firma. Probably bc I go into such an altered state of consciousness during labor.

Like whatever Greek god or whoever had to be touching the ground or have full strength... yeah, that connection.

Yeah for not being oddballs, donutmolly! Cool, earth-birthers tribe!