Waterbirth outside?

[Galatea]

My 3rd birth was a very peaceful homebirth, on my living room floor.

I have a vision for my 4th birth - that I have a waterbirth outside on my property (very secluded.) I am due at the end of September so there is a good chance that the weather will be nice. I figure I can get a fishy pool and run a hose out the kitchen window to fill it with warm water. Then draining it should be easy b/c the water can just be dumped onto the ground outside.

Anyone done this or have any feedback?

[MegBoz]

A couple in the movie 'orgasmic birth' had their baby on their back deck. (not water birth though.) I thought it seemed awesome! I would totally do it too if our yard were secluded (it's definitely not!)

[Galatea]

What temperature outside do you think is a minimum temperature? September can be so changeable.

[cocoanib]

Originally Posted by Galatea

What temperature outside do you think is a minimum temperature? September can be so changeable.

I'm not sure about temps, but birthing outside in water sounds amazing.
I wished that I lived in a secluded are to labor outside, but I never thought about the water part.

[momasana]

I think it sounds lovely! Do you have an area that can be well-lit if you happen to deliver in the middle of the night?

I think you should totally go for it, just keep a good back-up plan in case the weather doesn't cooperate.

[MegBoz]

Hm, minimum temp, maybe mid-70s?
Just thought of something though - in Sept it'll get much colder at night. So if you set up the birth pool outside during the day & the temp is good, you may have to worry about the temp dropping later into the night if you don't give birth until long after sunset. Hm, logistical problem there.

I wouldn't worry too much about light though - don't many women like their birth indoors to be dark? If a flashlight is sufficient for the MW to keep an eye on things indoors, I would think it would be sufficient outdoors too.

[ashleybrook]

sounds dreamy to me!

[echospiritwarrior]

my second was born October 10th (almost three years ago *sniff*) outside on our patio at about 6am. It was wonderful looking up at the stars but I do live in a warmer climate.

I doubt I'll be so lucky this time around with a Feb baby... but you never know!

[Galatea]

Well, my MW is fine with it. She says she will just hustle us inside afterwards if it is not warm enough. I got my La Bassine yesterday and blew it up, so it is fine. I need to buy a few tarps to protect it from the patio pavers.

[Phoenix~Mama]

I really would love to waterbirth outside! I have been thinking about it all summer long. lol But alas, I am not due until the end of Oct./early Nov. and I know it will be far too chilly out then.

Let us know how it goes for you!

[Galatea]

Now dh is saying he doesn't want to do it b/c it will involve me going downstairs and outside and he thinks I will get stuck halfway or something and have the baby on the steps. I think he is just tense in general about this new unplanned baby and all its disruptions, so I'm going to do it anyway.

[almadianna]

ohh steps...

I might not be ok with steps while in labor, but if you are then go for it!

[lovebeingamomma]

Originally Posted by Galatea

Now dh is saying he doesn't want to do it b/c it will involve me going downstairs and outside and he thinks I will get stuck halfway or something and have the baby on the steps. I think he is just tense in general about this new unplanned baby and all its disruptions, so I'm going to do it anyway.

good I would do it anyway

[mija y mijo]

A waterbirth outside sounds amazing!!! I hope the weather cooperates for you!

[Galatea]

We'll see about the weather. Today it is supposed to be in the 60s. Yesterday it was 90. Ah, September. We're not going to do it if it is night, and all my babies came at night/early morning. So we'll see!

[BlackSheepPDX]

That was our plan...the tub was set up on the covered deck, in front of a huge outdoor fireplace, with that deck linked by double doors to our TV room, where we had a mattress. However, my labor was so fast, we never got very far with filling the tub, and I birthed in the TV room. As far as coming downstairs, I went through early labor in my bed, upstairs, and came downstairs after my water broke and hard labor started. That move happened less than an hour before birth. I intended to birth in the tub day or night, but I'm pretty warm blooded.