Water Birth

[mommy2be2011]

Here lately, i've been toying with the idea of having a water birth. This will be my first child, so i'm still not sure what to expect. other then well, pain. I want to try and have no epidural and have my daughter natural. So i was just wondering how many of you that have had both water births and natural, which was the better experience? I haven't heard too much on water birthing, but i have read a story that makes me considered this even more. Any comments, or storys would be wonderful =]

[Italiamom]

I would recommend the book 'Ina May's Guide To Childbirth,' by Ina May Gaskin.  It has a lot of wonderful birth stories in it (including water births, and the use of a tub for pain management), as well as a ton of great info.  Also, the movie 'Orgasmic Birth' has a few really beautiful water births (the title is a bit misleading, but it's a fantastic film).  You can lookup "waterbirth" on Youtube, and there are lots of great videos.  I think this one is one of my favorites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niJ6F2p9Ql8

A water birth IS considered a natural birth, in that you can't really give birth in the water with pain meds or an epidural.  Some women just labor in a birth tub (like me), and some women choose to stay in and give birth there (a waterbirth).  And a waterbirth can't really be medicated, so it's a natural birth too!

For me, the birth tub was invaluable in handling my contractions during the harder parts of my labor.  I will absolutely have a tub again for the birth of my second!  Giving birth in the water is a really wonderful, gentle way to bring a baby into the world.  And birth tubs are great for managing pain during labor, even if you decide to just labor there and then push and birth on dry land.

For my story, I had planned to give birth to my son in the birth tub.  I got in when my labor was pretty well established, and it was tremendously helpful in dealing with the pain.  I got out a few times to go to the bathroom, or to try standing, and those "on land" contractions were SO much harder to handle!  But when I actually started to feel like pushing, I decided I wanted to get out.  I just felt that I needed gravity, and I wanted to do what my body was telling me!

I think that doing whatever feels best to YOU in labor is what you should plan on.  You might want to just labor in the tub, you might want to stay in for pushing and birth, or you might have no desire to use them at all.  Trust and listen to your body, and that's the best course of action!  But I wouldn't try for a natural birth without having a tub available.  It was, I'll say it again, invaluable for making it through my own labor naturally.  Best of luck to you mama, and welcome to MDC!

[janneyk]

My aunt was seriously considering a waterbirth as well. She decided to do a home birth instead...quite odd if you ask me. She actually gave birth in her own bed!

[motherhendoula]

I had a close experience as ItaliaMom did - TWICE!   my first was 16 yrs ago in a FSBC - they had a beautiful HUGE tub....it was SO amazing - but when i got to 10 cm - i couldnt figure out how to push.....so my midwife got me onto dry land and tried about 10 different positions until i finally felt what i was doing....i SHOULD have moved back to the water at that point...as it took another hour to push that baby out.....but i stayed where i was instead.  That first baby was a loooooong labor and having a tub, a shower, a rocking chair, a bed, a shady parking lot to walk around in...etc..etc... all just useful tools in the arsenal!  You really cant have too many ways to make a Mom more comfortable in labor.  With my third - i had a home birth in a rented tub and this time i just felt like getting up...i felt hot and i wanted to get out - next thing i know - i have grabbed the back of a chair and the babys' head is crowning.   So its perfectly OK to want the tub and then not to give birth in it.....I dont think ill be having a 4th - but if i did ...i would hire a labor doula for the express purpose of FORCING me to stay in the water to push! 

[mcqueen]

I have had a birth with drugs in a hospital and a water birth at home with a midwife. And I would go with home birth in water again. The active labour was the most painful experience ever but once I got into the pool it was amazing how the pain sort of went away and I was able to focus on controlling my pushing myself! I didn't labour in the pool because my midwives were not there yet and told my husband to keep me out of it until they got there. My labour started at 7pm, filled the pool at 7:45, got in at 8:25 and had my baby boy at 8:43! I can go on and on about my experience! Ask and I will tell! :)

[Italiamom]

Originally Posted by janneyk 

My aunt was seriously considering a waterbirth as well. She decided to do a home birth instead...quite odd if you ask me. She actually gave birth in her own bed!

Oh honey, on these boards, homebirth is anything BUT odd.  Home, in your own bed, is a wonderful and perfectly acceptable place to have a baby!  A LOT of homebirth mamas on these boards have birthing tubs.  My birthing tub will be set up in my living room for my upcoming birth in August.  Just so the original poster knows, you can have a waterbirth pretty much anywhere!  And it's totally normal to have one at home!!
 

[BeckyBird]

Both of my births were natural, and I labored in a tub both times. I got out of the tub and delivered on the bed with my son. With my daughter, I labored and delivered in the tub. Both times, the warm water was so amazing and relaxing. With my daughter, I did not plan to have a waterbirth, but during the pushing stage, I was doing so well that I didn't want to ruin anything by getting out of the tub.

You should definitely read and watch videos about natural births. They will be very encouraging throughout your pregnancy.

[yaboobarb]

I have had three- my two labors in the tubs were INFINITELY better. My second I only had a big claw tub and that was NOT the same! I got out of the tub and used a birth ball to lay across. Agony on my knees.

It was easy  in the birth tub to take any position, and also to go into a deep rocking squat which I liked.

My advice- give yourself the gift of having it! It is worth any $$.  :)

Also- for my first child I did not make a video. If I could do it over- I would want it. You can take the video and NEVER show anyone-- But I am sure that you will be glad to have it!!

[XanaduMama]

I had a land birth in the hospital (pitocin augmented, otherwise unmedicated) with #1 and a home waterbirth with #2. I cannot tell you what a difference it made to (a) be at home, and (b) labor and birth in the water!! Like night and day. The water provided incredible pain relief--at one point, during transition, I caught myself arching up out of the the water at the peak of contractions, until I realized that the bits of me that were out of the water hurt WAY more. It really does help the pain so much. It also made it much, much easier to find a comfortable position, especially for pushing, and it also helps reduce tearing (both because of the effect of the warm water on your perineum, and because it helps you birth in an optimal position). And yes--we have a video of dd's birth (which we weren't "allowed" to do with ds), which alone made it all worthwhile.

I agree with PPs: give yourself the option of having a birth pool. You don't have to use it if you don't feel like it, on the day. But it really can make an enormous difference!

Feel free to PM me if you want to hear more. I too can't rave enough about my blissful waterbirth experience--I'll never labor or birth any other way again!