Water Birth.. Tell me about it!

[Mama4life14]

I'm trying to decide whether or not to do a water birth! I have a lot of time to decide.. Not due until late May. And I plan to do some of my own research, but I'd really like to hear about other Moms experiences! I would be in hospital with midwives.
What exactly are the pro's of a water birth for Mom and baby? Are there any con's?
Was there anything you wished you had done differently?

I really think I would like it! I just don't know the ins and outs. And my husband isn't so sure about it. So I'd like to have some good information to convince him if I think it's right for us!

Thanks

[alaskanmomma]

I had a waterbirth with my son and loved it :) Water can prolong labor, but it's where I just naturally gravitated towards while in active labor. I guess that's really the only con, oh, and they can only have the water be so hot, so at home while I had my normal steamy bath/shower when I labored, once I got to the birth center, they had the water be.. warm at best.. which wasn't my favorite thing in the world, but oh well! I'm planning another waterbirth in April, so I definitely don't think the cons are anything worth not having one!

[Greenlea]

I've had 2 water births and I'm planning my 3rd.  I love them. I get into the water at the beginning of transition and I instantly relax. Laboring is exhausting and I like the feel of floating in the water, its quite calming.

With both births, my babies were born with in an hour of getting in the pool. As long as you don't get in too soon I believe the water can help you to relax so birthing is easier. And I didn't tear with either baby, even though they were 8+ lbs and 9+ lbs.

[ananas]

OP, if your hospital allows it, I would just let them know you're planning on it and then you can always change your mind, y'know? I'm due in a week and my midwives know I am planning a water birth. I will have one of the two water birth rooms at my birth center/hospital, but there's nothing that says I HAVE to get in the tub or stay there, and I'm figuring I will get in and out as I desire.

I'm planning a water birth because I know how soothing water is to me, and I know how much it helps me with pain. I've dealt with terrible periods since I was a young teenager and the ONLY thing that helps at all is being in hot water. I really think I will like it, but like I said, I know if I feel like getting out and laying down or squatting or walking, or whatever, I have that option as well.

[stacyann21]

I can't imagine having the option to get in water during labor and not taking it! For me it was all about comfort and pain relief. I felt too weak to stand most of the time and didn't want to writhe around in bed either, so the jacuzzi was the perfect solution. I think it really helped me to have the drug free birth I wanted. I did get out to deliver because I prefered the baby not actually be born into the water because there is a small risk of aspiration.

[Mama4life14]

Thanks for the replies. I am a bit leery about the water Being warm and not hot. I love hot water. But I know I would have the choice to get in and out as I please. I like the idea of water for pain relief, but I did also read about the risks of aspiration, and I don't know if I want to take that chance. But every time I see a water birth or read about one, it just seems so beautiful. I will talk to my Midwife about my concerns. I spent 2 hours in the shower with my last birth for the pain relief, so I think I would like it. But I could maybe get out to birth like the PP said!

[starrlamia]

aspiration is extremely unlikely!

great website http://www.waterbirth.org/

[Mama4life14]

Thank you very much for that website!! Its made me feel more informed already. I will show it to my husband!

[1babysmom]

I didn't have a planned water birth.  It was our 2nd UC and I just wanted the option, so we filled the bathtub several times during my labor (I got in and out), and he ended up being born in there.  If I was planning one I'd totally fork out the money for a pool though, because while the water was nice, the hard surfaces and limited space was uncomfortable and annoying (well, WHEN I noticed it...I wasn't really focused on that stuff most of the time).

I have to say one thing that surprised me the most was the consistently clear water...I don't think I had seen a waterbirth video that didn't end in dark, bloody water BEFORE the placenta, but mine was clear from the time I broke my water in it, to about 30 minutes after he was born.  My daughter even got in with me after he was out, which thoroughly disgusted my manly husband. LOL  I drained it and squatted in the shower to birth the placenta though.

[Sharlla]

had both DD's in the water and loved it

http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1274487/pandora-moonlillys-amazing-unassisted-birth

http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1367385/nevermore-stargazer-is-finally-here
 

[kristenburgess]

Two of my babies weren't in water and three of them have been water births :)  I am planning another water birth -- to me it is really the way to go.  Having a nice birth tub makes a difference over thinking of something just like a bathtub.  My third was in a "fishie" kiddie pool and my fourth and fifth were in an Aquadoula, and all were such lovely births.

I feel like my babies were calmer and more peaceful after the waterbirths and I know I felt a lot less sore.  After the first two every muscle I had ached, but that was not the case after the last three.  I only wish I'd done something different with number 4... I was worried about getting in the water would "slow things down" because I didn't realize how fast my birthing was going.  So I got in the water (finally) and had him about 20 minutes later!  I wish I'd trusted my body and not worried about the fact that I'd only been dilated to 3cm an hour earlier.  So with #5 I got in as soon as I felt that it was time and was able to really enjoy having the tub for a couple of hours before she was born.  

I have never wanted to get back out after I got in, but that could just be me.  I am looking forward to another lovely water birth :)  I have some pictures with #4 and #5's birth stories here:

http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/galen.html

http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/honor.html

[Cyllya]

I think the main safety concern with water birth is that it can cause trouble for your care provider if something goes wrong for reasons other than the water birth. For example, if you bleed too much, it's not because you're in a tub of water, but the fact that you're in a tub of water may make it difficult for the midwife to tell how much blood you're losing. If you're going to deliver in water, you'll want a care provider who has water birth experience. (Or I guess research waterbirth-specific situations if you're going unassisted.)

[Mama4life14]

1BabysMom! You are too funny! "..which thoroughly disgusted my manly husband." that would be my husband for sure! Whenever I am having a bath my 3 yr old always wants to jump in. I can imagine If I had an at home water birth he would be wanting to jump in!! But my "manly husband" wants to do it in hospital because it's messy. Haha. so my son won't be there! But I'm glad I have the opportunity to do a water birth in the hospital.

Sharlla and KristinBurgess, thank you for the wonderful birth stories, I love reading different birth stories! Especially when water births really work for the Mama's involved! Seems so peaceful when I read about them! Which is the opposite of what my "land birth" was.. I just felt the opposite of relaxed. Always tense and fearing what was going to come next. Luckily I know what to expect this time and I plan on making myself relax a bit more!

Cylla, thanks for the reply, the midwife we have is very familiar with water births! I would feel very comfortable with her.
One of the things I worry about is I wouldn't know if I would be able to catch the baby myself if I deliver in the water. Is it just instinct?? I feel like with my last birth I was so exhausted and just "out of it" from all the pain and pushing that I don't know how I would be able to pull the baby up out of the water. I didn't ask my midwife about it yet. Maybe she would be able to catch the baby and pull them out so I can compose myself to hold him/her. I'm not sure if my hubby would be comfortable doing it. But I'm wondering if the instinct to just grab your baby and pull them out of the water comes naturally.

[erinsuzy]

I will add a word of warning to moms who are looking to give birth in water: Make sure before you choose this option that the hospital or Birthing Center you are doing this at, WILL NOT drain your water at that crucial moment of crowning when baby is coming out! This happened with my first son at a birthing center. It was so nice- up to that point. I found myself wet and freezing in extreme pain and crying in a hard bathtub, butt and back hurting something terrible, right when he was coming out. I ended up tearing and hemorrhaging, and was shaking violently for up to @half an hour afterward from the fierce cold. They drain the tubs at that Center for liability reasons, and it is likely my fault for not asking but I also had no idea it would matter. I found out years later while reading about the natural hormone releases at birth that if your body is very cold, it hinders the release of oxytocin, which assists in pain relief and helps keep the mother from hemorrhaging. It was then that I put two and two together.

* I should also add that the midwife who helped me with my two younger sons told me that they did not have to drain the water, when I asked her about it. She said that  babies can be born in the water just fine as long as they are still connected to the placenta.

Edited by erinsuzy - 3/7/13 at 1:58pm

[Mama4life14]

Originally Posted by erinsuzy 

I will add a word of warning to moms who are looking to give birth in water: Make sure before you choose this option that the hospital or Birthing Center you are doing this at, WILL NOT drain your water at that crucial moment of crowning when baby is coming out! This happened with my first son at a birthing center. It was so nice- up to that point. I found myself wet and freezing in extreme pain and crying in a hard bathtub, butt and back hurting something terrible, right when he was coming out. I ended up tearing and hemorrhaging, and was shaking violently for up to @half an hour afterward from the fierce cold. They drain the tubs at that Center for liability reasons, and it is likely my fault for not asking but I also had no idea it would matter. I found out years later while reading about the natural hormone releases at birth that if your body is very cold, it hinders the release of oxytocin, which assists in pain relief and helps keep the mother from hemorrhaging. It was then that I put two and two together.

* I should also add that the midwife who helped me with my two younger sons told me that they did not have to drain the water, when I asked her about it. She said that  babies can be born in the water just fine as long as they are still connected to the placenta.

Wow! I am sorry that happened to you! That is definitely not a nice experience I'm sure, being cold and wet while baby is crowning. I haven't heard of that happening in the hospital I would be birthing at, but thanks for the heads up

[askins]

I had my DD in the water and it was awesome.   I had had DS on land and really wanted to try the water with DD and I'm so glad I did!

One thing that happened with us is that I scooped DD up at the same time that the midwife was reaching in to move the cord out of the way and the cord broke.  A google search made it seem like this happens a little more often in waterbirths, a lot of times because baby is brought too quickly out of the water and it pulls.  Everything was fine, but I was disappointed because I wanted to let the cord stop pulsing.

[Mama4life14]

Originally Posted by askins 

I had my DD in the water and it was awesome. I had had DS on land and really wanted to try the water with DD and I'm so glad I did! One thing that happened with us is that I scooped DD up at the same time that the midwife was reaching in to move the cord out of the way and the cord broke. A google search made it seem like this happens a little more often in waterbirths, a lot of times because baby is brought too quickly out of the water and it pulls. Everything was fine, but I was disappointed because I wanted to let the cord stop pulsing.

Thanks for letting me know! I'll be sure to ask my midwife about that. I'm not sure who will be catching the baby.. That was one thing I wanted to talk to my MW about. Maybe I'll be sure to let her do what she needs to, as long as instinct doesn't take over and I want the baby out of the water asap.