What do you mean exactly by waterbirth?

[Treemore]

I am planning a homebirth. I am 28 weeks and everything is going great so far, this is my first baby. I have read everyone's account of birthing at home and am wondering what exactly do you mean by waterbirth? Do you have the baby in the tub? Or do you rent an aqua doula? I looked up their website and it seems to me like the tub is really small. Could I please get suggestions, what felt good etc... during your homebirth. I am feeling undecided at this point and may go to the birthing center which is attached to the hospital. My MW asked me where I feel the safest and I really don't know, I haven't ever given birth before and the whole process seems sort of daunting!! Comments suggestions are welcome...

[amandajf]

My MW used a 2 foot tall 5 feet in diameter inflatable pool with an inflatable bottom. It was only $20, we set it up on our screened in back porch and I gave birth in there.. it is inflatable so if I wanted to push my legs straight i could na dit was sturdey enough for me to lean over the side on my knees. Go for home honey.. you give birth, shower and sleep in your OWN bed...

[melamama]

You could check out this website Waterbirth International

I had a home waterbirth with my dd. I labored in the tub for pain relief (back labor) and she was born in the water. The tub is the basic version pictured on the waterbirth site. I am 6' tall and there was enough room to be under the water, move around, and for my dh to get into the tub with me and be next to me as my dd was born.

My dh and I felt like we had majored in birth by the time our dd was born, we read everything we could get our hands on. The waterbirth site has a page of "useful links" that has quite a bit of info on waterbirth, including journal articles and other references. You can also go to amazon and look for books by Michel Odent. Maybe also pick up a copy of Spiritual Midwifery, not about waterbirth, but natural childbirth. Written in the 70's, but so inspiring and empowering. It may help clarify where you will feel the safest.

Good luck.

[Gagesmom]

I labored in and out of water with my 1st one. The water was so soothing for me, and I wish I had had a bigger, deeper tub to be in. During hard labor and transition, I had to be out of the water because all I had was a bathtub...and I needed to be up and walking-couldn't sit or lay back because of tremendous pressure in my rectum as baby moved down. If I had had a deeper pool I could have been on my knees and still have been submerged. I did have my son in the tub, once he got low we moved to the tub for crowning/birth, I wanted the benefit of the counter-pressure from the water to help prevent tearing (no tears). This time (I'm 36 wks) we are renting an Aquadoula. Best of luck to you.
Oh, by the way, I had 1st one at a natural birth center, not affiliated with a hospital but about 5 mn away from one just in case. I didn't feel comfortable with having a home birth my 1st time. However, this time we'll be at home. I know what to expect, I don't forsee any problems (healthy pregnancy, etc), and I don't ever want to have to drive for 1/2 an hour in traffic while in labor again!! Just be sure that if you have babe at the birth center that they will respect your wishes and not give you an intervention-filled birth. A lot of birth centers affiliated with hospitals are just pleasantly decorated maternity wards.

[MelKnee]

I used an aqua doula. It was very roomy. My dh even got in with me for a while to push on my lower back. And we are both big people.

I honestly don't think I could have managed a drug-free birth in the hospital. I needed absolute silence to manage the contractions. My midwife was able to give that to me, but I doubt an L&D staff could. There are so many things you do not have control of in a hospital or birth center. At home, you are the boss. My MW and I both thought of her as a life guard. Just there to observe and watch for anything out of the ordinary. And ready to jump in if there was a problem.

Wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy and birth.

[cottonwood]

We twice used a water trough from a farm supply store. Downside: if you want a waterbirth *and* want someone else to catch the baby, you may be limited in positions you can birth in (because the tub is deep, obviously the attendant has to be able to reach to catch.) Also, the plastic is hard and not very comfortable to rest against. Upside: the tub is very deep so you can submerge your whole body -- nice, especially for back labor. The deepness also creates a feeling of being protected from others' stares, and if you're modest, this is a nice respite from your body (and yoni) being the visual focus.

[jenj]

waterbirth

I recently birthed our third son in the "garden tub" at our local birthing center. My dh sat behind me. The warm water felt great. As soon as his body was out, we pulled him up into my arms. His eyes were open and looking into mine! I finally had a birth my way. Dh would not go for a homebirth, and I did not want a hospital birth. It was a nice in between. We arrived an hour before his birth and we're home 5 hours later.

My first two births with my ds's were in a hospital with midwives. There was limited monitoring, and a shower for comfort. I had a small hemorrage after no.1, where the staff flipped out. All of a sudden I had an IV in my hand and a shot in my thigh. I have permanent nerve damage to my thigh. The nurse in her rush gave me the injection in the wrong place. The mw said the pain was my imagination and would only last for the 6 week recovery period. It's been 6 years. But I also had no episiotomy and ds was allowed to stay with me for his first hour before being taken to the nursery for assessment. He came back and forth for the next 48 hours.

My second birth, same hospital and practice. Everything was great except this mw tugged the cord, the placenta was therefore destroyed. Three months later, after sudden cramping a piece of leftover placenta surprised me one morning!
No episiotomy or tear this time either.

My most recent birth, hardly any monitoring, no iv, just total support in what we wanted it to be like. I'm amazed that I delivered a nine+ pound baby with no tearing........but that must have been the water's doing.

[indigofamily]

Waterbirth is so much nicer! I had my first ds the hard way-in the hospital, too much medication, too many needles-it wasn't pleasant. My 2nd dd was born at a birthing center with a midwife and doula - in a nice size roman tub- It was great for pain relief-I did this one natural and had a much easier time. The birthing center was small and cozy but also well equipped in case of complications. A great added bonus for me was no episiotamy the 2nd time. Soaking in the water helps your skin soften and I didn't even get a tear! After being cut open with the 1st, this was a great change of pace! I would recommend water to anyone who possibly can. Even a warm shower during labor is better than nothing. Best wishes!

[spyiispy]

We're having our little girl at a freestanding birth center, attended by a midwife, quite possibly in one of their beautiful birthing tubs. Ahhhhh, the tub feels soo good when you're in labor. With my first labor, I did have a jacuzzi tub to use in the hospital and got the urge to push while in the tub. When I told the L&D nurse I wanted to have him right there.....she got me outta that tub and into bed so fast, I thought her head was gonna spin around 360 degrees. I should've been more insistent......but I digress....

With this one....as I said before, if I wanted an Elvis impersonator gyrating around the room....it'd be no problem. Total and complete freedom to birth the way I want to is very comforting and relaxing. I think this birth center is an exception though, and as a rule, homebirth is most likely the place where you'll be supported in that decision. I completely agree with the post that described most hospital "birthing centers" as nicely decorated maternity wards. Do your homework....go check it out and ask TONS of questions. If you feel at all uneasy......homebirth it, baby!

Lisa

[EmmaJean]

I loved the water. We used this tub aquarius pool, and it was so comfy. You can get it for MUCH less at Toys r us. I wasn't able to birth in there, but labored on and off, much like a previous post talked about.

I just wanted to say that it's so easy to doubt yourself and your decisions about birth when everyone around may not be supportive, or maybe they are supportive but you doubt yourself. I think it's *wonderful* that you have several options (or at least two!) that you feel comfortable with. If you're asking for opinions, I'd say start at home and see how you feel and if your needs are being met or you are just feeling really fearful. I'm thinking that once you're home, able to eat, drink, move, bathe, whatever, without judgement but in the safety and comfort of your home, husband, and midwife...you'll love it! But if you're not, tell your support people, see if things can be handled differently at home or see if you'd feel better somewhere else.

Blessings on your decision,
Emily

[starwater]

we bought a baby pool from ames for $30. it worked great!