When having a waterbirth...

[rmzbm]

do you check the temp. or the water, or just make it comfy & not worry? I was just thinking about this for some reason...I don't think I could be comfy laboring in water that wasn't pretty darn warm. Is that a problem?

[aniT]

:

I never think of this question when my midwives are around. Is there such a thing as too hot?

[pamamidwife]

I always say whatever feels good to mom works.

When the water is too hot, mom gets overheated and her pulse races. She essentially will not feel good, and baby's heart rate, in turn, increases. It's not BAD per se, but over time it does exhaust both.

I've also seen moms birth in cooler water (like under 90')

[umami_mommy]

yes, the water should not be hotter than 99* F.

here's a good article about waterbirth:

http://www.birthbalance.com/articles/aquadurals.shtml

[mama_at_home]

We kept a thermometer in the water. My mw said the temp should be betwen 97-99 degrees when the baby is born, if I remember correctly. I liked it as hot as possible because it was most soothing that way, but I had to keep cold wash cloths on my head because I was sweating.

[twogreencars]

I was told between 99 and 101F. The higher end 100-101 seems to hot for me...But my understanding was it had to be "body Temperature" - ie. around 99.

[rmzbm]

Thanks! Good to know I don't have to shiver me booty!

[huggerwocky]

My water was over 100 Degrees, I like it HOT. I only know it because towards the end the midwife checked the water temperature when we added some more and I just happened to be in between contractions and saw what it said. Apparently it wasn't a problem though, she didn't say we should add cold water.

[littlelambs]

we bought a thermometer just in case. my MW has cautined about having water too too hot, but mostly has said that i will know what feels best for me when the time comes, and most likely that will be fine for baby too. when i come to think about it, if i've just been on a run or excercising and i'm all hot from "working" my body, i don't want a hot shower or bath, i want something cooler at first...so i'm not sure how i will feel when the time comes. i LOVE hot showers and baths anytime i am not working out though...so we'll see! i do forsee me having cool cloths and a large cup of ice water next to the pool though!

[kerikadi]

I had two waterbirths at home and just went with what felt good. We don't have a thermometer but it is possible my MW felt the water at some point and would have adjusted it if she felt necessary.

Keri

[theelfqueen]

I had an aquadoula (which has heating elements) and it had a floating thermometer... It was just warm not hot (and I take my showers/baths HOT but it was very comfortable and helpful), and I have no idea what the temp was, as I looked at it a few times when we set it up and filled it (a week or so before the birth) then never again.

[BennyPai]

I used an aquadoula, too. It maintained the water temperature, which was checked by a floating thermometer as well. I love HOT showers & baths, but as I moved into the final stage of labor, the water temperature was more than sufficient! I was so thankful my doula thought to put a cold cloth on my forehead & tie my hair up for me!

[laohaire]

Mine was at 99 degrees, and it was perfect until I was pushing. Then it was too hot! But I did NOT want to get out... so I stayed in. I was in laborland so I don't think I asked anyone to turn off the water heater or dump cold water in... I did ask for cool cloths though.

[sea_joy]

Just not too cold

If there's a significant temperature change, it may cause the baby to take a breath under water, which is the only concern with a water birth, so if the water feels comfy to you, it'll feel comfy to babe too.
Crystal