Did anyone have a water birth?

[karinothing]

I can't remember. My birth center offers them now (they didn't with DS), I am leaning towards no, but was just wondering if anyone had any experiance. Thanks!

[namasteak]

I attempted one but was so tired when it came time to push I had to lie down. I did spend almost my entire labor in the tub though.

Any questions?

[cmarie11]

I didn't deliver in the tub (not allowed at my hospital), but was in the tub until 10 mins before DD was born. I thought it definetly helped.

[karinothing]

Yeah, I was in the tub until I started pushing for DS and I really enjoyed. I think for sure I want to do that again. I pushed on my hands and knees last time, which seems somewaht more uncomfortable in a tub (than on a bed). I guess just the pushing part seems more difficult in water.

I also have concerns re: access to baby, although I know the midwives will have me out of that water immediately if they sense something off.

[turtlegirl]

My SIL just gave birth in a tub at a birth center about 2 months ago. She said the water definitely helped. But apparently she had a really short umbilical cord and they couldn't pull him up enough onto her chest to get the baby above the water level. So they had to pull her out of the tub and help her waddle a few feet over to the bed in order for her to lay down and deliver the placenta, cut the cord, etc. Which she said was horrible and really hard because her legs were super weak after being in the tub and pushing for an hour.

[sillygoosegirl]

I gave birth at a water birth center, and intended to give birth in the water, but when the time came, I was really bothered by how slippery it was and didn't want to be in the tub, so I got out and had the baby on the torture stool instead. I wish that hadn't been the case though. Giving birth in the warm water helps a lot with tearing, which was by far the worst part of the recovery for me. Do you have to decide ahead of time?

[whitemerlot]

I labored in the tub briefly, but also wanted to be out to push. I didn't like the tub very much.

[kams]

I couldn't deliver in the tub at my hospital, but labored in it at home & when I arrived at the hospital. It was very soothing for me, and was my only pain management strategy. I felt the urge to push, so they got me out for intermittent monitoring. I was a 10, they broke my water, and she (#2) was delivered 25 min later.

[luckyno7]

My GF had 2 water births and loved it.

[karinothing]

May 22, 2015 15:11:51 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

I gave birth at a water birth center, and intended to give birth in the water, but when the time came, I was really bothered by how slippery it was and didn't want to be in the tub, so I got out and had the baby on the torture stool instead. I wish that hadn't been the case though. Giving birth in the warm water helps a lot with tearing, which was by far the worst part of the recovery for me. Do you have to decide ahead of time?

Nope, it can be a game day decision. Although I liked to labor in teh hot tub, and they don't like to do births there (too deep and akward for midwives to get close to mom and baby). So, you have to switch tubs or labor in a different tub (and I want the hot tub lol).

[frlcb]

I did, and it definitely helped my pain...but the pain f-ing sucked regardless, lol. I would do it again though

[Deleted]

Yes I had DS2 in a tub at a hospital. It was great. Huge tub, they had fancy lights in the room so it was really dim while I was labouring in it and there was this great step/platform deal into the tub. DH sat on it and held my arms during contractions.

I've had three unmedicated births and the water birth was probably the least painful one.

[underwaterrhymes]

The tub was fine until my water broke.

Then I wanted the epi. I was in labor for another 12 hours after that (and my contractions STARTED at two minutes apart, lasting a minute and thirty seconds each), so I can't imagine spending all that time in the water.

No thank you.

[stacyb1983]

I did with DS. I labored unmedicated and the tub was the only thing between me and my sanity.

With DD I had an epidural and it was awesome.

Bottom line if you plan to go drug free the tub can help sooth some of the pain. It's still child birth so it's gonna hurt like hell tub or no tub.

Edit: DS was born in the water.

[anna7602]

May 22, 2015 15:08:58 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

So I'm the only person that got into the tub and was like, "WTF is this bullshit, I thought it was supposed to help?! I want an epi!!!!"

?

I noticed no difference in pain in contractions between tub or not tub. Then again, I went through transition in the tub, maybe it would have been worse if I wasn't there.

I also went through transition in the tub and it felt awful. I felt so out of control, like I was trapped in there, and I felt really cold and then really hot and I couldn't figure out if it was the water.

Transition was no fun the 2nd time, either, but I wasn't in a tub and I didn't feel the really cold/really hot thing. I just had teeth chattering then.

[Deleted]

May 22, 2015 15:08:58 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

So I'm the only person that got into the tub and was like, "WTF is this bullshit, I thought it was supposed to help?! I want an epi!!!!"

?

I noticed no difference in pain in contractions between tub or not tub. Then again, I went through transition in the tub, maybe it would have been worse if I wasn't there.

Me too. I was probably in transition or close to it when I went into the tub. I was home and wanted to drown myself. And then I looked crazy on the way to the hospital because I was half wet and in pj's.

But if it worked for you the first time @karinnothing I would totally do it.

[mrshandy]

May 22, 2015 15:06:44 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Yeah, I was in the tub until I started pushing for DS and I really enjoyed. I think for sure I want to do that again. I pushed on my hands and knees last time, which seems somewaht more uncomfortable in a tub (than on a bed). I guess just the pushing part seems more difficult in water.

I also have concerns re: access to baby, although I know the midwives will have me out of that water immediately if they sense something off.

I was in the tub for a while and got out and got checked. I was ready to push, but wanted to be on my hands and knees and the water was kind of high and it was a little slippery. So I got on the bed and pushed her out on the bed.

Apparently they are more lax about water births at home. But I guess they'll do them at the center now too.

Part of me wishes I would have tried a water birth, but it worked just fine on the bed and it's kind of neat that DD was born on our bed.

[karinothing]

May 22, 2015 17:14:00 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

May 22, 2015 15:08:58 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

So I'm the only person that got into the tub and was like, "WTF is this bullshit, I thought it was supposed to help?! I want an epi!!!!"

?

I noticed no difference in pain in contractions between tub or not tub. Then again, I went through transition in the tub, maybe it would have been worse if I wasn't there.

I also went through transition in the tub and it felt awful. I felt so out of control, like I was trapped in there, and I felt really cold and then really hot and I couldn't figure out if it was the water.

Transition was no fun the 2nd time, either, but I wasn't in a tub and I didn't feel the really cold/really hot thing. I just had teeth chattering then.

Interesting (I think the teeth chattering is adrenaline). I don't think I would like laboring in a regular tub. This was like a 6 person hot tub, so it is bigger, but I think I wuold feel claustrophobic in a smaller tub.

ETA: Actually I remember finding no relief from my home tub or shower. But then again, not jets lol.

[missbella]

I did not have a water birth because it was not allowed at my hospital but I would definitely consider it if it was a possibility. I got in the tub at 4.5 centimeters and went through transition and started involuntarily pushing in the tub in less than an hour. Then I had to get out and the midwives thought he was going to come fast because he made a lot of progress in those few pushes in the tub but then my contractions became not as effective/ I wasn't working with them well and I pushed for over 3 hours. I kind of wonder what would have happened if I stayed in the tub.

[curbsideprophet]

With DD I labored/pushed in the birth pool for about an hour. We decided to change things up for a bit. At one point they asked if I wanted to get back in. I felt pushing was more effective out of the water so I said no. I did find that the water brought some relief.

With DS the end of my labor progressed quickly. I was checked on arrival and was at 5-6 cm. I needed antibiotics for GBS and the pool needed to be set up. I got in basically as soon as I could. I was in the pool for about six minutes and he was here. It was less than hour from when they checked me. Pushing was much easier the second time around.

[karinothing]

May 22, 2015 19:57:57 GMT -5 @mrsbecky said:

A friend of mine was a water birth LOL. Her mom says it was the most awesome experience ever ha.


I still vote koi pond though.

Well the fish would be helpful as birth assistants!

[mannah]

I did not deliver in the tub but did find huge relief with the warm water during labor. The tub and shower were great.

[doctorsbaby]

I did a water birth at home. DH was able to be in the tub with me, so we was supporting my back and I was more squatting in the tub with his help. I had to get out for a few pushes (stuck in my pubic bone) and immediately wanted back in because it felt so much better.

[mrsGreeko]

My second was born in the water (biggest baby, least (no) tearing for me).

My third would have been born in the water except he started having major decelerations do they needed him out ASAP. He was born next to the tub on a birthing stool. Turns out the little guy was sunny side up!

I loved having DD2 in the water. I found her birth the most relaxed of my 3 (all natural, one hospital, 2 birth center) and as far as damage to me there was none, which was a big plus.