water birth

mb314

I plan on birthing in a hospital, with my midwife, as I did with DS.  My midwife said that the hospital may start allowing water births in the next few months as part of a trial/study, and I am super excited.  With DS, I got to labor in a tub, but they made me move to a bed when it came time to push.  Leaving the tub was hands down the worst part of my labor - worse than transition.  I tried to hide pushing for as long as I could so I could stay in the water longer.

I'm trying not to get too excited, but I would love to hear about others' experiences with water birth.

headgear03

I have had three. With my first and third I labored in the tub then delivered . With my second I got to the birth center 15 minutes before her arrival so the tub wasnt compleatly full and I was in it for one contractions before she crowned. My fourth labor was a land birth and IMO the most painful, I didnt feel as in as much control over my reactions to the pain as I had during my water births . I love how my body relaxes in the tub and how it takes the edge off the pain.

Lrid12

Im planning on doing a water birth for my first. Others look at me like im crazy when I say so. How did you explain it to friends and family in a way that put them more at ease about it? I am also getting a midwife because of all the wonderful things I've heard about them. Again, friends and family dont know how to react. Most don't know what a midwife is. My father asked me "does that mean you are having the baby in a barn?" I laughed out loud and had to explain it. He still didn't get it exactly. lol

mb314

I found that saying less was usually the best way to go.  When I was pregnant with DS, my family was comfortable with my choice of a midwife once I told them she was a certified nurse midwife affiliated with a well-respected hospital, and that I would give birth in a hospital. I got a lot of negative reactions about my desire to have a natural birth.  Most of my family members made comments about how I'd probably just get an epidural once I began to experience the pain.   I just ignored it. 

They knew I labored in a tub last time. If I am allowed to deliver in the tub, I probably won't tell my family or any of my non-natural birth friends ahead of time.  It's much easier that way.  I'm not having anyone but DH in the room, so they don't need to know.

mghnmouse

Water birth is just the best thing EVER!!! Planned on it for both of mine but it only worked out the second time. I will definitely be planning on it this time though!

rooftop

loved my water birth. will definitly be doing one again when the time comes

Morganhailey

I'm really curious! How does a water birth different from a regular on the bed birth? I love being in water, and it always seems to calm me down and I really love the idea of it! And it seems like everyone recommends it, which I love!! Lol