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FTM and a water birth?

yvonka.rowyvonka.row
in 3rd Trimester

I was curious if anyone here has experienced a water birth and if so could you let me know what you thought?  Or if you are a FTM like me thinking about it, can you let me know why?  

The good, bad, and the ugly is fine with me!


Thanks!
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Re: FTM and a water birth?

  • funkymonkeyohyeahhhfunkymonkeyohyeahhh member

    The "Natural Birth" board would be a great resource on this. There are several people there who have had water births and have lots of information.

    I'm a FTM planning a water birth (in a hospital with an OB). It appeals to me because water is said to be a great pain reliever, I can birth in whatever position I feel comfortable with, I won't have to wear the monitors constantly and it's said to help with tearing.

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  • Sawyerplus1Sawyerplus1 member

    I had a water birth with DS (#1) and it was a great experience! I knew I wanted a med-free birth and had chosen to birth with MWs at a birth center where water birth was an option (and an epi was not).  I had a very long first labor so by the time I got into the birth tub it was about hour 21, and I was 6-8 cms. The water felt amazing! (I remember telling DH to write down how amazing it felt, so I'd remember.)

    The heat alleviated a lot of discomfort and pain, the weightlessness felt wonderful after feeling so heavily pregnant for so long, i was able to move around freely to change positions and work through contractions as needed, and DH was able to be positioned as I needed him (b/c I could move around within the tub and DH could move around the outside of the tub, he could be beside me, behind me, or in front of me). 

    I ended up staying in the tub for 9 hours; once I was in there was no getting out for me! If the water cooled down, we'd drain some and refill it with hot. I delivered in the tub too, and it allowed me to squat on the side of the tub, with DH in front supporting me. Overall it was a great experience and I can't wait to do it again this time! (DD was a hospital birth where it wasn't an option, but I'm back at a birth center again)

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  • erb82erb82 member
    I didn't have a water birth with DD, but I labored most of the time in the tub.  It's great for pain relief and relaxation.  If you're looking for non-medicated coping techniques, I highly recommend it.  I would totally, totally have a water birth if my OB/hospital allowed it.
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  • mikeandcristinamikeandcristina member

    I haven't done it myself, but I have a good friend who has used water birth to have both of her boys, and she swears by it.

    I'm also a FTM, and would be doing water if our hospital offered it! I don't think it's anything to be scared of - I wish it was offered because a natural (bed) birth terrifies me, but for some reason I'm not scared about a natural water birth...

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  • mkflower3000mkflower3000 member
    FTM like you and definitely hoping to have one as long as everything goes according to plan! I've just heard good stories from friends who used the tub + I really like having it as an option. It makes a lot of sense to me that the feeling of warmth and buoyancy would reduce pain and make me a lot more comfortable. I'm excited to see what it's actually like!
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  • Jessica1977Jessica1977

    imageerb82:
    I didn't have a water birth with DD, but I labored most of the time in the tub.  It's great for pain relief and relaxation.  If you're looking for non-medicated coping techniques, I highly recommend it.  I would totally, totally have a water birth if my OB/hospital allowed it.

    All of this - my MW would love it if our hospital would allow the actual birth to happen in the water but I am able to labour in the tub (as I did with DS) and I plan on doing that again.  I would HIGHLY recommend it!

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  • ShelbyBrayShelbyBray member

    My SIL had an at home (the hospital was less than a mile from her home) water birth with her 4th and out of her 5 she feels that it was the bast experience of them all. The warm water worked great as a pain relief and she felt that overall the experience was more relaxing and calm being at home.

    Now, as a FTM, I don't think I would feel comfortable doing an at home water birth- but I'm a big worrier about what could go wrong so maybe my personality wouldn't make me a great candidate for an at home birth. However after hearing about her experience, I was really wanting to have a water birth. Whenever I am having a rough day and feeling really achy (which is pretty much every day now and sometimes multiple times) I jump in the bath or shower for pain relief and just to help me relax. Unfortunately the 2 hospitals that I have the options of delivering at don't have birthing tubs. :(  So I plan on using the shower as much as possible but if I had the option to use a birthing tub I would be all over it. 

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  • AnaKat405AnaKat405
    I'm birthing at home and plan to have a tub available for laboring but am not sure how I feel about birthing in it.  I suppose I can decide when the time comes.
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  • yvonka.rowyvonka.row
    Thanks ladies for all the feedback.  Since it's my first time I am keeping an open mind but water birth sounds a little more inviting then on the bed.  We will be at the hospital.  Kudos to those moms that give birth at home.  I am not sure I could do that.  Good luck to all you mommies and thanks for the input!
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