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I'm due in April but already planning for a water birth- intro

temptresskitten17temptresskitten17
in Natural Birth

Hi, my name is Carly and I'm having my first baby in April. One of the girls in my "month club" suggested I join this board since I'm already set on what I want and I hear you ladies are very supportive and friendly. :) 

I'm one of those ppl who don't really do well in hospitals and the thought of unnecessary medical intervention really upsets me. I've heard nothing but positive stories regarding water birth however, and as I have always been a woman who likes to take control of a situation I feel this would be perfect for me. Ideally I'd even like to deliver at home with a midwife and my DH attending me. This will probably be the only way I CAN have a water birth since I'm not sure if my hospital is waterbirth friendly. I'll be finding out at my next doctor's appointment and if I don't like the answer, I'll definitely be switching to a midwife practice (I already checked out their website to make sure home birth is possible, and it is). There IS one little concern, which might be silly, but I just want to make sure it will work. My fiance and I live on the second floor of a ranch-style house, with a basement suite for my FIL. I'm just concerned that the tub/pool will fall through the floor, since my mom had an issue with a swimming pool on a balcony. I'm sure it's fine, but if any of you have had a water birth on a second floor or a first floor with a basement, I would really like to know just so I can ease my worries. Also, any other advice on having a water birth/dealing with family members' reactions and getting them to support the decision etc would be greatly appreciated :) 

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Re: I'm due in April but already planning for a water birth- intro

  • robyn2201robyn2201 member

    I don't have any advice on regarding question on water births but wanted to say welcome!

    Ivy: July 2010  |  Stella: Dec 2012  |  BFP#3: MMC at 11Wk's, July 2017 | Wyatt: April 2019 | BFP#5: Twin Girls due Sept 2020

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  • vintagejjanevintagejjane member

    I had a home waterbith. I'm not going to lie, I was scared that the tub would fall through the floor, but I think that was just my nerves getting the best on me. My midwife told me, it's like when you're having family over for dinner and she gave me the pounds compared to people. She said if I was still concerned she would hire an inspector to look at our townhouse, which was really sweet, but we trusted her.

     

    My MIL had a fit when we told her about home water birth, but I think that best thing for us was my husband being on board and sticking up for me. They duked it out instead of putting me in the middle.

     

    I LOVED my water birth. Here is my birth story if you'd like to read...  https://awhirlwindstart.blogspot.com/2012/05/weeks-38-39-40-41.html  

    Good luck! 

    Mommy to Emery Vera 5.20.12  Blog
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  • *LrCg**LrCg* member
    I had a water birth at home (with a CNM) and had no issues with your concerns.  I'm not sure why it would be an issue.  I was suppose to rent one of my midwife's birthing tubs but everything happened to so fast (and my baby came early- a day before our home visit when my midwife drops off all the supplies) that I ended up just using our bathtub and we used one of those covers that go over the overflow valve.  Our bathroom is on the first floor but we do have a basement.  However, even when we were planning on renting a tub from our midwife we were not concerned about the weight of it- your house is built for that weight.  Our only concern was leakage but my midwife just recommends a tarp for underneath in case of splashing but she's never had a tub leak (obviously if she did, she'd no longer use it).  As for getting family to support your decision, honestly I never really cared what family/friends thought of your deciisions- its our child not theirs.  As a parent, you just have to trust what feels right to you and not worry about anyone else.  If someone didn't like it, oh well it certainly didn't change my decision.  Best of luck!
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  • temptresskitten17temptresskitten17

    Thank you for the stories; they were really inspiring and only added to my confidence that I can do this! :) I kind of figured the weight wouldn't be a problem (how could it when all my books and furniture probably weigh a lot more? lol) but I just wanted to double-check since this IS a new house. The tarp sounds like a great idea, if only to protect our laminate floors, so thanks for the suggestion! As for family getting on our case, I talked with DH this morning and he once again assured me that he was on my side and that if anyone else didn't like our decision then they could...well, he used a pretty colorful word ;) I don't really care what other people think either, I just hate the drama that comes with having to defend my opinions all the time. It's nice to know that I don't have to worry about it; my DH is confrontational enough for the both of us and will easily put people in their place if they upset me!

    Looking forward to hearing more home birth and water birth stories over the next several months :) 

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  • mandilouwhomandilouwho

    I am planning a water birth at a local birthing center cause I too do not care for the hospital. I am choosing not to share to much of our planning to deliver there with others. There is some I've told who I know well enough and others if they ask I say

    "Why do you want to know"  Its no ones business

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  • katsue0xokatsue0xo
    You CAN do this!! And good for you for starting early to prepare for it. I have had 2 of my 3 babies via waterbirth. My first was natural as well, but due to hospital policy, I had to get out of the tub when 'I got close' (which ironically was the time I needed it most) If you are seeing an OB right now, I would HIGHLY recommend you switch to a qualified midwife of some kind. I have attended many hospital births, and you are basically left to play defense on your decisions. A midwife will usually be with you through labor- even in a hospital. It is not only nice, but necessary to have an advocate who can call most of the shots. As far as your tub falling through the floor......if you are really worried about it, maybe you could remove a dresser or some other large piece of furniture to offset the added weight of the tub? I really think the tub would be fine- but if you have a concern it's best to take care of it! Good luck, and keep preparing! It comes so fast!
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