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Water birth vs. Shower

CecilbearCecilbear member
in Natural Birth
Hi ladies, 

I am a ftm at 28 weeks and I'm trying my best to switch practices to one that allows water births. This was not important to me at all up until a week or two ago and now I'm kicking myself for not doing more research on water births sooner. My question to STMs who did not have a water birth, but perhaps labored in the shower, was that effective pain management for you? 
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Re: Water birth vs. Shower

  • aylafsu88aylafsu88 member
    My hospital does not allow water births. I labored in the tub and even did a few pushes in the tub before the nurse had me move to the bed. For me the water was amazing pain wise. It took the edge off my contractions, helped me relax a bit and eased my back labor. I had no problems moving to the bed and delivering.
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  • barista411barista411 member
    The area I live in does not offer water births so it was unfortunately not an option for me. I did however use the shower for both of my labors. It was an absolutely life saver. The warm water was the only thing that helped ease the pain and allow me to relax. I would say I spent 75% of the time in the shower during my labor. The shower is also great because you can localize the water to the area you are feeling the contractions the most.
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  • ChichigoChichigo member
    I labored in the tub and shower at home. I progressed very quickly once admitted and didn't have time to move to the shower.
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  • CecilbearCecilbear member
    barista411 said:
    The area I live in does not offer water births so it was unfortunately not an option for me. I did however use the shower for both of my labors. It was an absolutely life saver. The warm water was the only thing that helped ease the pain and allow me to relax. I would say I spent 75% of the time in the shower during my labor. The shower is also great because you can localize the water to the area you are feeling the contractions the most.
    That was just what I wanted to hear. Thank you! And thanks to everyone for weighing in and sharing a bit of your experiences--that was all very helpful! Appreciate it!
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  • lalaith50lalaith50 member
    There is a difference between a water BIRTH and laboring in the tub. My doctor does not allow waterbirth, but laboring in the tub is fine. From what I've heard, most of the benefit of the tub really is from the relaxation during labor (rather than pushing.) I just wanted to mention that b/c I can't tell from the OP if she is aware of that distinction.
    If you really want to labor in the tub, then just stay at home longer and use your bathtub.
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  • eves1989eves1989 member
    I'm also considering water birth.... I found series of videos showing water birth and its benefits also. I think it makes the labor process less stressful plus the support of the husband.
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  • mb314mb314 member
    edited February 2014
    A labored at home in the shower and then in a tub at the hospital.  Both helped with pain management, but I much preferred the tub.  I could more easily switch positions, and I was able to labor on my hands and knees.  Unfortunately, my hospital didn't let me deliver in the tub.  Having to move from the tub to the bed to deliver was the worst part of my labor (besides the car ride).  I didn't want leave the lovely water, and I would have loved to have delivered in there. In fact, I did some secret pushing because I didn't want to move just yet. 

    For me, the tub was what kept me from asking for an epidural.  I knew that if I got an epidural, I would have to leave the tub, and I wasn't willing to give it up.
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  • kali55kali55 member
    I had a home birth and labor in the shower and tub.  I actually had to get out and walk around because being in there relaxed me so much that labor slowed down


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