Water Birth

pcgamer999 · October 2015

Hi all, me and my partner are thinking of opting for a water birth for our first time, what are people's thoughts?

claireloSC · October 2015

Personally I'm opposed based on what my doctor has said. However, it's really something you should discuss with your practitioner to see their comfort with it in your specific situation. Here is some great info about the safety of it: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/waterbirth/

MrsReese28 · October 2015

I had this beautiful vision of a plain old push the baby out birth that did not happen due to complications. Talk to your doctor. A lot of hospitals actually have bath tubs in the rooms that you can use during labor if you want.

carlyhammond · October 2015

I don't know the science behind it. But I've seen videos of it.... Honestly it grosses me out how you are basically sitting in a tub of your own blood, placenta, after birth, poop...... Shall I continue?
I'm sure it's a beautiful thing though...

enkb · October 2015

ftm so no direct experience, but for me its something I plan to keep as an option but am not dead set on. I listened to a great podcast that talked about not forgetting the benefits of laboring in the water, either shower or tub, even if you don't plan to actually birth there. When the time comes I'll see what feels most comfortable. I have heard many people in my area talk about how they thought they could have a water birth bc the hospital hada tub, but when they were actually ready for it there were all kinds of restrictions so they weren't actually allowed to. Make sure if it is something that is important to you that you know all the 'rules', has your water broken, how dilated you are, if you have an iv, how many tubs are available vs how many moms want them, if you will be able to stay in the tub when you are pushing (alot of hospitals will let you labor in them, but you have to get out to push).

babybluu · October 2015

I'm planning on a water birth. I'm having a home birth, and unless I don't like being in the water I imagine the warm water will help. I have the pool already, just need to buy the liner.

ChrissyD1203 · October 2015

They have a tub in my hospital room, I thought I might try to go in it for a bit for some pain relief but I don't plan to give birth in it.

Leah6120 · October 2015

I plan on utilizing the tub in my labor room so long as I am able. Hoping to prolong an epidural. Not for delivery though. But the videos I've seen make it look like a great choice.

samara267 · October 2015

babybluu said:

I'm planning on a water birth. I'm having a home birth, and unless I don't like being in the water I imagine the warm water will help. I have the pool already, just need to buy the liner.

I'm having a home water birth as well. It reduces pain in labor, there's less chance of a tear, for moms who are GBS positive, it actually minimizes the risk to the baby as well.

My plan is to labor and/or deliver in the tub unless there's a reason not to or I decide I don't like it after all. I'll be renting a temp controlled tub from my midwife.

DianaL92 · October 2015

I plan on at least laboring in the tub. My midwife tells me it's great for natural pain relief. I'm a FTM, but I'm going to be realistic. I know that it won't take the pain away completely, but I feel like the relaxing warm water will definitely be beneficial. I think being grossed out by the nasty things that will come out of me will be far from my mind during labor.

claireloSC · October 2015

Yeah, I agree it's nice for labor pains, but like I said I don't want to give birth in the tub. My hospital also has tubs in the room so I will use one to avoid an epidural but not to give birth in.

Leah6120 · October 2015

Does anybody know if you are allowed to labor in it after your waters break? My MIL says she never got to use one bc she always had her water break right away. I would assume if you're delivering in the water it's ruptured at some point in that process though...

holocene · October 2015

I've had one water birth and one not. The water helped me get into a calm trance like state. I can't say it helped a ton with pain relief, but it was comforting. My second labour, I tried to labour in our huge bathtub, but it was slowing my contractions and stalling me.

This time, I'm planning on another water birth. But - i'll be more aware that all births are different, and to expect a potential change of plans.

mrhargr · October 2015

The hospital where I delivered DD had baths for laboring in but you weren't allowed in them after your water broke due to an increased risk of infection I think.

MamaHolland · October 2015

Where I'm delivering I have the option of water birth which was one of the reasons I chose that location.

monaclemere · October 2015

samara267 said:

babybluu said:

I'm planning on a water birth. I'm having a home birth, and unless I don't like being in the water I imagine the warm water will help. I have the pool already, just need to buy the liner.

I'm having a home water birth as well. It reduces pain in labor, there's less chance of a tear, for moms who are GBS positive, it actually minimizes the risk to the baby as well.

My plan is to labor and/or deliver in the tub unless there's a reason not to or I decide I don't like it after all. I'll be renting a temp controlled tub from my midwife.

The most important thing for a GBS positive mom is antibiotics to prevent passing it to her child. Water is not going to prevent infection and neonatal GBS is no joke and can be devastating.

Please adequately research these topics before passing on this type of info.

mvhyde · October 2015

They will have tubs available in our rooms at the hospital. I plan to stay in as long as possible. I can't remember if they said we were allowed to deliver in there, but I will be taking that option.

I am also aiming for a pain med-free delivery and will use whatever feels good. I hear that warm showers are also good options, so for moms who don't like the idea of sitting a tub while delivering. This is probably an option for women whose water has broken.

QueenCarlissa · October 2015

Like some of you I'd like to labor in the tub but not deliver I also do know it comes with tons of restrictions when done in hospitals. My hospital doesn't offer it anyway and my midwives don't travel the distance of other hospitals that do. So I'll be going all natural with alternative routes for pain like massage anything I can do to avoid a epidural.

babybluu · October 2015

monaclemere said:

samara267 said:

babybluu said:

I'm planning on a water birth. I'm having a home birth, and unless I don't like being in the water I imagine the warm water will help. I have the pool already, just need to buy the liner.

I'm having a home water birth as well. It reduces pain in labor, there's less chance of a tear, for moms who are GBS positive, it actually minimizes the risk to the baby as well.

My plan is to labor and/or deliver in the tub unless there's a reason not to or I decide I don't like it after all. I'll be renting a temp controlled tub from my midwife.

The most important thing for a GBS positive mom is antibiotics to prevent passing it to her child. Water is not going to prevent infection and neonatal GBS is no joke and can be devastating.

Please adequately research these topics before passing on this type of info.

My midwife puts in an IV port and provides antibiotics during birth. I think every 4 hours? I'm not sure. I had to ask her and make sure in case I test positive

kayelah23 · October 2015

Im having a homebirth/ waterbirth this time i labored in the tub most of the time at the hospital with DS even after they broke my water i immediately got back in the tub. Those jets were so nice too bad ill just have to settle with good ole calm water this time around!

mg137 · October 2015

My hospital has tubs in all the rooms and I plan to use mine, probably a lot. They do not allow birthing in the tub, unfortunately. Another local hospital with a brand new, state of the art L&D does allow it but they're not covered by my insurance.

Last time I wasn't able to use water at all and I felt it would have helped a lot. If there aren't any complications I'll go intervention free this time I'm excited for this tool.

Pp mentioned water stalling labor. I read that this can happen in early labor. The book recommended not getting into a tub until labor has progressed far and is strong unless mom needs a break to nap during a long early labor. I don't know when in your labor you had issues with the tub or what the circumstances were, but I figured I'd mention that in case it helps you or someone else this time.

Unknown · October 2015

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jezygal · October 2015

I'm planning a natural birth, I may or may not deliver in the tub, but do plan on using the tub as pain relief. I do not want to deliver in a hospital again, it's so much more exhausting and they try to control everything (from my experience). At my birthing center you get to go home 4-8 hours after delivery and that sounds heavenly to me.

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