Anyone else planning a water birth?

Knottie1433777995 · February 2016

I was just seeing if any other May mamas were planning on a water birth! Would love to hear from anyone who has had one in the past as well.

jenl1681 · February 2016

I "planned" to have a water birth with both my other kids. Never happened. I am "planning' on it again this time too. Our hospital has huge jacuzzi tubes in the room and they are glorious! With DS I spent about 3 hours just laboring in the tub and it was sooo relaxing. I ended up needing a nap and getting an epi though. With DD I didn't know I was in transition while the tub was filling up so I was flipping out a bit and got in and out within 5 mins. Hindsight, obviously, I should have calmed down and waited 15 mins.

Third times a charm right?

araecasey · February 2016

I would love to have a water birth! I hear rumors that my hospital has a couple of the really big birthing pools. I plan on asking my midwife about using one this time, but I haven't done any deep research into water birth yet.

TheThornBird · February 2016

My birthing center doesn't allow you to actually give birth in their tub, but you can hang out in it while laboring. I definitely plan on using it!

JennyS86 · February 2016

Just a reminder to ask your hospital if they allow you to labor in the tub if your water is broken. Our hospital advertises that they have a jacuzzi tub, but they don't allow you to use it when your water is broken. Ask away!

dsmith211 · February 2016

I plan on at least using the tub to labor in... Whatever else happens from there happens. I'm going to a birthing center and they said the majority of people at theirs actually do give birth in the tubs, but it's personal preference/however you feel at the time.

Pascal86 · February 2016

Okay, don't hate me for asking this (I asked a pregnant woman this who was planning on a water birth and she gave me the nastiest look) - but people poop during labor... isn't this more concerning when you're doing a water birth, for obvious reasons? Despite all the potential benefits of a water birth, I can never get past this aspect of it and wondering what the reality is!

Kurrant · February 2016

Pascal86 said:

Okay, don't hate me for asking this (I asked a pregnant woman this who was planning on a water birth and she gave me the nastiest look) - but people poop during labor... isn't this more concerning when you're doing a water birth, for obvious reasons? Despite all the potential benefits of a water birth, I can never get past this aspect of it and wondering what the reality is!

hah you read my mind! I have always thought that water births sounded very relaxing and amazing but every time I just imagine my first moments with my baby (and DH if he got in with me which some people do) as sitting in a tub of murky water full of blood, various fluids and floating poop . . . Then I suddenly decided I will just with something more standard. I feel like this can't possibly be the reality but it always gets in my head when I think about it!

jenl1681 · February 2016

Brutally honest TMI time...

I warned you, with both my kids I had some serious diarrhea before going into labor. I felt tired, generally worn out and then spent the day close to the bathroom. Both times contractions started later that day/into the night. Soooo by the time I was actually at the hospital my bowls were pretty empty and pooping wasn't a concern.

araecasey · February 2016

Pascal86 said:

Okay, don't hate me for asking this (I asked a pregnant woman this who was planning on a water birth and she gave me the nastiest look) - but people poop during labor... isn't this more concerning when you're doing a water birth, for obvious reasons? Despite all the potential benefits of a water birth, I can never get past this aspect of it and wondering what the reality is!

Good question! I know several moms who pooped during their water birth, and oddly I've never questioned when their midwives just got out the fish net to scoop it out. I def wouldn't want my baby born into poop water, and I def wouldn't want poop water potentially infecting my uterus.

JoMunson · February 2016

Hey! They just released a study that giving actual birth in water is no more dangerous for both mom and baby than any other form of birth! I was so happy to hear that. I'm actually not sure if my birth center has tubs but I plan on using water in all its forms. My mom says she labored in the shower for a long time for her home birth and it was so relaxing.

Knottie1433777995 · February 2016

The birthing center allows me to birth in the water so that's the plan. In my birthing suite there's also a bed and a huge shower so I have options.

As for the poop, I did not think about it and don't want to

Pascal86 · February 2016

Haha, okay so I guess the poop is still a big question mark. @Knottie1433777995 - maybe something to look into, and tell us all what you find out!

JoMunson · February 2016

I'm a FTM so definitely don't use my opinion if you don't want, but as I get closer to birth I keep hearing that one thing that happens in early labor is your body cleans itself out- and that includes getting rid of any poop that might be in you. Then when you go to push your body just doesn't have anything to push out (except a baby).

Copernicus08 · February 2016

Why don't they let you labor in the tub after your water breaks? With my son, my OB told me to get in the tub for pain management after my water broke. I specifically remember him saying, "Your vagina is not a vacuum!"

JennyS86 said:

Just a reminder to ask your hospital if they allow you to labor in the tub if your water is broken. Our hospital advertises that they have a jacuzzi tub, but they don't allow you to use it when your water is broken. Ask away!

JoMunson · February 2016

Copernicus08 said:

Why don't they let you labor in the tub after your water breaks? With my son, my OB told me to get in the tub for pain management after my water broke. I specifically remember him saying, "Your vagina is not a vacuum!"

JennyS86 said:

Just a reminder to ask your hospital if they allow you to labor in the tub if your water is broken. Our hospital advertises that they have a jacuzzi tub, but they don't allow you to use it when your water is broken. Ask away!

From what I read there was a concern about microbes making it to the baby or the baby taking a breath under water, but like I said recent studies show water birth isn't dangerous.

ahire01 · February 2016

Hey! We had our first child at a birth center and while I never planned a water birth that is what we ended up doing. I would love to do that with our second (due May 2) but don't have my heart set on it as it depends on how labor goes. And yes, you can poop in the tub however I didn't - and if I had, the nurse would have scooped it out right away. The benefit of pain management with the water is UH-MAZING. And they say baby doesn't breathe in the water as it's coming straight from amniotic fluid. Best of luck in your decision! If nothing else use the tub as long as possible for pain management

Lillie0309 · February 2016

I plan on using the birthing pool more for trying to relax during labor than actually birthing my baby in it- however if it happens then it does. My midwife will have it set up and available for me that day. FTM but I've read and seen first hand amazing benefits of using warm water to calm/relax yourself during birth.

lionstigersbears · February 2016

With my first I really wanted a water birth, but I "risked out" of the alternative birthing room (where tub is) due to a non-reassuring NST in triage. It was the best route for us given the circumstances. This time I do hope to try it out and see how it goes!

lalala2004 · February 2016

What I've heard about the pooping situation is that if you poop, they scoop it out, and if it's really loose and can't be scooped out, they make you get out of the tub. I imagine they'd drain and clean it if there was still time at that point.

folamij · February 2016

I wanted a water birth but sadly my hospital doesn't allow it. They will however let you in the jacuzzi or shower beforehand. Best of luck to those who get to have a water birth!

araecasey · February 2016

folamij said:

I wanted a water birth but sadly my hospital doesn't allow it. They will however let you in the jacuzzi or shower beforehand. Best of luck to those who get to have a water birth!

They can't stop you from pushing. Just sayin'.

folamij · February 2016

@araecaseyApparently, after I'm dialated so far they won't allow you in the jacuzzi, only the shower. Otherwise, I'd totally go for it!

Want a personalized experience?

Anyone else planning a water birth?

Re: Anyone else planning a water birth?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards