Questions about Water birth

Amber - posted on 02/17/2010

I too am pregnant with my second child and am planning a water birth at home with a midwife. My husband was actually born at home unassisted in the bath tub. Although I can't share a personal experience, I do know from the birth story of my husband to be prepared and have a pair of hands near-by. My husband came flying out ( he was also baby #5) like a torepedo at the side of the tub and thankfully grandma "caught" him before he hit the side. I had an unmedicated birth with my first in a hospital... just listen to your body. Your body will let you know when you need to push, change positions, etc. I would suggest maybe taking an infant cpr class as well, just in case for the safety of your baby.

Miranda - posted on 02/16/2010

Water Birth is great!!! If you Trust your midwife that makes all the difference!!! My Doctor was great!!! With my first I did the WaterBirth!!! Some things to know is to make sure the water is body temperature. The baby does not take it's first breath until some part of them touch the air so they can stay under as long as they are all the way under and they have the ambilical cord!! The best pain management is to just relax and breath through contractions!!!! As for tearing, I don't know if there is anything that will help you not tear? I tore with both of mine. But with my 2nd I was unable to do the water birth because she came to fast...they were filling the tub thinking about getting me in there and thinking I was about 7 cm but I was ready to deliver!! Waterbirth is suppose to be less stress on the mom and baby!!! Also I loved the waterbirth because the baby came out clean!!! I did the water birth in the hospital. I give women a lot of credit to have an at home birth....It makes me scared that something could go wrong so power to you for having your baby at home the way that you want to have your baby!!!!

And Having a Doctor or Midwife you trust is very important!!! We love are Doctor and I am sad that I'm done having children because we don't get to see him anymore!!! The whole staff was extremly nice at the hospital and with having my 2 girls so close in age we just got to know all of them and I have often gone back to visit inbetween (when I wasn't pregnant) because they do enjoy seeing the outcome of the pregnancy!!!!

Good Luck to you!!!

Laura - posted on 02/15/2010

I have had 2 water births so far and both were wonderful (at a birthing centre and midwife assisted). 2 of my babies I missed out because 1 of them my waters were so low that there was no fluid when my waters "broke" and so I wasn't allowed and with the other I missed out because I couldn't make it to the birthing pool. I'm expecting again and the plan is again for a waterbirth so I hope that works out.
There are so many benefits, a big one being that it helps alot to relax between contractions and keeps you warm (very helpful through transition or fast labours as your body goes into shock).
Baby will not take a breath until air touches it's skin. But I think that there is a general rule that once baby's head is out, the rest should come out fairly soon after or you should be removed from the pool so baby can be assisted out (from memory, I could be wrong, they say the baby should not be under for more than 30 minutes). As with any birth you should stop once the head is out and make sure the cord is not around baby's neck. Otherwise carry on. I think you may find too that it's not always head. rest. shoulder 1. rest. shoulder 2 and the body. It may be head. rest. and then out pops the rest, ready or not.
Gas also works wonderful as joint pain relief with a water birth, if you can get access to that.
Also, they say you shouldn't get into the water until labour is well established (my midwife said generally 7cm dialated), as for some women it can relax them so much it actually stops the labour.
Goodluck and I hope it all works out smoothly for you.

Johnny - posted on 02/15/2010

I have not had a home birth, but I plan to do so next time. Unfortunately, I do not have personal experience to share, but I do have some websites that I have found in my research. I wish you the best of luck and I hope your upcoming birth is peaceful and wonderful for you and baby!

http://www.haveanaturalchildbirth.com/
http://www.inamay.com/
http://www.sheilakitzinger.com/
http://www.glorialemay.com/blog/?p=242

Brittany - posted on 02/15/2010

Thanks. See at our old house the tub would have been ideal. It even had jets and was pretty deep, but here its really hard porcelain and its very shallow, so I will have to get a pool but I have found some good deals via the internet on a pool. I haven't contacted my insurance carrier to see if they would cover the pool yet.

Sandi - posted on 02/15/2010

Hi Brittany,



I also decided on a homebirth of our baby, (She was our first). In England you can hire birthing pools instead of spending so much for a 1 time event. You also have to consider which room you want it in and if it will fit. Also if you want it upstairs you need to make sure the floors will hold the weight of a full pool.



I decided against having a birthing pool and used our regular bath instead. I hired a TENs machine that I didn't use because the bath water was so soothing. Also I could just add hot water when needed whereas a pool takes longer to fill and heat. I was 5cm dilated before calling the midwife and 8cm before I used gas and air. She thought she'd be able to go home for a bite to eat because I was coping so well with the pain, thinking I was only about 2cm dilated before inspecting me.



Your baby wont suffocate while fully submerged in the water. Because I was in the bath I had to get out for the final stage of pushing incase her head popped above the shallow water before she was fully out. If they are underwater they wont take a breath and the umbilical cord will supply their oxygen. I found getting out the bath helped though. Gravity played a huge part in my pushing, I leant on the sofa to push. Have some old pillows and sheets you are willing to throw away if you decide to get out :)



I don't know if you have thought of this too but I asked for them not to cut her cord until it had finished pulsating as it gives baby the final boost of vitamins. I found the water so relaxing and as you said it softens you up, I had no tears and Larna came out in the superman position with one arm up lol.



Enjoy going at your own pace and remember to visualise meeting your baby for the first time :)



Best of luck sweety I hope it all goes as you want it to.

~x~

Sandi - posted on 02/15/2010

Hi Brittany,



I also decided on a homebirth of our baby, (She was our first). In England you can hire birthing pools instead of spending so much for a 1 time event. You also have to consider which room you want it in and if it will fit. Also if you want it upstairs you need to make sure the floors will hold the weight of a full pool.



I decided against having a birthing pool and used our regular bath instead. I hired a TENs machine that I didn't use because the bath water was so soothing. Also I could just add hot water when needed whereas a pool takes longer to fill and heat. I was 5cm dilated before calling the midwife and 8cm before I used gas and air. She thought she'd be able to go home for a bite to eat because I was coping so well with the pain, thinking I was only about 2cm dilated before inspecting me.



Your baby wont suffocate while fully submerged in the water. Because I was in the bath I had to get out for the final stage of pushing incase her head popped above the shallow water before she was fully out. If they are underwater they wont take a breath and the umbilical cord will supply their oxygen. I found getting out the bath helped though. Gravity played a huge part in my pushing, I leant on the sofa to push. Have some old pillows and sheets you are willing to throw away if you decide to get out :)



I don't know if you have thought of this too but I asked for them not to cut her cord until it had finished pulsating as it gives baby the final boost of vitamins. I found the water so relaxing and as you said it softens you up, I had no tears and Larna came out in the superman position with one arm up lol.



Enjoy going at your own pace and remember to visualise meeting your baby for the first time :)



Best of luck sweety I hope it all goes as you want it to.

~x~