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myfullhouse 
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 Topic: Info on water births
Posted: 14 January 2009 at 12:15pm |
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I am interested in finding out more info about water births for #2 I have had a search and there are heaps of threads but really about people's experiences. My mw suggested Janet Balasleas's website but I can't find it. Can anyone recommend and websites, books etc so I can learn more?
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monster
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Posted: 14 January 2009 at 2:43pm |
This site is aimed at people having homebirths, but has good info on the waterbirth part (which I assume would be very similar if you were at a hospital/birth centre with an independent m/w).
Hope it's helpful, though it's a UK-based site.
Edited by monster
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Blankney94
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Posted: 14 January 2009 at 2:57pm |
I don't know if you are able to mention other websites on here - but if you PM me I have a good website I go to with birth stories etc.
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myfullhouse
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Posted: 14 January 2009 at 3:02pm |
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SarahMM I have just pm'ed you
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HippyMama
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Posted: 14 January 2009 at 6:21pm |
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Linzy - can I ask what you are wanting to know? I can probably answer (or try) a fair few of your questions on the topic...
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Mama to two earth walkers & two angels.
Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz
Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !!
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myfullhouse
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Posted: 14 January 2009 at 7:35pm |
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To be honest I don't really know what I want to know in particular, just I suppose any info as I don't really know how they work. That doesn't really make sense does it? The reason I am wondering about them is that I never really did much research before I had Jack and although I am happy with how his birth went I am wondering if there are other (possibly better) options out there.
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HippyMama
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Posted: 14 January 2009 at 7:49pm |
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Off the top of my head birthing in the water can assist with a few things, such as supporting your muscles more so there is less pressure while you labour. There is also a reduced chance of tearing down below, and some people feel that it is a more 'natural' (sorry, can't think of a better word) way for baby to be born ie: less stressful... as they are transitioning from one watery, warm environment to another, at least briefly... before they enter the 'big wide world'.
As far as how it works, hopping in too early can *sometimes* slow contractions, I know that some midwives prefer women not to get in until they are at least 5-6cm dilated.
With baby being physically birthed into the water, as per usual the head comes out first and some women might worry that the baby can't breathe - but they are still receiving oxygen and nutrients from the placenta so are absolutely fine until they break the waters surface and / or the cord is cut. Usually once the body is born baby is passed straight up and out and onto mum.
I had a water birth with DD and loved it, though I know water birth doesn't work out or isn't comfortable for all women either. I'm planning to have another water birth with this bub, but at home this time.
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Mama to two earth walkers & two angels.
Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz
Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !!
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Blankney94
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Posted: 14 January 2009 at 9:19pm |
Hi Pearls - did you feel the water made a difference to the amount of pain you were experiencing? ie less.
Also at what stage did you get into the water? I heard that too about hopping in too early. I'm about to birth in 6 days and think I will stay at home until I can't handle it any more and then hopefully slip into the tub at the hospital. Of course I may not be very dilated by that stage.....
I think the water will give me a greater sense of security and calmness.
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HippyMama
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Posted: 14 January 2009 at 11:44pm |
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Sarah - for me personally, it made an awesome difference! It still hurt, don't get me wrong, but it was heaps easier to cope with so didn't seem as bad, ya know?
I *think* I got into the water just before I hit 6cm, and stayed in there until after the placenta was birthed.
I found it really supportive, relaxing, and comforting too... that's why I'd like to do it a second time.
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Mama to two earth walkers & two angels.
Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz
Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !!
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Blankney94
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Posted: 15 January 2009 at 11:24am |
Thanks Pearls - I'm definitely intending to try the tub as a way of reducing pain and trying to remain calm. I'm a wuss and I think the cosiness of the water will calm me down some.
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myfullhouse
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Posted: 15 January 2009 at 1:21pm |
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Thanks for that Pearls. I tore with Jack, not bad but still I would like to try and prevent it next time. Plus I was pushing for quite some time so if the water possibly helps with that then it would be great.
I have had a look at a few websites and the only think that worries me at this stage is I wonder if I will feel really exposed i.e. naked. I know that is really silly as I only wore a hosp gown with Jack and that probably didn't cover much anyway.
I saw a friend today and she has a book that I can borrow which will be great. I think DH may take some convincing if that it what I decide I want
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Daizy
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Posted: 15 January 2009 at 2:52pm |
I had a water birth and I guess I still have mixed feeling on it. I think I got in too early which completely stopped all contractions to a point where they decided to just send me home. Im not really a big bath fan so I guess the water made me quite tired.
I was only home for 10 minutes when my water broke and everything was full swing, only just made back to the hospital and spent the 15 minutes of pushing in the pool.
I guess it was a very easy birth, no tearing or anything and the baby was incrediably calm after coming out of the water - she gave a tiny squak and then just fell asleep.
About feeling exposed, I just wore a T-shirt in the water. I guess I felt less exposed in the water as the mw just watched from behind, outside the bath. You could always just wear to bikini or longer tog top if you are too worried.
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HippyMama
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Posted: 15 January 2009 at 3:45pm |
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In a lot of birth videos that I have seen women have laboured with a tank top or swimsuit top on, it certainly helps with 'exposure'... I wasn't too worried at the time as I couldn't stand the feeling of clothes against my skin, everyone is different eh!
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Mama to two earth walkers & two angels.
Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz
Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !!
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kriss
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Posted: 15 January 2009 at 6:01pm |
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I hopped in a birthing pool at 7cm, but after a couple of hours my contractions slowed down, I couldn't dilate past 9cm and I was getting sleepy so I had to hop out.
I didn't find any differences in pain once I hopped out though.. I was wearing just a bra but hardly noticed at the time lol
Edited by kriss
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myfullhouse
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Posted: 15 January 2009 at 7:24pm |
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I don't even remember what I wore when I had Jack, I think a hospital gown. I didn't feel exposed then, probably too much else to think about. I suppose I am worried about the exposure as during my research all the pics of waterbirths have the mum completely naked. I think that people get to see enough of me without getting the full package
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ellabellame
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Posted: 17 January 2009 at 8:54pm |
i just scrolled down and didn't read the posts so sorry if i repeat anything anyone has already told you.
i had an unplanned water birth with maia and it was AMAZING, my first birth was very long and difficult and i really think that being in the water (and getting in at the right time!!) made maia's birth far more manageable.
i don't think the contractions were less painful but they were definitely easier to deal with and i also felt alot more bouyed(sp?) up and weightless, it was very easy to move around and change position.
i don't know about the difference in the actual delivery because with mikey i had an epidural so i didn't actually feel him being born but i didn't tear at all in the water even after having an episiotomy with mikey.
also maia was far more relaxed after birth, she didn't cry at all and she latched straight on to my breast literally about a minute after birth.
i hope this helped a bit, if you have any questions feel free to PM me. 
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myfullhouse
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Posted: 18 January 2009 at 10:19am |
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Thanks for that. I think I will do a bit more ready, have ordered a book from the library and nhave a chat to my mw when I see her in a few weeks time
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kmarie
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Posted: 18 January 2009 at 5:38pm |
I almost had a water birth. It was the plan, but in the end I was in the pool for a few hours but once I started pushing it wasn't progressing as fast as it could so I got out for the last 40mins or so.
It was FANTASTIC - you go into your own little world when you're in labour, and being able to float and feel almost weightless was the best (and for me, the only) painkiller ever.
I think it is recommended that you don't get in the water until you're a fair way through the first stage so that it doesn't slow your labour down.
I honestly can't recommend a water birth strongly enough - that'll definitely be my plan for any future children
Edited by kmarie
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twins in heaven Oct07
Is 40:11 "He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart."
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Ladybird84
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Posted: 19 January 2009 at 12:06pm |
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I am planning a home water birth which I am very excited about.
Something that has been playing on my mind is - how messy does the water get? When you see waterbirth pictures the water looks clean! Surley there must get blood and other bits and peices in it??
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myfullhouse
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Posted: 19 January 2009 at 12:38pm |
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I was wondering the same thing Ladybird. I tore and bleed quite a bit with Jack and am wondering what happens if this labour is the same. It's on my list of questions for the mw
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Info on water births
Little Angel, April 10