Water Births...
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8477
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Topic: Water Births...
Posted By: BaAsKa
Subject: Water Births...
Date Posted: 23 June 2007 at 1:27pm
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Im thinking about maybe having a water birth seen as i already have the spa booked at the annex but would love to hear from those who have had water births and how it went for you,
* also are you allowed any type of pain releif when having a WB (i know NO epidurals of course), * whether you have to get out after bubs to deliver placenta or just do that in the spa???? * What was it like dealing with the pain in the water??? * Did your MW get in the pool with you?? * Did your DH/DP get in the pool with you??? Basically any and all infomation on water births and how your went... Thanks 
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Replies:
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 23 June 2007 at 2:07pm
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I didn't have the waterbirh I wanted as things happened. But I was able to labour in the bath. My MW was next to me the whole time and DH when he was in the bathroom was on the other side. I had a shot of peth about 30 minutes before I got in the bath. The pain was a lot easier to deal with being in the water. If you want to know what stopped me from having the water birth PM and i'll let you know. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 23 June 2007 at 3:16pm
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You have have entonox(gas) while in the pool. I was planning a water bith, and was in the pool a little bit having gas.
They wont let you in the pool until they have monitored the baby and every thing is perfect. You may also have to get out to be monitored. When we were planning a WB my mw said I wouldnt be able to deliver the plancenta in the pool, so that would prob be same for you as same hosp etc. Does Alan still have his hand in cast?! |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 23 June 2007 at 4:08pm
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As Kellz has mentioned, you are allowed gas whilst in the pool, I had a couple puffs on this right towards the end - but you have to stop using it once you start pushing.
I delivered the placenta while I was in the pool, but they drained all the water first. Dealing with the pain whilst in the water was fantastic, more support for my muscles, warm water is just generally nice and relaxing and also soothing. There wasn't *really* any room in the pool for anyone else, although it wouldn't have been impossible - just cramped. I wanted as much room as I could get ! As for other stuff I can think of, there isn't a lot - had to wait until I had progressed to about 5-6cm before they let me hop in, but when I did it was the absolute best. Edit: I know you might possibly know this already, but if bubs head comes out first they will still be fine - Erin's head came with the first couple of pushes, and then the rest of her body after a couple more, then straight up out of the water and onto me for skin to skin. |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 23 June 2007 at 4:50pm
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With Jack I was in the pool the whole time and I think I coped a bit better than with Caprece where I got in about an hour before she was born.
As others have said you are allowed gas and I assume pethidene as well. They used the doppler thing under the water and examined me in the water as well. Placenta was delivered while I was still in bath but with the water drained out. I liked being in the bath cos its really easy to get into any position to deliver bubs. Noone was in the pool with me. |
Posted By: Brenna
Date Posted: 23 June 2007 at 9:34pm
No one was in the pool with me and I got in 45 mins before Brenna was born (would have been sooner, but we were at home FAR too long). I delivered the placenta out of the bath - sat on the loo  I found the water to be really good for the pain. So much so that we were all quite relaxed and joking around. If possible, I'm definatley going to have a WB next time  -------------  My beautiful 2 girls...nearly 4 and 13 months
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Posted By: Lisha
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 8:51am
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I had a waterbirth and I would recommend it to all!
I got into the pool 30 mins before Lucy was born. I didn't have time to have any gas (so had NO pain relief at all!!) as I was fully dilated and my midwife could see the head. I really went into the pool to ease some of my contractions, but decided to birth in the pool as I was already in there. My hubby was at my side the whole time, not in the pool. I birthed half on my placenta in the pool, then had to be rushed to CHCH Womans in the Ambulance as I had a retained placenta and lost over 3 litres of blood! Apart from that, Waterbirths are amazing!  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 9:14am
| I am also thinking of a water birth or at least labouring in the pool so this is really interesting. But did you wear anything on top or just starkers???? |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 9:20am
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I started out wearing a singlet but ripped it off half way through, so I birthed naked wth a sheet over me. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: BaAsKa
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 9:37am
Kellz yup hes still got a cast until tuesday if your home we might pop in for visit
Well i spoke to DH a bit more about WB last night!! and man he P****D me off!! hes so old fasioned!! he wants me to leave Astin in until hes ready to arrive!! and not try any inductions! ..easy for him to say from the cheap seats!...(although! i certainly dont hear him complaining about the special cuddles!  ) and just stick with the epidural and bed birth like Bay!! he said that he thinks WBs are unnatural and gross! ...well tough titties for him! cos i have to go through it not him! so im gana give it a go 
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Posted By: Brenna
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 9:42am
Starkers ------------- My beautiful 2 girls...nearly 4 and 13 months
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nzpiper wrote:Posted By: BaAsKa
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 10:18am
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thats what im looking forward too! LOL! going starkers and not having any shame!
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 10:23am
good for you. I hadnt thought muchabout what I would wear until we watched a birthing vid in antenatal class and the woman spent the whole labour naked and I thought...dont know if I want to be that naked....call me a prude! 
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 10:37am
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I wore a hospital gown whilst wandering around the delivery suite, and then starkers whilst in the pool - was quite warm and couldn't stand having anything extra on me.
Baysmum - No offense intended since I don't know your hubby, but it sounds like he needs a good kick up the bum !! |
Posted By: Lisha
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 11:54am
I wore a hospital gown, but should have been starkers, as it was clingy and I wanted to rip the thing off!  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Mummy2three
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 2:15pm
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I'm not sure about other pain relief but I know you can have gas.
I was in the pool by myself holding onto the side of the pool and DH. My midwife stayed close to the pool and monitored me under the water with the doppler. I didn't get in until I was 8cm and half and hour later I started pushing. I found being in the pool wonderful for helping get into positions. I was kneeling while pushing then when her head was half out I decided I wanted to be sitting (I have no idea why) I was able to change positions by myself really quickly. I found dealing with the contractions way easier in the water and I think the water helped me to not tear
I hopped out and onto the hospital bed to deliver the placenta
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Posted By: Mummy2three
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 2:24pm
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I wore a longer type singlet, just long enough to cover my bits but not too long that it would have been annoying
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Posted By: BaAsKa
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 3:46pm
Yup! he sure does Jax!! hes an awsome guy blahblahblah but man when it comes to his boys and wife!! hes sooooooo over protective!!! and it drives me nutts sometimes!!!!......good thing im such a stubborn madam!! and generally dont listen! lol
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Posted By: BaAsKa
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 3:52pm
hehe i was such a prude when it came to these things when having Bay and got all uptight when the MW or doctor had to look up my wazoo!! but that dignity went out the window after a short while!! lol and although i feel a little weird about going naked im thinking it would be nice to have direct skin to skin contact with bubs as soon as hes born without having to hoick up my shirt or nighty! ..i didnt get the skin to skin contact with Bay and really regret it! plus i also think that having clothes on in the water will make me feel worse with the heavy weight!! and i will chuck clothes on when ever im out of the pool so as not to scare the rest of the nation in the birthing ward! lol
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 7:30pm
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I don't like being stark naked when I deliver and it's been three times now for me LOL. Even when I wear the hospital gowns I wear a (maternity) bra underneath and sometimes a t-shirt as well. Who cares if it all gets wet, there's heaps of gowns available and they even get washed for free So that's the way to go if you're uncomfy being naked... well, naked with an audience.
Baysmum, tell your MW you'd like to labour in the pool and trial labour there also. Tell your DH you want to labour in the pool and you'll decide on the day what to do next! ------------- |
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 7:55pm
| For you ladies who had water births...aren't there "floaties"?? |
Posted By: Brenna
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 8:42pm
Shameful, but yes we were actually laughing about it during the birth------------- My beautiful 2 girls...nearly 4 and 13 months
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 8:49pm
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I had bits come out and my MW uses a seive to take them out. I have no idea where she put them thou. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 9:33pm
| Re: floaties - yep, if your body hasn't already emptied itself out completely, then you run the risk. I recall maybe one little one, my MW did the same with the sieve and just flushed it down the loo. No biggie, the body will do what the body wants to do... can't really help it after all! |
Posted By: 11111
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 10:03pm
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Hmm that why I like having baby on the loo. Although I would love a water birth I rather a home birth and cant have both cause there is no way I could get a pool in my house. ------------- Deborah Mum to:   
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Posted By: Anna
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 10:27pm
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Had a water birth both times here, loved it!
No pain relief but you can suck back the gas. Makes me sick tho. I got into the pool wearing the hospital gown, despite everything I was still too prudish to go starkers. Andy didn't get in with me, I imagine he would've been horrified at the thought, but he was up by my head the whole time. Deborah - funny you should say that bout home vs water birth, I really wanted a home water birth too but couldn't get a pool in my house. I wanted a water birth more than I wanted a home birth tho! ------------- Anna http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Anna
Date Posted: 24 June 2007 at 10:29pm
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PS No floaties here! I did just have to ask andy tho 'cause I wasn't sure!
I did bleed a lot second time round after she was born and that freaked me out cause I looked down and saw SO much blood seeping thru the water! yeuck! ------------- Anna http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Mummy2three
Date Posted: 25 June 2007 at 10:57am
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That was one thing I wasn't looking forward to. I talked to my midwife about it before the birth and she said they just quickly sieve anything out. I'm not sure if I had any floaties of that kind, I haven't been able to bring myself to ask DH yet lol
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Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 25 June 2007 at 11:57am
| I meant more like blood and bits of...I don;'t know. not like toileting things! |
Posted By: sally belly
Date Posted: 25 June 2007 at 12:48pm
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Knowing next to nothing about water births, where can you have these? In the hospital? -------------    
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 25 June 2007 at 1:03pm
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SB you can have them in the hospital but if you're keen for a homebirth water birth then talk with your MW about it, it is possible to hire pools for the occasion. ------------- |
Posted By: BaAsKa
Date Posted: 25 June 2007 at 1:18pm
LMAO!!! i thought you meant toilet floaties too!! LOL!!! interesting though....hhhhhmmmmmm not sure i would like to bath in my toilet floaties!! lol........still keen on a WB though
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Posted By: james
Date Posted: 25 June 2007 at 2:02pm
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i partly laboured with james in the bath in hindsight i think i got in to eary and it slowed everything down for me. i had gas and was monterted in the bath also my midwife checked me in the bath aswell my waters poped while i was there for me the water was scary epss after my waters went as thas when it got more painfull(i was induced)i was tottaly nude and didnt care who saw me i felt scared while i was in the water as i felt i was going to drown so i had to get out no floaties here either ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: MelanieAndBree
Date Posted: 25 June 2007 at 2:39pm
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I want a water birth. Definately not keen on going starkers though! lol. Will probably wear as much as possible haha.
Dont like the thought of getting naked in front of my sister heheh. Dont think she likes that thought either :P ------------- Melanie. Mum to Briahna Robyn, 3yrs |
Posted By: bookwyrm
Date Posted: 25 June 2007 at 3:08pm
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Im keen on a water birth but not planned. I am going to a birthing center to deliver (if all works to plan) and only my DF, midwife and whoever else is required will be there.... I still think I'd like to be covered up a little as I am big for my height and don't wanna blind everyone. I think I'd like to use the pool for the contractions before I have to push, then try push on the toilet a bit.
Scary!!!!!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Mazzy
Date Posted: 25 June 2007 at 3:24pm
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Oh man, I really wanted a water birth, or at least to use the bath/pool for managing contractions. I totally forgot about it once things got going and my MW didn't offer it - was at the hospital so it wasn't immediately there, would have had to walk down the corridor which wasn't much of an option at that stage! DD arrived so quickly, I don't think we would have made it.
When we went on the tour of Waterford I was in love with the massive baths in their birthing rooms, they looked wonderful. Still gutted I missed out on using those! Ah well. There's always next time
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 25 June 2007 at 6:05pm
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What I said wasn't about toilet floaties as I didn't get them I was talking about the blood and stuff. I never saw anything as my MW just took it straight away. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: 11111
Date Posted: 26 June 2007 at 7:29am
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That is pretty much how by second birth was except all at home. Oh and having an 18 month old in hte bath as well. Course the toliet thing was not planned. but might plan for that next time it was so easy/clean. ------------- Deborah Mum to:
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Posted By: Candkids
Date Posted: 26 June 2007 at 6:57pm
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i wanted a water birth, but didnt get time to fill the pool, i think i had a t-shirt on as i barely had time to even get my clothes off b4 she arrived.
ive heard the water is luke warm???? is it? i want the water this time but dont really like the idea of sitting aroungd in a warm puddle ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  DD 10.5yrs DS 6yrs DS 11mths 5 little angles watching from above |
Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 26 June 2007 at 9:40pm
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Water births definately sound like what i want so long as the water pretty warm i would freeze otherwise.
Ok this might sound a little silly but ive not heard of it as an option but can you really choose to give birth on the toilet? Wont the baby hit its head on the bowl? It just sounds strange i thought it was only in cases like in the magazines with titles 'i gave birth on the loo and never knew i was pregnant' or that sort of thing -------------   
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 26 June 2007 at 9:49pm
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When I ran the bath it ws hot, nice and relaxing for me. When I hoped in it again it was quite lukewarm and I did want it hotter but couldn't be bothered with the empting out any water and filling it with warm water. I nearly gave birth on the toilet. I know Deb gave birth on the toilet. My Granmother gave birth on the toilet (it was my uncle) and as far as I know he never hit the bowl. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 26 June 2007 at 10:03pm
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It wouldn't surprise me if mw's generally discouraged women from birthing on the loo! But that kind of squatting position I find best for birthing. My brother was almost born on the loo because Mum mixed up the pushing sensation.... I guess I need say no more ------------- |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 26 June 2007 at 10:32pm
| The water in the birthing pool was plenty warm for me, I could be wrong but the temp is supposed to be about 27 degrees? And the MW checked before I got it, plus the room was nice and cosy so the heat didn't really have anywhere to escape to. |
Posted By: Parki
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 1:55pm
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I dont really understand the toilet thing either?
Do you give birth fully on the loo? I had serioussy never heard of this? :) |
Posted By: Candkids
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 6:11pm
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i sat on the toilet for about15min as i didnt think i could move and it takes all the pressure off your lower back and tail bone ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> DD 10.5yrs DS 6yrs DS 11mths 5 little angles watching from above |
Posted By: 11111
Date Posted: 29 June 2007 at 9:32am
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I guesas I need to expalin a little then I needed to go to the loo so I was sent by my m/w excuse me, but TMI approaching I did my bisness number 2's and while i was pushing my water's broke. The Mikey's head started to come out at this point I kinda leand back so M/W could catch him with hubby M?W only jsut made it down the hallway. p.s my birth stoy is in the Treasure's Pregnacy and bith mag and there is another one very simliar except the m/w was not there in time so Hubby delivered the baby. I think it is prb more common then we think too I remember in my birthing classe's way beck when i was pg with Alan the m/w taking them said it was a really good way. I have moved to a new house scince Mikey and the bath room is huge so I will use the bath and the loo next time.i ------------- Deborah Mum to:
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Posted By: 11111
Date Posted: 29 June 2007 at 9:35am
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Oh amd my M/W encoruaged it I really can't understand them having a prob caue it really is easy as long as the loo room is big enough for her to get in to catch baby it's not like baby is going to fall. ------------- Deborah Mum to:
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Posted By: 11111
Date Posted: 29 June 2007 at 9:37am
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I did not chose it first time round and would have thought is was really silly how ever now i have I will try to chose it again especially for a home birth cause there is way less mess after. ------------- Deborah Mum to:
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 30 June 2007 at 2:51pm
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For water births when baby comes out the water has to be body temp which is around 37 degrees. Both of mine were that the whole time and if you get too hot you can have a fan on you which is quite nice.
I was starkers for Jack and hated all the first photos so for Caprece I made it very clear I wanted a top on. |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 30 June 2007 at 8:13pm
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lol @ Starkers, I love that word hehe.
I want to try a water birth and I am definitly wearing as much clothes as possible Im extremly shy and self consious about these things.
Water birth sounds relaxing, Im always more relaxed and comfy in warm water and its a more private way to give birth I think, not having ur legs spread in front of everyone. You catch the baby yourself when it comes out right? ------------- |
Posted By: Chovynz
Date Posted: 01 July 2007 at 12:28am
This is the only information I have on a water birth.
Sorry ------------- Defending the male species since 1980
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 04 July 2007 at 6:49pm
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Congratulations on your pregnancy Sheza
I kinda caught Jack, he came out and was just on the bottom of the pool so I picked him up and the midwife caught Caprece but depending on your position you or your partner could catch the baby. We videoed Capreces birth and its great because you can't see any of my bits because of the position im in. |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 04 July 2007 at 7:11pm
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Thanks Rach, yeah I think I will have my partner in the pool with me for support and he could catch the baby ------------- |
Posted By: pikelets
Date Posted: 04 July 2007 at 7:42pm
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Im keen on a water birth too but DH is not too convinced. He is worried he will miss out as he cant see whats happening and I can see his point of view as I want him to see as much as possible.
Im not keen on being starkers either so will wear a bra or little singlet - nothing that will get to heavy. I heard that the pool is really hot so not good for a summer birth?? As for the floaties  - that is one thing I dread more than anything - whether its on dry land or in the pool ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
 3 Angels - Dec10 / Mar11 / Dec11
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Posted By: Leish
Date Posted: 04 July 2007 at 9:51pm
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LOL Chovynz!!!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Brenna
Date Posted: 05 July 2007 at 7:34pm
Your DH will be able to see, mine watched the whole thing. The water was just a comfortable temp, I don't remember it being too hot at all ------------- My beautiful 2 girls...nearly 4 and 13 months
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 05 July 2007 at 10:34pm
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Love that pic that is cool. I "pulled" Josh out when I delivered him (but that was on the bed), I know some MW's are all for the mother to be a part of the birth (other than just pushing) and others are totally in control of the birth. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: KiwiMama
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 12:38pm
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[QUOTE=Baysmum] Im thinking about maybe having a water birth seen as i already have the spa booked at the annex but would love to hear from those who have had water births and how it went for you,
* also are you allowed any type of pain releif when having a WB (i know NO epidurals of course), * whether you have to get out after bubs to deliver placenta or just do that in the spa???? * What was it like dealing with the pain in the water??? * Did your MW get in the pool with you?? * Did your DH/DP get in the pool with you??? Hey There Baysmum, Well i never intended on a waterbirth, I was only going to use it as pain relief before getting out to push. HOWEVER, Once I got into the pool there was no way i was getting out. The spa pool was absolute bliss for contractions and to help ease the horrible uncontrollable urge to push. I loved it and could not imagine having Cairo anywhere else. Although I was offered gas in the bath I did not take it as the hot water really takes the edge off especially during transition. After Cairo was born the midwife emptied the bath and I stayed in there to deliver placenta. My midwife didnt get into bath nor did my fiance but they were right beside me the whole time. In short Waterbirth was well worth it and made me go with the contractions instead of fighting them. I even managed to make the odd joke! Hope this helps
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 1:08pm
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ha, i must be the only woman on the planet then who didnt like the spa, i was in the spa bath before i left for the hospital, and the contractions came faster and i couldnt get comfortable at all, perhaps its cos i hadnt planned to birth in the pool and wasnt able to just relax and enjoy it.
I was birthing in my birthday suit (until we drove to the hospital of course lol) and couldnt care less, dignity etc goes out the window during labour for a lot of people, myself included |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 30 July 2007 at 1:33pm
I didn't like it either It felt like being put in a paper bag and being shaken up! I hated it! But I did like the shower... weird huh!------------- |