Water births?

I really wanted one. but couldn't stay in the water so ended up having Andrew on the bed. Still I had no tears or cuts or anything.

I'm all for a water birth at this stage, everything I have read about them impresses me. That said though two of my friends had planned them as well; one couldn't stand being in the water when the time came and the other didn't have a chance to get into the pool as babies foot was already out when she got to hospital (VERY short labour and breech birth).

I wanted a water birth but didnt realise how far along i was when i was busting for a pee lol so i wandered to the toilet (took awhile coz of contractions) came out of the loo and couldnt make it back to the tub coz i was in pain, ended up 20 mins later having baby while leaning over the bed and i had no tearing, only a graze coz ella came out with her hand on her face. Just be flexible with ur birth plan coz it changes drastically

Yup, had a water birth here at North Shore and loved it as much as you can love being in labour LOL I couldn't speak more highly of water births, besides being very soothing and relaxing, I'm pretty sure it helped me tear less - I only had some very minor ones to the labia, and my perineum stayed completely intact. I know that might sound TMI but I never knew how valuable being able to poo was until after giving birth !

The only other things I can think to tell you is that my midwife didn't let me get in until I was around 6cm, just to make sure the 'soothing' effect wasn't TOO good (and stopped labour instead of helping with it), but yeah, once I got in - BLISS ! I think I got in the pool about 1am, and Erin was born at 3:13am after 15 mins or so of pushing.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask !

I had a water birth first time round and am planning on another one this time round. Same as Jax, I had mine at North Shore (with Sharon, frantic).

I initially got into the water as I was cold, the water helped a lot to get me more 'comfortable' (if such a thing is poss during labour) and then I wouldn't get out. I had no tearing, minor grazes and no complications. Pushing was relatively 'easy' and quick (only about ten minutes). Got out to deliver the placenta. Sharon was fantastic during the labour, very relaxed.

I was a bit concerned about the 'gunk' factor after the birth, blood etc but there was none.

I think I was just lucky. Other people (Becca?!?) have had the water swished around and changed while they were in it but I was a bit quick and didn't need it. But I did get out for the placenta and have no idea if there was gunk after that!

Yes Anna, that was me

Both births, my midwife (and I had a different one each time) would frequently swish the gunk down the drain and renew the water... which was good, because it meant that the water was a constant temperature, it never had the chance to cool down too much.

The only gunk i had was the rest of my show that was in there lol altho i didnt actually give birth in the pool

I gave birth to both of my children in a spabath... Becks, I was the only one in the bath, although I understand that if you are in a birthing pool someone (probably a midwife) will be in there with you.

i labour in a bath and i dont think u could of got any one else in there and if u had i may have tried to drown them