Waterbirth

I didn’t give birth in water, but I labored in it and loved it. When my contractions started getting painful (but not regular enough to go to the hospital yet) I filled our tub at home with warm water. I laid on my side to submerse half of my belly, then after a while I would turn to the other side. It really worked to reduce the pain and help me relax and focus. Once I went to the hospital, the labor rooms had Jacuzzi tubs for laboring. They would let me do a half hour at a time (I think not to overheat the baby). The entire time I was laboring I was most comfortable when walking or in the tub.

However, for me, it didn’t help with keeping things natural. My experiences sound very similar to yours, after a long and painful labor and not progressing past 5cm for 30 hours, I was enduced. I opted for an epidural once I reached 7.5cm and 40 hours. I never wanted one, but in the end I was happy I did, I could relax, breath, and enjoy my daughters birth. Plus, I ended up with a third degree tear (even with perineal massage and an episiotomy), which I don’t think would have been pleasant if I had been able to feel it.

I read later that getting in before 5 cm can slow your labor, perhaps that caused my problems. I also read that waterbirths may reduce risk of tears.

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I fully understand you wanting to have a drug free birth but I do not want you to beat yourself up if that does not happen for whatever reason. Just know that the health of you and your baby are the most important thing not if you had to have am epidural or medical intervention. Good Luck and Congratulations on your new baby

1 mom found this helpful

I'm so glad you're looking into water birth! I had a water birth at home with my first child and loved it. It was a long hard labor (I got stuck at 5 cm. for hours with hard contractions that weren't doing anything) and I labored in the water off and on and eventually delivered in it. I can't say that it was painless, or even that it reduced the stress level hugely (although I think it helped) but I can say that it was soothing and more comfortable to be in the water. And now, having delivered my second in bed, I can say that I think it made the pushing easier to be in the water. My second just came too fast to get the tub filled! Which is an encouragement for you! My second was just a lovely, gradual, easy labor. So the whole thing might be easier this time. One thing I learned with the first one, too, was to take each contraction as it comes, not thinking of how many there have been or how many there are to come but just focusing on breathing through the current contraction. When I hit upon that, about halfway through labor, things started to move along much better. Just a tip! Best wishes for the birth of your second!!

K.,
As a doula I have attended a few water births. And I can tell you that it does seam to make the difference to my clients.
I had one client say that she was worried because the pain level went down so far when she was the in the water. She thought maybe her labor was stopping. She got out of the water, and realized it kept going.
It is a very peaceful experience to see a baby swim to his mom.
If I could have more children (I have 5, and tubes are tied) I would try a water birth next. But no one told me about it when I was having kids.
Good luck in your choice.
Keep in mind that you must find a provider that will support you in your choice of water birth if you chose to do so.
I don't know a lot bout your area in Vancouver. But I could ask around if you wanted some resources.
Take care and congrats
B.

I had my 1st and only daughter 8 months ago in the water with no drugs. It was awesome. Its easy to switch around positions to labor in when you get tired or just need a change. Its also super relaxing. I was falling asleep, deep sleep with dreams, between contrations which were only a minute or two apart. After she was born she was placed on my chest with the cord still attached. We stayed like tht for about 15 or 20 minutes. The cord was still pulsating..it was very cool. I'd be happy to send you pics. Just let me know.
A.

Hi K.,

I am a labor doula, and while I did not get the experience personally of a waterbirth, I can tell you from my experience with my client's they wouldn't want it any other way. Midwives refer to the hot tub as the "aquadural" because it is so effective. I liked what I read as far as preparing yourself for a stress and drug free birth. Preparation is key, and knowledge is power. You already have first hand knowledge of the other course your labor took last time, so you know what you personally wish to avoid.

Food for thought, I also use self hypnosis in my births, which in addition to the water proves most effective. Of course there are so many more comfort measures, but I know you will find what works best for you.

Best of luck and may you experience the birth of your dreams!

T. Nelson CD (DONA)

When I was in the hot tub it staved off having to have an epidural by a couple of hours so I imagine this is a great idea. Also, the drugs that they give to induce you - I had that done once with my first child - Petocin. I'd rather have a C-Section than Petocin. The Petocin did NOTHING for advancing my labour and EVERYTHING for advancing the pain. If you don't get Petocin, you should have a MUCH less painful time in a natural birth.

I also HIGHLY recommend using a midwife. They stay with you throughout the delivery and help in a myriad of ways. Even better is a naturopathic midwife. They don't wander off to take care of other patients in the middle of your delivery that doctors do.

Are you planning a homebirth or birthing somewhere else?
Either way, waterbirth is an AWESOME way to go!
Both my kids were born at home. With #1, I tried to labor in water and it just didn't feel right, so I got out. It happens, but its good to have that option open!
With #2, I labored most of the time in the water and birthed her in the water and it felt amazing! So calming and peacful!

I think there are some cases where women getting in the water can be so calming that it slows down labor, but if you are in true active labor it's rare. Most of the time if you just get out for a bit and walk or bounce or whatever, it'll get labor going again and you can get back in. The actual birth when in water is much easier and is just awesome!

We are planning our 3rd home/waterbirth in May! I can't wait to do it again!!

Any more questions or just wanna talk about it more? My personal email is ____@____.com

Hi K. - Unfortunately many inductions end up in a less than ideal situation. I am sorry you didn't get a good experience, because although delivering a baby will always be painful, it can also be one of the most memorable and wonderful experiences you will have!

I've always used midwives, but had a different experience each time. My first I chose a shot of nubane, rather than getting into the tub, which made me loopy for hours. I regretted that decision, so with my second I did labor in the tub, but was in a hospital where water births were not allowed. With my third I was in a birth center and planned to deliver in the tub, but ended up on the bed because I was rotating through different positions and that's where I ended up when it was time!

The water is very helpful for taking the edge off the pain of contractions and for providing a calming, relaxing environment. In fact, I think that the key to an ideal delivery is to have your quiet, calm, soothing atmosphere with your husband/partner by your side and a helpful midwife to lead you through the pains. For me, anyway, that is what I remember: that when I was in pain and could only focus on getting through one contraction at a time, there were two or three people there who were solely focused on helping me, and everything else around me was conducive to that focus - dim lights, quiet room, no distractions. The water, like I said, helps a lot in that regard, whether you actually deliver the baby there or not.

My deliveries have each been better than the one before as my husband and I discover that I can do it! Women don't need doctors and drugs to interfere with our bodies!

Blessings on your delivery!!!
js

K.,
I was a home birth midwifery apprentice for a couple of years before my kids came along and I saw quite a few waterbirths. They are the way to go. Those women had a much easier time of it than those who home birthed in the bed.

-E.

all my friends and family members that have had waterbirths loved them, makes the birth much easier on mommy and the baby, my boss thats due in a few weeks with her 1st kiddo is having a waterbirth, when i get preggers i plan to do the same

Hi K.,
My first birth was 20 hours and almost ended in a c-section, but luckily was able to deliver "natrually" with the help of a vacuum. My second birth was scheduled a week early because my baby was already so big (9lbs 3oz). I tried having them break my water firts and do a lot of walking, but that didn't get things started, so I let them start the pitocin. 5 hours later (with about 5 minutes of pushing instead of 3+ hours of pushing) I had a healthy baby boy. Both births I used the bathtub a lot which was relaxing, but kind of hard to get back out of and dried off while I was having contractions. And I didn't use any pain meds for either birth. Some people say the Pitocin makes it more intense, but I found it was about the same both ways, just MUCH QUICKER the second time around. If your second labor is not progressing and they recommend it you may want to try it. I had said no the first time, I was born at home but chose to have my baby in a birthing center but didn't want any medical interventions if possible. Also, my recovery after the second shorter birth was much quicker, I think being in labor so long is harder on your body. Good luck, I know this doesn't really answer your question about a water birth, but hope it helps give you a little more info.

I cannot help too much, although I had planned on a waterbirth with my four month old. I was induced after a mild scare with his heart rate when I was 41 weeks. I know that if the situation had been different, I would have wanted to maintain my plan of the water birth because I was forced to lay on my side during labor, and was not free to walk around to help the pain. I desperately wanted to be in warm water to soothe my pain because I refused drugs, but due to the Pitocin I had to stay dry. If this is something you feel is right for you, I would recommend scoping out nearby hospitals to see if they have water births available. Mine does, but as I said, I could not take advantage of it. You definitely have more freedom during labor to do whatever you feel is necessary at the time if there are no complications. Good luck to you, whatever you choose!

I had a waterbirth with my second child. I wanted one with my first, but everything went too fast. I was induced with my daughter and had more time, the water really is relaxing, but you don't want to spend too much time in the water, its best to get in for a while, then get out and walk around and then get back in. Another thing I did when I was out of the water that helped tremendously with the pain was to sit and bounce on a birth ball, I don't think I would have made it if I hadn't done that. The most amazing thing about a water birth is how relaxed and peaceful the baby is when it comes out. Good luck, I truly hope this birth goes better for you.

I labored and delivered in water for my twins home birth. I am currently pregnant and am planning a birth center, water birth with the same set of midwives. Most of the hospitals here in Oregon (I know you are up in WA and not positive who or where you are going to for your prenates)will only allow you to labor in the tub, they will not allow you to birth in the tub due to their own issues both with insurance, liability and many don't understand the pros of warm water during labor. Alma Midwifery (Located in NE Portland) and Andaluz Waterbirth Center (located in SW Portland and Tualatin) both offer waterbirth in a birthing center atmosphere or as a home birth option.

There are also several other local home birth midwives that you can find by going to The Midwives Association of Washington http://www.washingtonmidwives.org/ there is a link for all of the licensed midwives in WA that you can look at call and meet.

Good luck in your decision, and if you do go with a water birth I hope you get all that you want out of it! I know I did regardless of what some family and friends said. It was my way to go.

S.

My first (and only) birth was mostly a waterbirth. I wanted her to be born in the water, and labored in there for about 14 hours. I ended up having her at home, but she was interested in coming out on my bed, instead of in the water. I think it was just a bit too relaxing or something for me. I had a tough go, with 8 hours...yep....8 hours of pushing. I was fortunate enough to have her at home though. It is a wonderful experience because it is all on your (and the baby's) clock, not the doctor's or midwife's. I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it. We really have the best of both worlds with homebirths these days because we are close to the hospital if indeed there are major complications. I went with Andaluz waterbirth center in Portland, a wonderful bunch of midwives. Check them out on the web if you are in the area. Good luck! Wonderful choice!

I strongly encourage waterbirths. My daughter was born at home and I labored almost exclusively in the water. It was wonderful. I'm currently planning my second home birth and will be ordering my birthing tub. Honestly I would ignore all those doom and gloom birthing books and borrow a copy of Spiritual Midwifery by Ina Mae Gaskin from the library and also a copy of Gentle Birth Choices. I hope you have the birth of your dreams.

I didn't have a waterbirth, but I did have an unmedicated birth. I spent a fair bit of the time I was in labor in the shower or bathtub. Everything went very well and while it did hurt, it wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought it might be. One tips my doula told me was to tell the nurses not to offer you pain meds and if you're thinking about them, wait until there's no nurse in the room. Once the nurses think you might possibly want meds, they're much more likely to push them even if you're not sure.

Hi K.,
Make sure that you check out your hospital's insurance policy! I wanted to have a water birth with my second as well and they wouldnt let me give birth in the tub because their ins. didn't cover it if something went wrong. That said, they let me stay in there until she started to crown and it was way better than my first natural birth with my son. something about the weightlessness of it all in the water... the only hard part was getting me out and over to the bed:)
good luck!

I don't know much about water birth, however, my first childbirth sounds very similiar to yours. I wanted to let you know that whether you do water birth or not, it is likely that things will be mucher easier the second time. My second came so quickly that I barely made it to the hospital and never had any pain meds (or even an IV). I was only in real pain for about 15-20 minutes. Anyhow, good luck! S.

I will echo what many responses have already said - as a mom who gave birth to my 3rd in the water, I will say it was very much worth it. I had all 3 naturally; with the first I wasn't really well-informed of the water choice, with the 2nd he came too quickly, and the 3rd we had at home and I got in the water at the last hour or so and had him in a big pool. Although my labor with him was pretty easy anyway, it was long, and I did notice quite a difference in the reduction of pain once I got in to the warm water. It can also dramatically reduce your chances of tearing - much gentler on delivery in this way! You will want to be careful not to settle in the water before you're fairly well-progressed; it can actually stall labor if you're not far enough along. There are a couple of videos that show births in the water; you may want to try to call a local Bradley Method instructor to see if you could talk to them & maybe they'd let you borrow one. Or if you have a local birth center they may be able to help you out. And the book choices listed below (Gentle Birth Choices, Spiritual Midwifery) are wonderful, too! Best wishes for a wonderful birth!

I had my second in water at home. THe labor was way less painful, every time they got me out to check me, the pain went up, but my daughter slid out into my own two hands and was as serene as ever! I had minimal to no tearing, and my daughter had a big head!

All this after my son was born breech with no pain meds at home. WE tried water, b ut at the end due to his change in position they had me lying on the bed, which was way more painful than squatting, and excrutiating. I birthed him, but later had to go to the hospital witha pneumothorax (punctured hole in my bronchioles that leaked air into my muscles). It's common n heavy weightlifters.

Water is the way to go, by far. The only drawback was that my son wanted to get in the "pool" with me:)

Good choice! I had 2 water births. I have nothing to compare it to, but I am conviced that part of the reason I had such wonderful births was because of our choice to do water births. We were at a birth center that had a jacuzzi type tub and that worked very well for pain relief for me. Also, I have heard that just being in the water helps your body to stretch and being somewhere like a birth center, they tend to encourage you to eat and drink during labor (something not typically allowed in hospitals). Keeping yourself hydrated also really helps with the stretching aspect. With my first birth, I was in labor for about 17 hours, but felt it was pretty managable and never once felt like I needed to ask for any drugs. (good thing, since they aren't available at birth centers) My husband did a great job of reminding me to drink frequently (mostly gatorade for the electrolytes and hydration) and I believe it (and being in the water the whole time) are the reasons that I avoided needing any stitches. I ended up with a tiny tear that wasn't even big enough for 1 stitch. (I was in the tub for over 6 hours.)

With my second birth, we did the water thing again, however, things went so fast I was barely in the water before it was time to push. (Less than 3.5 hours from my first contraction until my son was born.) Even with it being so fast, I believe being in the water and keeping hydrated again played a big part in how wonderful I felt right afterward. Lucky me, I didn't have too much time to get tired, and with all the adrenaline, I felt fabulous! This time I had absolutely no tearing and felt back to normal within about a day and a half. =) I was in the tub for around 45 minutes.

Just a warning. Not everyone enjoys the water when in labor. I had a friend who was adament about having a water birth and when she showed up, she got straight into the tub and got right back out within a couple minutes because it was so uncomfortable for her.

One other warning: Make sure they have prewashed towels (if it's a jacuzzi tub, everything has to be washed several times without soap or it will cause tons of bubbles) that you can put in the tub to sit on. With my first delivery, since I was in the tub for so long, my hind end was very sore for a few days after because I was sitting at a funny angle on a hard surface for so long. =)

Good luck!! I hope you enjoy the water birth experience as much as I did! (sorry this is so long!)

I wanted to have a water birth too. I gave birth to my son in a Birth Center, outside of the hospital which had a birthing tub. I ended up not being able to give birth in the tub because there was myconium in my fluid. But I did spend spend 6 of my 7 hours of active labor in the tub. It helped my pain so much. I was so much more relaxed and able to breath through my contractions than if I had been outside of the tub. It was wonderful! There are so many benefits of water for both relaxation and actually birthing in the tub. I wish you the best of luck!