Water birth tips

[elizabeth.scalf]

If your hair is long, you'll want a few etra ponytail holders to wrap it up in a bun so it doesn't drag in the water behind you. Not to hijack, but how long do most women usually spend in the water? With both mine I got in around 8-9 centimeters, broke almost immediately, and pushed out a baby. I never spent more than 20 minutes in the water. Not like I was sitting around for an hour going through contractions. OP, what are your plans?

[TonyStephandCrew]

I am new here, so hi first of all! I had a non-medicated for my first and a waterbirth for my second and am planning a waterbirth for my third at the end of December. It was so wonderful, you will love it. I was totally naked and didn't mind. I was wrapped in warm blankets as soon as I got out, so modesty wasn't a big deal for me. I found it hard to get a grip on the tub with my feet though. The tub was so big and I am a very small person so I found that I was floating a bit which made things tricky when it came time to push. You might consider some type of water shoe. I will be bringing some this time if I find I have that problem again.

[blhuns01]

Use cold washcloths to cool yourself down. You might have to try different positions in the water to find something that is comfortable. Don't feel like you *have* to have your baby in the tub. I was 100% home waterbirth but in the end, I needed to be out and pushing somewhere else. I spent a lot of time in the water, but I just couldn't push at my full potential in there. Good luck!

[kansasgirl]

Well my plans have changed a bit since I originally posted. During my routine checkup last week with my doctor, I started asking her some more detailed questions about how exactly the birth scenario would go. She then tells me that she doesn't actually do water BIRTHS. I can labor in the water as long as I want but when it comes time for the birth, I have to get out and deliver on the table. I'm extremely disappointed as I have made it known from my first appointment that my goal was a water birth. I'm even driving over an hour to see this doctor for the sole reason that the hospital had a birthing tub and I wanted to do a water birth. There are hospitals in the town I live in that I could have gone to but they don't have birthing tubs, so I chose to go out of my way. I still plan to see it through as I know that laboring in the tub will be better than no tub at all but I am still very disappointed.

[babyrosie]

Originally Posted by kansasgirl Well my plans have changed a bit since I originally posted. During my routine checkup last week with my doctor, I started asking her some more detailed questions about how exactly the birth scenario would go. She then tells me that she doesn't actually do water BIRTHS. I can labor in the water as long as I want but when it comes time for the birth, I have to get out and deliver on the table. I'm extremely disappointed as I have made it known from my first appointment that my goal was a water birth. I'm even driving over an hour to see this doctor for the sole reason that the hospital had a birthing tub and I wanted to do a water birth. There are hospitals in the town I live in that I could have gone to but they don't have birthing tubs, so I chose to go out of my way. I still plan to see it through as I know that laboring in the tub will be better than no tub at all but I am still very disappointed.

I am so sorry to hear this update! I would feel very misled and disappointed also. You can still have a beautiful labor and birth but I am sorry you have to deal with this. That is crazy that you til her repeatedly that you planned to have a water birth and she went Along with it until the end of your pregnancy.

[keen1981]

Can she force you out of the tub or must she say this for liability, I wonder...

[marvelous]

Originally Posted by kansasgirl Well my plans have changed a bit since I originally posted. During my routine checkup last week with my doctor, I started asking her some more detailed questions about how exactly the birth scenario would go. She then tells me that she doesn't actually do water BIRTHS. I can labor in the water as long as I want but when it comes time for the birth, I have to get out and deliver on the table. I'm extremely disappointed as I have made it known from my first appointment that my goal was a water birth. I'm even driving over an hour to see this doctor for the sole reason that the hospital had a birthing tub and I wanted to do a water birth. There are hospitals in the town I live in that I could have gone to but they don't have birthing tubs, so I chose to go out of my way. I still plan to see it through as I know that laboring in the tub will be better than no tub at all but I am still very disappointed.

I am so sorry this happened to you. This is pretty much what happened to me except it was the hospital that said I couldn't deliver in the tub. My doctor was otherwise supportive. I ended up switching to a home birth at the last minute. If you have no other options, then I think you will still benefit from laboring in the tub. I know it helped me immensely, but I sincerely understand your disappointment. I'm kind of with the PP, can they make you get out? I mean, what if your labor progresses so fast that you don't have time to get out?

[lovebabies]

I'm sorry! That would be disappointing to me too! With my first baby I labored in the tub, but couldn't get in a comfortable position to push in there, so I moved to a birth stool when it was time to push. It was still wonderful to labor in water. Helped me relax get ready to push. In your case, I'd recommend having someone have a dry bra or shirt, or whatever you want to wear ready for you when you step out of the tub so you don't have to push in wet clothes. (Unless you don't care ) I hope you have a beautiful birth!