I would really like to have a water birth when I have a child and I was wondering if anyone else had been or had one before?

We were planning on trying a water birth with Carter. We didn't - he ended up C-section after a very long labor.

We really wanted to do it, but everything has to go right. When my water broke, it was slightly green and they said that Carter pooped while I was in labor so he would have to be taken immediately to suction his lungs. This meant NO WATER BIRTH. You can't have any drugs either! None at all! At least that's how it was with my doctors. Also, only the nurse/midwives do water births at our hospital. No OBs do it.

It sounds so wonderful, but just remember that a lot has to go perfectly right for it to happen! Good luck - I hope you get a perfect water delivery!

We really wanted to do it, but everything has to go right. When my water broke, it was slightly green and they said that Carter pooped while I was in labor so he would have to be taken immediately to suction his lungs. This meant NO WATER BIRTH. You can't have any drugs either! None at all! At least that's how it was with my doctors. Also, only the nurse/midwives do water births at our hospital. No OBs do it.
This was similar to our hospital, except water births are never allowed you are just allwed to labor in the birthing tubs... And you can't if you are not yet 37 weeks, are strep b positive, have prolonged rupture of membranes, are on any drugs (pitocin, magnesium, narcotics, epidural), or if the baby isn't handling labor well.... Since I was 36 weeks, strep b positive, and my water had been broke for 24 hours when they started pitocin I never had the option...this time around we're just hoping to get to 34 weeks and we already know I'm strep b positive, so it won't be an option again.

I labored in the tub but had to get out to deliver... I absolutally loved it and it litterally took everything I had to get out of the tub when I had the urge to push!! Next time I'm going to a place liscensed for a water birth.

I labored in the water for both my daughters, but had the second in the water (9 weeks ago now). EVERY WOMAN should labor in the water. Well, at least it helped me tremendously. While it was nice having dd in the water, when you're at that point, you really don't care. You just want her out!

I have attended a few water births. I own and rent out a birthing tub, and sometimes they want me there as a doula too. In homebirths they are fabulous because there aren't so many restrictions like I hear about in hospitals. But it's true that it is nature's pain relief and that it is a gentle way to birth. I would absolutely have a home waterbirth if I ever was blessed with a pregnancy. There is something so magical about it.

Kerri

I labored in the water for both my daughtersMe too! If I have another I will again. I could barely feel my contractions in the tub!

I could barely feel my contractions in the tub!
Well, I wouldn't say that was my case. I could definitely feel them, but floating and the bouyancy (sp?) helped immensely!

I am planning a homebirth and on using a birth pool. Kerri - I'm in BC too :D We have a tub as well, but it's not super big so we have the birthing pool if I decide I want to give birth in the water. I'm really open as to whether I'll have an actual water birth, but I DEFINITELY want to labour in the water - for all the reasons you have described!

Hi Shazza,

I was at the best birthing conference today at Douglas College. I met so many famous people! Super cool. I'm still on fire.

Anyway, the tub I have is the aquadoula and it's this really cool portable one. If you go to their website there is a ton of waterbirth info that anyone can read or print or download or whatever: www.aquadoula.com (http://www.aquadoula.com) Lots of good stuff for people thinking of waterbirth or labouring in water.

Kerri

thanks for the tip :)

BTW, I'm also originally from New Zealand - I moved here 2 years ago. Whereabouts in NZ are you from?

I had a waterbirth it was just awesome! I would highly recommend it.My daughter was 9# 4oz and I didn't need a stitch.If you have the option, by all means give it a try.

This baby I am planning on a waterbirth :)

This baby I am planning on a waterbirth :)
Just out of curiousity, where are going?

I'm having a home birth.

Methodist should be liscensed for water births in a month or so (But than they said that when Nick was born and he is over a year now)

Community Anderson is liscensed for waterbirths

And so is the 38th Street birth center.

All the community hospitals have tubs but most will only let you labor not actually birth in the tubs.

As far as I know St. Vincents and St. Francis don't have any birthing tubs at all.

I think thats the low down on the Indy hospitals :lol:

I just attended a beautiful sacred respectful home waterbirth this week. I'm still so energized by it all. Awesome stuff. Nature's relaxation tool in action. Such a peaceful beautiful babe.

Kerri

I'm planning to give birth in water if that is what I want with this one. My midwife provides the pool for free.

Just thought I'd post here but my birth tub is being delivered today!! I seriously can't wait!!

Well now that Justin is here I can say if I ever give birth again (not likely :lol: ) it will only be in water unless there is an emergency or something.

My best friend ended up in a water birth that wasn't planned (her husband and I were both present)... after a LONG labour she was in the bath at a birthing unit that is run by midwives. it was one of those big triangular baths.

She was in ther during her transition and as it was time to start pushing she just didn't have the strength to get out of the tub....So she spent an hour pushing in there and finally gave birth to her baby, unfortunately as he was very big (if I remember correctly close to 10 pounds) he got stuck with a bit of shoulder displacia (spelling?) and his head was under water a while, then they ended up standing her up to yank him out with the next push...

All turned out brilliantly and she was really happy with it all, she said the water really helped her deal with transition (she did the whole thing drug free)

Hi all,

I had a c~section with my first daughter... and a water birth at home with my second.
The water is a wonderful way to labor. It naturaly eases the pain and pressure and allows for easy movement . When Irie was born she just floated right up into my arms.
The water is also a gentler way for babies to enter the world . They come from a water world, and make a smooth transition through water ~ to life outside the womb.

If anyone is considering a water birth, I'd be happy to share the design we used for a tub. (Any kind of tub will do just fine, it just depends on how much room you want, and how long you want the water to stay warm.)

Blessings, Rain