Spinoff to baby story today--water births

No judging, just curious....

Why would someone want to do a water birth?

Re: Spinoff to baby story today--water births

I would think its natural, it appears to be more comfortable.

Re: Spinoff to baby story today--water births

would totally freak my dh out...

however i can see why some girls like it... kinda relaxing to be sitting in a tub(reminds me of the movie knocked up, she takes a bath before heading to the hospital)... plus doesnt the baby then float to the top then start air breathing, so if the baby gets stuck coming out its not such a rush to pull them out?

Re: Spinoff to baby story today--water births

it's supposed to be more relaxing with the contractions but honestly, i would never wanna lay in all of that grossness. i kid around with DH and say i'm gonna have a water birth and make HIM get in the tub. i really don't get it when i see men get in the tub. yucky

Re: Spinoff to baby story today--water births

Froma water birth website

Greater comfort and mobility. The mother has much greater ease and freedom to move spontaneously and to change position to assist the descent of the baby.

Reduction of pressure on the abdomen. Buoyancy promotes more efficient uterine contractions and better blood circulation, resulting in better oxygenation of the uterine muscles, less pain for the mother, and more oxygen for the baby.

Helps mother to conserve her energy. Immersion reduces opposition to gravity; supports the mother's weight so that her energy can be used to cope with the contractions.

Promotes deeper relaxation. As a woman relaxes deeply in water, her hormones kick in and she starts progressing faster and with more rhythm; labor becomes more efficient.

Water relaxes the pelvic floor muscles.

Re: Spinoff to baby story today--water births

I just went to a discussion group on them. Honestly I had planned on laboring in the water with my midwife and not birthing. I still haven't made up my mind. I have so more investigating to do.

But, here is what I learned.

When used at the right point (7cm plus) water helps to speed up the process and acts as a great pain reliever. So If you are going natural it is a way to deal with the pain. The boyancy in the water allows you achieve more comfortable positons that out of the water and is more effective for moving the baby down the birth canal.

I don't know that I belive that the extra 3 seconds in the water before the baby comes out creates a more natural experience for the baby.. i think that's a little weird. But, they did say that waterbirth babies tend to be calmer right after birth.

My issue is the skeeve factor of the nasty water. From what they tell me that at NUMC you give birth in the jacuzzi tub. There is no blood in the water during the labor and it comes after the birth. They drain it immediately and while it is draining they are rinsing you off with the shower head and birthing the placenta. (that's the real bloody part) so you aren't laying in a pool of bloody water.. This was my main concern. I don't know if it is the same for home water births, as the tubs don't drain as quickly and you probably do sit in the water.

I am starting my childbirth class next with someone who just did her 3rd waterbirth last week. Her first was on baby story actually. So I am sure I will have a ton more questions for her.

My game plan at this point is to just play it by ear and see how I feel about it that day.

Sorry so long.

Re: Spinoff to baby story today--water births

All 3 of my babies were born natural; meaning no drugs. I didn't have water births though. I can see where they can be comfortable but it's totally not for me. I would never be comfortable in a tub naked with my rolls flapping and jiggling all over the place. Never.

Hanging out in a tub while stuff is just coming out of my chunie is knd of gross. BUT "you" look passed that b/c it's a natural and beautiful process. Still not for me.

Re: Spinoff to baby story today--water births

I was planning a water birth at home but ended up transferring to the hospital after 42 hours of labor. I spent A LOT of my labor in my birthing tub at home. If it wasnt for the tub I don't think I would have held out at home as long as I did.

Re: Spinoff to baby story today--water births

last time around i imagined i might labor in the tub for a while, and i planned to make sure i got one of the birthing suites with the jacuzzi. it just seemed like such a relaxing way to do labor.

turns out there was no time, my labor was too short. plus, to be honest (sorry, SO TMI), i had a lot of bleeding very soon into my labor (maybe because it was so short). so the skeeve factor of the water would have gotten to me, i think.

this time around i anticipate the same kind of labor, with not too much time. but even if i did go longer, the yuckiness in the water would really gross me out so i wouldn't do it.

jmo...

Re: Spinoff to baby story today--water births

Re: Spinoff to baby story today--water births

Posted by alexlynn7

Posted by sfp0701

There is no blood in the water during the labor and it comes after the birth.

is that what you were told? cause i had blood throughout my labor... i thought that was common, but maybe my experience was more atypical

if you could get the benefits of the water without the yuckiness in the water throughout, that would be great...

Re: Spinoff to baby story today--water births

Posted by alexlynn7

Posted by sfp0701

There is no blood in the water during the labor and it comes after the birth.

is that what you were told? cause i had blood throughout my labor... i thought that was common, but maybe my experience was more atypical

if you could get the benefits of the water without the yuckiness in the water throughout, that would be great...