Birthing pool

[KayCan]

Hi Ladies, I'm just looking for some advice or anyone with first hand experience....I'm warming to the idea of trying the birthing pool out, hubby and I have just done a hospital tour. However I think because of the IVF I'm classed as high risk so I asked the midwife about it and she actually said there's nothing to stop me trying this out, although the consultant may have a different opinion and if this was something I want then I should challenge it. She said to do some research to take to my next appointment. So I'm just wondering if anyone has any first hand experience of this? Thank you xx

[Emmaxxx]

My friend did. She was adamant she wanted to give birth in the pool and she was refused as they have to enough staff on shift. I think you need 2 midwives when using a pool. So my advice would be don’t get you hope up too much xx

[Bridget_rose]

Hello! I gave birth to my little boy two days ago and couldn’t not share with you because I was in this exact position. I was desperate for a water birth but my consultant wasn’t keen because he preferred me to be on the constant monitor (IVF plus low Papp-a). I had an uncomplicated pregnancy otherwise. As it turned out I laboured for quite a long time at home (hard but would totally recommend!) before I went in to hospital, and by the time I was admitted you couldn’t have paid me to climb into the pool! Furthermore, the monitor picked up a slight dip in my baby’s heart rate which meant he was ‘helped’ out right at the end. His cord was partially around his neck. So very glad I was so carefully monitored in the end. I didn’t miss the pool one bit despite being quite sure it was what I wanted. I’d recommend keeping an open mind about it all. Hope that helps! xxx

P.S. you might get some more advice on the NCT forum (rather than this one) if you’re a member of that one too.

[KayCan in reply to Bridget_rose]

Thank you for the post. I'll put on NCT as you suggest, it was just because of the IVF element. I do want a bit of a plan but not totally precious and will ultimately do what is needed to keep us all safe and healthy xx

[Bridget_rose in reply to KayCan]

Yes totally understand re the IVF. Congrats and all the best for when the time comes! xxx

[KayCan in reply to Bridget_rose]

Thank you lovely ❤

[KayCan in reply to Bridget_rose]

Congratulations on the birth of your little one btw hope all is well ❤

[Lynnr54]

Hi, yes, I have first hand experience of this. I have had two IVF pregnancies. During my first one I did a lot of research and like you became interested in using the birthing pool. By the time I was ready to give birth I was adamant that this was the way I wanted to give birth. I talked it through with my consultant and was told there were no issues with using it, however because I was IVF they weren’t going to let me go over the 40 weeks and would have to be induced and if I was induced then I wouldn’t be able to use the pool as I would need continuous monitoring. So I did everything I could to try and get baby to come on time (including a session of acupuncture). I actually got really stressed out about it towards the end. Well on my hospital due date (4 days before my IVF due date and 2 days before my agreed induction date) my waters broke so I got really excited. However there was meconium in them and my contractions were taking a long time to start coming so I ended up having to be induced anyway and not being able to use the pool. I remember being in the delivery room crying about it (bloody hormones!). As it turned out I didn’t have a great birth. I don’t know if being in the pool would have changed it but it totally put me off giving birth.

To cut a long story short, for my second pregnancy it took a lot of convincing for me to agree to try a natural birth rather than go for a section and along the way to making my decision I had a lot of consultations with consultants, senior midwives etc and all of them agreed that it would be ok for me to use the birthing pool. During my second labour as I was being moved from MAC to the delivery suite (in a bit of a panicked rush as things had suddenly started happening quickly and I had started pushing) I reminded them that I wanted a birthing pool. They said to me oh no you can’t do that as you’re high risk. I said to them that I was only high risk because of the IVF and no other reason and I’d had it signed off by my consultant and it was all in my birthing plan etc. So they went to call the consultant on call who said yes it was fine and I actually got to use the pool. I would definitely recommend it so it’s worth having those conversations now, getting your consultant to agree to it and getting it in your birthing plan. And stand your ground. It’s your body. It’s your labour. It’s your decision. The hospital can only advise you want to do and not tell you what to do.

[KayCan in reply to Lynnr54]

Thank you for your reply. It's so difficult isn't it because the midwife tells you one thing and the consultant tells you another, both totally at opposite ends of the scenario, and then there's you in the middle having to make this decision ultimately!!! 🤯

[Lynnr54 in reply to KayCan]

If the midwife is on board with it then hopefully your consultant will be too. If (s)he says no then I would suggest asking whether it’s only being IVF that makes you high risk or if there’s something else too. If it’s only IVF then ask exactly what about IVF is it that impacts the birthing pool? It’s usually things like blood pressure that they care about. In an otherwise normal pregnancy, I can never understand why the way in which an embryo gets put inside you suddenly makes you at higher risk whilst giving birth. Good luck with the conversation!

[mimisquiz77]

hi, unfortunately I wasn’t allowed to use the birth pool too. I have tried to challenge this but was unsuccessful. The only thing I would say is there might be a stage where you will need an epidurals to cope with the pain. At this stage you will not be allowed to go back in the pool as it is too dangerous. So maybe it’s worth considering?

Good luck with labour x

[KayCan in reply to mimisquiz77]

Thank you, midwife even just suggested using as a coping strategy then get out if it gets too much (and then have pain relief) I'm ok with that, the idea of just floating around appeals to me. My hospital have a big net to get you out with lol!! 🤭

[mimisquiz77]

Cool. Well if you can do it I think you should go for it. Good luck 🍀🤞xx

[Liana1989]

Just to let you know when I had my son through IVF I was never considered high risk because he was conceived via IVF, and throughout my whole pregnancy it was never mentioned xxxxx

[SharlyWarly]

Why would you be high risk just because you've had IVF???! That doesn't make sense, unless you have had issues in pregnancy that you are aware of. IVF births are no different to non-IVF births!!!I had my pool at home and it was great, I was 39 years old with an IVF conceived child. I didn't end up giving birth in it but it was nothing to do with the pool itself. I can't recall the temperature it was supposed to be but I actually found it was too hot, which is why I got out, and I felt the need to walk around to ease the pain (I had no pain relief). Had it of been cooler and I have been able to articulate myself during established labour I would have asked to have some cool water put in and I'm sure I would have given birth in it.

You will need to be as clear as you can now with your instructions in relation to how you want the birth to be as when you are at the end of labour it is very easy to let others make decisions for you if there are grey areas. Of course, it probably won't happen how you think it will happen anyway but that's childbirth for you!!! x good luck

[KayCan]

I'm not sure if it's just my consultant who classes all IVF births as high risk because I've had no complications so far, it was just the midwife the other night saying that he would give us all sections if it was up to him. I'm also 39 and having my first child. I'd at least like a bit of a plan, and then if we end up not doing that then I'm ok with that if it means ultimately my baby will be born safely. Thank you for the message ❤

[franathy in reply to KayCan]

I'm down as high risk due to IVF too. The consultant suggested I should be induced at 39 weeks due to IVF births having higher incidence of still birth if left to go to full term. I'm going to refuse this when I see her next because having researched it myself the evidence to support this seems very weak and it seems lots of IVF ladies are being treated like anyone else and having no issues! It feels to me like they just don't know enough about it. Good luck with whatever you decide xx

[KayCan in reply to franathy]

I know, I feel like that too, but then it's so hard because I'd hate to go against his advice for then something to happen. Theres got to be a meet in the middle scenario for me. I'll have a good chat with him at my next appt x

[franathy in reply to KayCan]

I know, it's really hard to know what to do for the best xx