We don't do waterbirths in our hospital...too many OB's and not enough midwives (IMO!!).

For me, the jury's still out on how I feel about them, but I think I am a product of my environment. I did watch some live water births on YouTube, and I'll be honest...some of them freaked me out!

But on the other hand, I can see how a waterbirth would be an amazing experience! As an "au naturale" birther myself, I spent the majority of my labors in the the tub...and it was wonderful!

I think I could be persuaded to be pro-waterbirth... ;)

My second son was a waterbirth. It was the most peaceful, beautiful experience! I loved it. As the midwife brought Cubbie up from under the water, my husband was the first face he saw.

I tried to do a waterbirth with my first son, but he got stuck coming out and had to be vacuumed out.

I would highly recommend it if you meet all the qualifications...ie, no complications, not a high risk birth, ect. Let me know if you have any questions, feel free to email me :-)

I would definitely consider a water birth at some point when I am having children. My only concerns are the fact that I have some health issues and my guess is the docs would be pretty reluctant to do anything but a normal hospital birth. I vote no medication though, if I can handle it. 

Unmedicated births are awesome!

Not that there's anything wrong with meds...but it is so wonderful and so empowering to feel and see what your body can do!

My friend had one when we lived in Germany. I was so excited to be able to do the same but sadly it did not work out. I would just make sure your midwife has done several of them before doing it

I had a water birth for my third baby and it was amazing, you can read about it on my personal blog:

http://monkeymu.blogspot.com/2010/08/i-had-my-baby.html

I'd recomend it if you can do it then go for it!

I've only just been turned on to this idea. I'd have never considered it before, and then during our socio-cultural anthropology class, we watched 'The Business of Being Born'.Now, I couldn't imagine doing it any other way than naturally! 

Granted, its a long ways away, but the epidural/pitocin process scares the hell out of me. 

I did not have my first child via water birth, but that was my plan. I did labor in the tub for a long while, and it was incredibly relaxing. Rachel was posterior and all my pain was in my lower back. Without the warm water and my husband back rubbing, I think I might have gone insane!

I *may* have relaxed too much or not have been in the best position for my posterior 15.5" width shoulders kiddo... the tub was about the point my progression really halted.

I was at a free standing birth center with a CNM and RN. We had hospital privileges less than 5 minutes away and I was low risk.

Ultimately both of my pregnancies ended in c-sections, but I am very much a supporter of water birth and natural birthing. In the end, you have to find what makes you most comfortable. Good luck!

Definitely a "natural" birther here too - the thought of epidural needles scared me WAY more than the thought of the pain of birthing.

I had a water birth with my second baby.(my third came too fast to barely even make it to the hospital and by number four i just wanted the alien OUT by any means possible).

The water birth was absolutely the most intense, empowering, amazing experience - probably of my life truly. I could feel every single cell of that little body being born from me - and to this day - i wonder if that's why she and I have such a weird crazy connection. i mean - I connect with all of my babies in their own ways - but with K2, it is very intense. Much like her birth was.

I would highly recommend seeking more information on how to make this happen if its something you would like to try. And if you end up only laboring in the water and pushing out of the tub - you will still have had a unique way to help relieve some of the pain.

good luck with your decision and I hope you can find a way to make it work for you!

terra

Terra, you totally just made me want to have a water birth.

Only, I'm done having kids, so I'll just hafta settle for watching videos on YouTube while my husband looks at me like I've grown another head.

Terra...how's you're babe?