Customers Water Birth Testimonials
"Being a bloke I looked high and low for a lockable birth pool given the trouble a 3 year old could get into, when the pool arrived everything was well labelled (clearly with blokes in mind) the set up was quick and simple (again for blokes). The Born in Water team could not have been more helpful as baby was 2 weeks late. The pool was a massive success with mum and big brother (who learnt to swim!). Mum was so much more relaxed and the birth was so much easier (her wordss not mine!) that she might even be convinced to have another. I would recomend anyone to consider a home water birth and more importantly use Born in Water."
Chris, London.
"The warm water felt very soothing and comforting, as if being held in a warm embrace and was the dominant sensation for most of the labour (rather than pain and discomfort!). Even towards the end with strong contractions, the birthing pool, massage and a spot of gas-and-air made it all bearable and the contractions seem productive."
"I'm sure the birthing pool sped up with first stage of labour, which meant I wasn't exhausted by the time I got to the second stage. Although I didn't give birth in the water, I still think of Gabriel as a 'water baby'!
(Don't worry about space! we have a miniature Victorian terrace and I managed to have a futon mattress, sofa, water pool, 2 midwifes (and all their bags) and a partner in my front room with no trouble!"
Paula
"I would highly recommend a home water birth to anyone. I have precious memories of the birth of both my daughters but the pride I feel at how I coped with the second, all due to the water, is immense and the experience will never be forgotten I'm sure."
Annette
"I would recommend a home water birth to anyone who is considering the option. I do feel in hospital it can be easy to be swept along with the medicalisation of child birth and a relaxing home environment can be far more indusive to a more natural labour (if that is what you want)."
"I managed 2 babies with no pain relief other than the tens machine and the water and I don't consider myself to be particularly tough! In fact the water made both labours quite enjoyable, I could never imagine trying to push a baby out lying horizontally on a bed!."
Katy
"Before the birth Lucy could relax in the birthing pool in our own home, the water taking the weight and relaxing her muscles.
For the birth, Lucy gave birth naturally with no need for drugs.
Since the birth the whole family have enjoyed the birthing pool, and we kept it for a fifth week. This has helped Lucy to build up her strength and get fitter. Our little baby loved going back in the water to float, stretch out, breast feed and sleep a bit. A lot of our local midwives have visited to see the birthing pool, as it is so superior to unheated ones other people use in our area. We hope more families can have an experience as perfect as ours."
Lucy and Marc
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Birth Story from a recent customer...
This was my first pregnancy, and although I received alot of well-meaning advice to give birth in hospital, I was determined to persue my dream of a home birth in water. I did a lot of research and reading before deciding that this was the best option for me, but to be honest I knew all along what I wanted.
At my booking appointment, I was told by my NHS midwifes that staff shortages meant I was not going to be given the option of giving birth at home. I was also told that my local hospital staff were not adequately trained to deliver a baby in water. It was at this point that I decided to employ a private midwife who would support my plans!
I wanted to hire a pool that had a heater and filter. When you're in labour the last thing you want to have to think about is topping up the pool with hot water to keep it at the correct temperature, and the bonus of the filter meant I only had to change the water once a week. I was also advised that the pool should ideally have sturdy, rigid sides - perfect for gripping or reclining against in complete security during birthing.
When the pool arrived I admit we were a little daunted! Three large boxes were deposited in the living room and we set to work identifiying and putting together the components within. Once we started building the walls of the pool we realised that it was going to be easier to assemble than we had first thought, and the job was completed in about an hour.
The next day I sank into the pool and I have to say, it was heaven. During my pregnancy I developed a condition called SPD (symphis pubis disorder) which caused a lot of pelvic pain and left me virtually immobile for several weeks. However the weightlessness of the water finally gave me relief from my discomfort! I continued to use the pool every day for relaxation and pain relief right up until the day of the birth.
I started having contractions early one evening, but I didn't jump straight into the pool. I wanted to wait until the contractions were stronger so that I would feel the full benefit of the water. Instead, I used my hypnobirthing and breathing techniques for the first stage of the labour, which lasted around 12 hours. The following morning though, I felt ready to migrate to the water. I hopped into the pool between contractions and reclined against the side. The warmth and weightlessness provided instant relief and I felt a strong sense of security as the water enveloped me.
After less than an hour, the contractions started to get more intense and I found myself bracing against the sides of the pool and making grunting/mooing noises that didn't sound like they were even coming from me! Suddenly, I had an uncontrollable urge to flip over onto my knees, which I promptly did, and gripped onto the sides of the pool. I could never have changed position so easily had I been on dry land! I was also relieved to have chosen a pool with rigid sides, as I felt completely safe leaning all of my weight against them.
With the next powerful contraction, my daughter's head emerged into the water, and with the following contraction her body was born. She bobbed gently to the surface between my legs and I picked her up for her first cuddle. We cut the cord when it stopped pulsing, and a still sleeping Suzie was passed to her grandma for more cuddles while I delivered the placenta and got out of the pool.
My midwife later told me that Suzie remained sleeping for 45 minutes after the birth, she was so relaxed! I think she may have broken a record!
Looking back at the birth, I am so delighted at the way things went. Thanks to my hypnosis training and the water I was able to have a completely non-medicalised birth, and my daughter couldn't have had a more gentle and perfect entrance into the world.
February 2010
