Maternity Information Leaflet The Birthing Pool

We hope that the following information will be helpful if you are considering using the birthing pool for labour and/or delivery of your baby. Use of the pool is subject to availability but we will do our best to accommodate your wishes so please do tell us as soon as possible if you are hoping to use the pool. There are a number of benefits of labouring in the water and delivering your baby in the pool. The water often helps you to relax and when this happens, your body produces endorphins which are our own natural pain relievers. The labour is sometimes shorter in the water and you have more freedom to move around in the pool. Some women find that in this more relaxed environment they can behave more instinctively. The birth is usually more gentle for your baby with a gentle introduction to light, sound and touch. You are also less likely to need stitches with a water birth. In order to use the pool: • • • •

You must have experienced an uncomplicated pregnancy and be in normal spontaneous labour. You must have reached at least 37 weeks of pregnancy. The baby should be in the cephalic position (head down). Your BMI at booking should be less than 35.

Two midwives may be present for your baby’s birth. As well as support for your midwife, it may help with training and experience for the other midwife. We want to make sure the labour and birth are as safe as possible for you and your baby so we have a few requirements to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

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It is important to have a birth partner with you whilst you are in labour in the pool, both for physiological support and if you need to be helped out of the pool. Your birth partner also has the responsibility to make sure you both stay hydrated as it can get hot. Please make sure your birth partner has plenty of drinks with him/her. If you want music whilst you are in labour, your birth partner can be responsible for this. Anyone entering the pool should shower beforehand to reduce the risk of infection to the baby. Partners must wear swimming trunks or a swimming costume if they are getting into the pool with you. Tread very carefully; the floor may be wet and slippery. Please provide your own non-slip shoes. Please bring two or three large bath towels to wrap around you when you get out of the water as it can feel cold. A towelling robe is ideal but bring things that you don't mind getting dirty. Some women choose to get out of the water in the second stage of labour to deliver their baby. Some prefer to stay in the pool for the actual delivery. You do not have to decide until you are in the pool and you might want to see how you feel as the birth becomes closer. Your midwife is responsible for you and the safety of your baby so you must respect her judgement. There may come a time when the midwife asks you to leave the pool. This may only be for a short time to allow her to assess you and your baby and you can get back in again as long as there are no problems.

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The midwife may need you to leave the pool for longer but this is usually only if there are unexpected complications or you want to be given Pethidine/Diamorphine as pain relief. You cannot immediately use the pool if you have been given Pethidine/Diamorphine as it will make you drowsy and this is unsafe. After around 2-4 hours, your midwife will advise if you are alert enough to get back into the pool safely. You may also be asked to leave the pool for the delivery of the placenta. The Birth At the moment of birth it is important that you listen carefully to the midwife. Your partner will be able to support you. The baby will be delivered under the water and then brought to the surface whilst being supported by your midwife. As your baby comes to the surface you will be able to take hold of him/ her. The baby’s head should be kept out of the water and the body submerged to keep your baby warm. Your baby may be put to the breast to suckle almost immediately if you wish. There is a lot of advice available about having your baby in water. Whilst we cannot endorse or recommend the information they provide, the following websites have more details: Babyworld www.babyworld.co.uk The Good Birth www.the good birth.co.uk

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Further Information NHS Choices Website — www.nhs.uk National Institute for Clinical Excellence — www.nice.org.uk

Contact details: St Richard’s Hospital, Spitalfield Lane, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6SE Labour ward: Antenatal Clinic:

01243 831433 01243 788122 ext. 2871

Worthing Hospital, Lyndhurst Road, Worthing West Sussex, BN11 2DH Labour Ward: Antenatal Clinic:

01903 285138 01903 205111 ext. 4371

We are committed to making our publications as accessible as possible. If you need this document in an alternative format, for example, large print, Braille or a language other than English, please contact the Communications Office by: email: [email protected] Or by calling 01903 205 111 ext 4038. www.westernsussexhospitals.nhs.uk Department:

Maternity

Issue date:

April 2014

Review date:

March 2017

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