Water Birth Experience

by Sally
(Atlanta, GA)

Baby Joseph

This was my first baby, and I had decided I wanted the most natural birth possible. I had read about water birth and how it was supposed to be soothing for both mother and baby.

I was sure that I would go into labor late since I'd read that first babies were usually late. But lo and behold, I was two weeks early. I woke up early, about 7:45 a.m., and had to go to the bathroom. That's when my contractions started. I thought it was Braxton-Hicks. Although I hadn't experienced any thus far, I had read about them and was sure I wasn't in labor. I tried to go back to sleep, but the contractions were coming about every five minutes or so and kept me awake.

I called my mom while I was sitting in a tub of warm water, and she said I should call the midwife. I told her I thought it was false labor and not to worry. She had had quick deliveries with all her babies, so she thought I might too.

I finally called the midwife, and she told me to come on in. By the time my husband got home to take me, it was about 3 p.m. My contractions never got more than about 45 seconds long and were still fairly far spaced, so I figured I had plenty of time.

I got to the midwife's office at about 4:30 p.m., and when she checked me I was 8 cm dilated! She couldn't believe I was still walking around like I was and told me to head on across the street to the hospital.

The water was very soothing, but it was still a very painful, quick labor. At one point, I was a wild woman screaming at the top of my lungs uncontrollably. I knew it was doing no good, but I felt so helpless and out of control, and I couldn't express anything in words although I knew everything that was going on with me.

My husband was great (and was supposed to be my coach), but the best he could do was tell me "just try to relax," wipe my forehead, and feed me ice chips.

The "ring of fire" was the worst part. Once the baby's head was out I began to feel a bit panicked to hurry and get him out, thinking he might be in trouble if I didn't. It seemed like quite a few pushes, but I was determined to endure the pain and get it over with.

I was in the water 3 hours before my final push. My beautiful baby boy "torpedoed" out of me exactly 12 hours after the first contractions started, and the midwife placed him on my arms. He cried a short, low cry and then stared right at me (just like in this picture). We were too busy to think of pictures right away, but this picture captures the very look in his eyes the first time I saw him. He has been the joy of our lives ever since.