Water birth in leeds
Water is great at helping you get comfortable during labour. There is so much evidence that it helps to relax you and also to manage pain. Lots of women aim to have water births because of this. But giving birth in the water is not the only way you can make use of the benefits of water in birth.
If you are hoping to have a water birth, you have probably researched your chosen birth place’s access to birth pools. In Leeds, the Lotus Midwifery Unit (a separate, low risk, midwife led unit attached to the LGI) has 3 rooms with birthing pools. The delivery suite at the LGI has 1 water birth room and the suite at St James’ has 2 water birth rooms. Depending where you live in Leeds, Harrogate hospital may also be an option for you. At Harrogate, there is a birthing pool in the low-risk birth room as well as 5 dedicated delivery rooms with en suite wet rooms. I really do recommend you research your birth place as it will have a big impact on how in control you feel around your birth and on how well you are able to harness your oxytocin. The more comfortable you feel, the more likely you are to have a beYOUtiful birth.
If you are hoping to have a water birth at home, you can purchase your own birth pool from various sites. Birth Pool in a Box are very high quality pools and you can buy them as kits with everything you will need (liner/tap adapter etc.). Alternatively, there is the Leeds and Wakefield Community Birth Pool Hire Scheme, a fantastic voluntary-run resource, where you can hire your birth pool. Contact them via the Facebook page linked above.
If you are not planning on having your baby in water, you may still find water useful in your labour. Water is a fantastic, natural pain reliever and is relatively easy to use. Wherever you are planning to birth, it is usually recommended that you labour as long as possible at home. This is also a great way to ensure your oxytocin is flowing freely, as most of us feel most comfortable at home. While you are there, you can make use of a warm bath or shower or even a warm flannel on your lower back to help ease any discomfort you may be feeling. During your pregnancy, you may well have used baths to help you relax so hopefully your body and mind will associate the bath with a feeling of comfort and relaxation.
I hope this has been useful and given you some food for thought. Always remember to follow your medical team’s advice and do what feels right for you. It is your birth and no-one else’s!
Yours,
Rhi
