🛀 When does water slow down birth? Below is a quote from doula Natalie Meddings of @tellmeagoodbirthstory and I think the philosophy and logic behind it is spot on ❤️ "My two reservations about birth pools - when they become such a decision/event in themselves they distract from what is actually happening. Michel Odent said a contraindication for using a birth pool is when the birth is going well. I make it a policy of never telling or reminding a woman that her pool is ready, or cueing her up in any way. If she wants it, she tell you - that way it's not a decision, it's a feeling an urge for relief. When it's thought out, it can be a distraction and the whole anticipation and preparation of it so often affects flow. when people say their contractions slowed down when they go in, it can be because they got in too early but my feeling is it's also because the move to get in, can sometimes create an upsurge in general activity and chat..the woman then being asked, does that feel nice, how does that feel etc. The other thing is that they're used as and when, and that can lead to being in it for hours, which could well result in the above. I think a bath and/or a shower is the best option when things make that first big shift into labour...in preparation sessions, I explain that it's best used when they feel compelled to get in, i.e. right at the last, when pressure is intense. Then you're only in it for an hour or so and this is the point Odent always meant about it relaxing the body just that notch extra, baby drops just that bit deeper, brain switches off just that bit more that you get a whoosh...and a wonderfully automatic acceleration to a straightforward end." . . . . . #birthpool #birthpartner #postivebirth #pregnancyannoucement #20weekspregnant #12weekscan #birthdoula #homebirth #waterbirth #vbac #kent #doulauk #mindfulbirth #empoweredbirth #dueinseptember #dueinaugust #dueinjune (at Rochester, Medway) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvcG2dfAM8u/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ilt9217qda43