My first birth, which was described as normal in my medical notes, took place in hospital in the late 80’s, subject to the kind of aggressive management and cascade of intervention that was commonplace then and is still not unusual enough today!  I had my second, 14 years later and spent most of that pregnancy scared about the birth, until I read “Birth Your Way” by Sheila Kitzinger and began to consider a home birth.  

Our next baby was born 3 years later, again at home into water, but with an Independent Midwife (Jo Watson), because we had moved house and my new Lead Community Midwife did not seem to be able to handle our request for a straightforward water-birth at home.  She had lots of reservations about my birth plan and told me at our very first meeting that studies have shown that it was dangerous.  She was personally not in favour and when asked why, said that this was because “babies do not have gills”.  Her concern was that the baby would be at greater risk of pneumonia and death and all sorts of other complications.   When asked for references to support her assertions, for me to look up, she offered to forward them to me but never did.  She did not refuse to deliver the baby underwater, but said that she did not feel it was safe and would only do it if I insisted. 

She felt that a natural Third Stage in water had again been shown to be undesirable and said she would definitely medically manage it, partly because of the risk of blood draining from the baby back to me and depriving the baby and partly because having had one bleed, I would be almost certain to bleed again . 

We asked whether there might be other midwives within the team who would be more comfortable with water-birth and were told quite defensively that it would not be possible to have another Lead Midwife.  We were then told that in any case, most of the other 21 community midwives within the team (who we would not be able to meet as too numerous) shared her own views about these issues.   

We were so shocked and upset that we didn’t challenge any of this, even though we are both informed and confident people, are aware of our rights and were aware that many of her views weren’t backed up by evidence.  We had already done a lot of research into birth and safety, prior to our first home birth decision but even with one great home water-birth under our belts, we were really shaken by this meeting.  I now dreaded my birth and felt really afraid – I cried many times whilst we tried to work out what to do.  We felt our chances of a safe birth were again definitely a lot higher at home and with someone who we could trust.  After further checking our research, we still had no qualms about another water-birth, so we decided to go for an Independent Midwife.  We were made very clear about the insurance situation from the start.  Our midwife was an angel, thoroughly versed in evidence-based practice, very experienced and confident and we had a most amazing water birth.  We were open-minded when we met her about the issue of a natural Third Stage.  However, Jo felt that the bleed had almost definitely been caused by early cutting of the cord last time and felt there was really no reason not to go for a natural Third Stage.  My son was nearly 2lbs heavier than our previous baby but I did not haemorrhage – the birth was entirely a “hands-off” affair (apart from wonderful massage) and relaxed, with full trust between everyone there.  No vaginal examinations at all, no episiotomy and only a small tear which healed with almost no pain. 

I will do almost anything (!) to support this cause and just wish this type of support was available to all women through the NHS, as it should be. (ex-client)