‘The pool lived up to all my expectations and memories of Edwin’s birth. A 2hr labour instead of 13 1/2 hrs made the experience a delight. I was not completely exhausted. Very, very magical’

Caroline Taylor, Stevenage

   ‘Can’t believe anyone would want to give birth any other way. Every woman should have the option of a water pool in hospital.’

Monica Cornall, London, SE15

   ‘This is the 2nd time I have used a pool and I think expectant mums should be given /offered pools automatically. I can see no other way of giving birth – to me it makes total sense – it (the pool)’s a great focusing circle which is entirely yours and private, relaxing and comforting.’

Lorraine Ashbourne, Crouch Hill, London, N8   

   ‘I couldn’t relax until I was in the water. Dilation progressed quite quickly even out of the water so by about 2.3am I could get into the pool. It felt great even if my legs were shaking with fatigue for the first 1/2 hr. It took a few contractions to find a good position in the pool, but after that it was great.’

Andrea Blotkamp, London, E10

   ‘My baby’s birth was very calm and peaceful. The midwife said it was beautiful – and what midwifery should be about. She was struck by the contrast between the home water birth and the hospital room birth. My midwife allowed several seconds to pass before bringing the baby out of the water – this gave me time to see him and to reach down to bring him out of the water myself. "

Mandy Vroonen, Belgium, July 2000

   " I had a fantastic experience overall and was stunned and thrilled that I had a completely drug-free delivery. The birth of my first baby had involved full intervention, prolonged labour, epidural, etc (17 yrs ago though!!). I wasn’y allowed to give birth in the pool as the midwives were not trained, so I had to get out for 2nd stage. This worked out fine as I felt happy to be more upright, though I noticed a huge difference as I felt extremely heavy out of the water and needed support etc."

Helen Howie, Glasgow July 2000

    "Fantastic relief when I took the tens machine off and got in pool at 5cm dilation - I was worried that the pain might get worse, but the water really lessened it. Even when contractions were very powerful, it was very comforting to be in water."

Beth Starr, New York

   "Excellent, I felt fantastic as soon as I got in - it took all the pain out of my back and pelvis - I couldn't believe it. I didn't expect it to be so good."

Donna Lowery, Newcastle

   "The pool was great to provide a safe warm space for me and to give me relief from gravity. I felt like I had a sort of womb around me and that I had more control over the situation"

Lorraine Berk, London

   "I felt really tired quite early on as I hadn't slept much the night before - but the water held me and allowed me to enter myself in my own world and gather strength."

Susan Ploitsky, Reading

   "It was a mind blowing, earth shattering experience. At many moments I felt I couldn't do it but in the end my body was powerful and compelled me to - such an empowering experience. I can no longer consider myself a comfort junkie."

Jane Muthers, Edinburgh

   "The birth was wonderful. I only used the pool in the last hour of my labour, which was 9 hours in total, but the water was crucial because that was the point at which I felt I was losing control - I was tensing against the pain, which was making it worse, and I needed an extra relaxant, which the water gave me"

Lois Collinge, Barnstable

"The birth was a fantastic experience, no complications, being active was essential, The pool facilitated greater comfort and buoyancy, useful as I have a knee injury which usually interferes with kneeling, but this was not a problem in the pool. Having a midwife who was confident and experienced with water birth was a great gift I felt I could trust her."

Michele Knowles, Birmingham

   "Excellent! I felt fantastic as soon as I got in - it took all the pain out of my back and pelvis - I couldn't believe it and I didn't expect it to be so good.'

Philippa Jones, London

   "I feel totally elated having moved the whole spectrum from an emergency caesarean last time to a totally natural water birth at home. I wouldn't do it any other way'.

Loiuse Davison, Glasgow

   'It was a fantastic relief. Even when the contractions were very powerful , it was comfortable to be in the water.'

Barbara Waltham, Colchester

   'I felt like I had a sort of womb around me and that I had more control over the situation.'

Sarah Threasdale, Cumbria

   'Giving birth in the water was a mind blowing, earth shattering experience. At many moments I felt like I couldn't do it, but my body compelled me to. Such an empowering experience!'

Vardit Kohn

   "fantastic relief when I took tens machine off and got in pool at 5cm dilation - worried pain might get worse but really improved it. Even when contractions were very powerful very comforting to be in water in combo yoga breathing"

Shelley Stevenson

   "Excellent, I felt fantastic as soon as I got in - it took all the pain out of my back and pelvis - I couldn't believe it and I didn't expect it to be so good.

Gillian Dawson

   "the birth was wonderful. I only used the pool in the last hour (of a 9 hour labour from the very start) but it was crucial because that was the point at which I felt I was losing control - I was tensing against the pain, which was making it worse, and I needed an extra relaxant, which the water gave me"

Linda Barnes, Edmonton

   "very painful contractions, stop chatting its becoming hard to manage pain. 2am - get into tub, instant relief, soothing weight lifted off, relax, feel more energy and ability to cope with pain, very focused. Become almost unaware of my surroundings I am so inside myself.

Julia Murphy, Belfast

   "Expecting a break (transition) before pushing stage but get none. I start to feel the urge to push, tell my partner to get in the tub quick, the baby is coming. Facing my partner arms around his neck midwife catches the baby passes her through my legs to partner and he lifts her into the air and hands her to me. Stay in pool another 10 min then get out to deliver the placenta"

Sarah Waterstone

   "I will certainly use one again next time around. And I wouldn't be so concerned about labour and birth as the main reason why the pool was here. It just didn't matter that the pool wasn't used during my sons birth, it was put to great use at every other conceivable time."

Mary Pigeon

   "Everything went so incredibly well, the whole birth was an amazingly experience. The birth was very fertile and non-traumatic for the baby (and the mother) Daisy is very contented and at ease in the world"

Mrs Michelle Thornley

   "The pool yet again met all my expectations. Again no tear and I am convinced the water helps you stay in control in the final stages. Harry came out so peaceful and calm that the transition to outside world was slow, warm water to lie in until he had adjusted to being born. I am sure all helps to aid in having a happy contented baby."

Kim Peterson, Salisbury

   Without your services of the pool and wonderful staff both my labours would not of been as wonderful as they were. I would like to thank all the people involved at the centre. Thanks a million"

Stephanie Starr

   "would recomment it to everyone. Good pain relief. Chance to rest and calm down somewhat , the pool at home creates more control in birth - stops doctors etc etc interfering, more respect for women giving birth"

Mr & Mrs Towers

   "I was in the pool during this time continously for 3 hour gaining confidence & power I found the boundary of the pool very helpful in finding my own strength ,not leaning on others I became very defensive of this space & anyone invading it or weakening the process of coming into my power.

   At 7.30p.m. the midwife checked me & I was 9cm dilated with an anterior lip of cervix. She tried various positions out of the & the lip moved. I returned to the pool for the 2nd stage & pushed him out within 1 hour. He was born into the water. I sat with him on my lap for 10 minutes before my husband cut the cord. He was weighed and I pushed the placenta out in the pool.

   In my mind the pool was essential in assisting me to find my power to dilate and engage with the labour fully. Without it I think I might well have transferred to hospital for augmentation and probably further ntervention. I am very grateful for the pool for a wonderful birth for my son.

Lynda Ross

   "I only used the pool after the birth and it was fantastic. Immediately relieved pressure and pain folowing a very quick delivery"

Shirley Skretny

   "In both water births I’ve had the water has made the labour really get going. The contractions were slow and not very painfull but as soon as I got in the pool, the contractions became much stronger and quicker.Both times I enjoyed the water such a lot. The water helped me feel secure"

Jessica Strachwitz Hamilton

   "Would highly recommend water birth to anyone comfortable in water - totally different experience to my last birth when I had an epidural (only effective on left side) stitches etc etc which was very frightening. Totally relaxed, happy (painful but copeable) birth - no stitches and quick recovery afterwards. Thank you for providing the service."

Michelle Bates

   "At about 7am I got in the pool and the water was wonderfdul. I just sat for the first _ hour then after a while I slipped over onto all fours. About 8.10 the midwife said I could push whenever I was ready I was astounded it felt like I had only been in the water for 10 mins after 3 pushes my daughter was born. We stayed in the water until 8.45 after she had the first feed and the placenta came out. It was all so easy. I would thoroughly recommend a water birth to anyone, my husband was most impressed as were my children aged 7 and 8. "

Louise Sutton

   "Absolute bliss, felt protected and safe and warm"

   "was using TENS while pool was filled. Pool filled quite quickly about 1hr. Was examined by midwife 4-5cms. Took TENS off and entered pool - warm and blissful Felt needed help with pain so used gas and air as well as rocking and floating in the pool. Was aware of Molly moving down but exclusive contrtactions eased off about 1 inch from her head.

   Nothing seemed to be happening so it was advised to get out of the pool to allow gravity to help her out. Expulsive contractions were still weak so pushed hard on my own She was delivered 50 mins after exiting pool, big 8lb 14oz pink, crying and healthy. I feel because of the water and slowness of descent and delivery of Molly I suffered no tears or piles so could sit comfortably afterwards - wonderful"

Lucy Maddox, Manchester