Water Birth Basics
Laboring and giving birth in water was once considered an “alternative” method of childbirth, but it is becoming more accepted in mainstream circles. And for good reason – the research and experiences of women are showing that waterbirth is a safe and often more pleasant way to have a baby.
Why Waterbirth
“When you hurt, where does it feel best? In a nice warm tub,” explains Teresa Howard, a doula who has attended over 339 births, many of them waterbirths. “The buoyancy and warmth are relaxing, and invoke that relaxation in labor.”
Research has shown that women are less likely to need pain medications when laboring in water. Waterbirth has also been shown to reduce the risk of episiotomy and perennial tears, and to shorten the first stage of labor. Risk of infection was once a concern, but as long as the birth pool is properly cleaned and sanitized, this isn’t a problem.
While doctors once feared waterbirth could lead to newborns aspirating water or drowning, they now know this is not a risk factor, as long as the child is removed from the water soon after the birth. The newborn’s reflex to breath isn’t activated until the child’s head comes in contact with air.
How to Arrange for a Waterbirth
First, you should know that deciding to labor in water doesn’t mean you have to give birth there. You can decide to labor in the water, but give birth outside of the water. The options are open.
If you think you would like to labor or give birth in water, discuss this with your midwife or doctor as soon as possible. If they don’t offer waterbirth, and this is an option you really want, you may need to switch providers.
Depending on where you’re giving birth – in the hospital, birth center, or at home – some reservations or arrangements may need to be made. If you’re having your baby in a hospital or birth center, ask about the availability of the birthing tubs. You don’t want to find out on the day you have the baby that there are only three birth pools available, and you needed to sign up beforehand to get one.
Some women rent birthing pools to bring to the hospital (again, check the hospital’s policy first), which is another option to consider. If you’re having your baby at home, ask your midwife or doctor for their suggestions on finding an appropriate birthing pool to rent.
Your child’s wading pool, by the way, is not a good place to labor or try to give birth. Besides the difficulty in cleaning it well, you need a good amount of depth to feel comfortable and achieve the best pain relief results.
Giving birth in water can be an amazing experience. It’s important, however, to see laboring in water as just one possibility. “Water is a great place to be in labor, and a gentle way to birth,” Teresa explains, “but it can't be about the water. You need to birth, and if you want to be in the water, and it feels good and right, then stay and birth there. It is a gentle passage from the mom's body into the tub. But if a woman in labor makes it about the tub, then she will be forcing it to birth in water.”
If waterbirth sounds like something you’d like to try, make preparations early on and be sure you have the option available. But, when it comes time to have the baby, be sure to do what feels right, for you.