Ahhhhhh!

Many women find that a spacious tub is a wonderful way to relax, reduce discomfort, conserve their energy, and labor more effectively.

Buoyancy is part of it. The water helps support your weight. Besides making less work for you, it’s much easier to assume whatever position feels most comfortable. Psychology is part of it, too. Many of us are conditioned by long habit to relax and let go in a hot bath.

Finally, warm water immersion touches you all over, flooding your nervous system with pleasant sensations. This allows fewer less pleasant ones to get through.

What about birthing in water?

I like waterbirth. I’ve done waterbirth. I wish I could tell you how it compares in safety to a similar birth ‘on land’, but the data just doesn’t seem to be there.

I’ve not seen anyone deny that there have been some deaths rightfully attributed to being born in water. Usually it’s said that the deaths could have been prevented by managing the waterbirth in a different way. There seems to be good evidence that the risk of serious harm or death is very small, if it exists (I would guess that it does), less than a handful per 1000 when waterbirth is cautiously and wisely done.

I feel that waterbirth should be viewed as a different animal from other "gentle birth" ideas such as dim lights, quiet voices or pre-warmed blankies, which have zero potential to cause harm no matter how they are managed.

Get Informed!

Websites

Waterbirth International
Active Birth Center
Monadnock Birth Center

Documents

Dr. Sears on Water Labor
MIDIRS Informed Choice—Waterbirth
Dr. Ruth Gilbert—Commentary on Waterbirth