The Benefits of Water Birth

The Benefits of Water for Labor and/or Birth
Prepare that deep home bathtub or rent a portable birthing pool in advance!

Karil Daniels & Andrea Eastman, Mary Ceallaigh

Greater comfort and mobility. The mother has much greater ease and freedom to
move spontaneously and to change position to assist the descent of the baby. The
mother feels primally comforted by the water and is naturally even more attuned to her
baby within the waters of her own womb.

Reduction of pressure on the abdomen. Buoyancy promotes more efficient uterine
contractions and better blood circulation, resulting in better oxygenation of the uterine
muscles, less pain for the mother, and more oxygen for the baby.

Helps mother to conserve her energy. Immersion at various times during labor reduces
opposition to gravity; supports the mother's weight so that her energy can be used to
cope and expand with the contractions.

Promotes deeper relaxation on many levels. As a woman relaxes deeply in water, her
hormones kick in and she starts progressing faster and with more rhythm; labor becomes
more efficient. Water relaxes the pelvic floor muscles and also the perineum, greatly
reducing the chances of significant tearing.

Water minimizes pain so effectively that for most women other pain control techniques
are no longer needed. Water stimulates the touch and temperature nerve fibers in the
skin. It blocks impulses from the pain fibers, known as the Gate Theory of Pain.
Immersion in water is often more effective and definitely safer than an epidural (no risk
of spinal perfusion! - to name one of several risks of epidurals).   Some people call
waterbirth an "aquadural."

Laboring women feel more beautiful in water. The gracefulness of buoyancy and the
soothing sounds of swirling water and little splashes have a comforting way of reminding
a woman of her innate strengths, gratitude, and joy - comparable only to the similar
qualities of private lovemaking during labor.

Water can transform a dysfunctional labor. Water can be an effective way to
stimulate dilation of the cervix when the mother has difficulty progressing into the
active stage of labor. (Making love with the baby's committed father in labor is also
excellent, as semen has specific, well-documented cervix-relaxing properties - however
it requires a great deal of privacy which must be planned for in advance)!
Water, like making love, can reduce the need for drugs to artificially stimulate labor.
Often, simply getting into the tub will result in dramatic and rapid progress to full
dilation within an hour or two. Laboring women also greatly relax just by hearing the
sounds of running water.

Lowering of blood pressure. When anxiety is causing high blood pressure, immersion in
water often helps lower it.

Change of consciousness. Immersion helps relieve anxiety and promotes relaxation,
just like lovemaking. Water helps a woman to let go and focus inward as labor
strengthens.

Easier breathing. Moisture in the air makes it easier to breathe and can be especially
helpful to women with asthma.

Facilitates the second stage of labor. Many mothers are less inhibited in the water.
The warm water softens the vagina, vulva, and perineum, leading to fewer injuries to
these tissues.

Many women experience rapid second stages, with the baby emerging minutes after
the body starts the involuntary pushing, also known as the fetus ejection reflex (see
Odent, The Nature of Birth and Breastfeeding). This is much less stressful than prolonged
second stages of 3+ hours.

Empowerment of the mother. When a woman spends part of her labor immersed in
warm water and even feels her baby slide out of her in waterbirth, it greatly enhances
the birth experience for her and becomes a source of great personal strength and power
that enriches her life forever. Her experience of labor is awake, sensuous, aware and in
control/secure.

Greater involvement of the father - when fathers are more involved it increases the
possibility of a joyous birth. Because the mother's pain and stress is so greatly reduced,
it is much easier for fathers to relax and take a more active intuitive role in the birthing
process. Many men are reluctant to become involved in the birth experience when they
expect that the mother is likely to endure intense pain, trauma and suffering during labor
and delivery. Upon being educated about the potentials for pleasure in birthing, most
men start to look forward to their role, even planning on joining the woman in the
laboring pool!

Enhanced family relationships. When the mother's relaxation is dramatically increased,
many fathers eagerly participate more in labor support and, in homebirth settings, even
catch their own babies, resulting in a greater family bond. Both parents and child get to
share a wondrous experience that can enhance their relationships with each other for
the rest of their lives.

Deep parent-child bonding and joyful parenting. A mother who has had a beautiful and
empowering birth experience will have an especially positive association in her mind
and emotions to that child; and a baby who has had an easy, non-violent, gentle labor
journey and birth welcoming will have an especially positive association to the parent.
This exceptionally positive start to their relationship will likely enhance the parent-child
interactions forever.

Evolving humanity in a positive direction. Many psychologists believe that babies born
gently grow up to become more peaceful adults, and have a greater ability to deal with
problems non-violently.

Preparing for a Water Labor/Birth:

1. Be aware that most medical providers use submergable ultrasonic dopplers to do fetal
heart monitoring, and exposure to high frequency sound waves disrupts the red blood
cells in the fetal arterial circulation, with unknown long term effects which can be a
concern.   Consider the option of non-ultrasound fetoscope monitoring for the bulk of
your labor, which will entail having suitable props with which to raise your lower belly
up out of the water, in a variety of positions. During pregnancy, pursue the topic with
your care provider, and explore your possibilities.

2. Be aware that there are a variety of portable water pools that you can labor in at
home before transitioning to the hospital, and that some hospitals permit clients to bring
their own pool and hoses/attachments.

3. Be aware of the water heater situation in your home or birth center. Have alternate
hot water options should you run out.

4.   Be aware that many women experience a slowing down of labor if they sink into
deep warm water early in labor... use other coping techniques and showers, and
postpone your entry into the birth pool until you really need some extra help.

5. Know that your body may clear the lower digestive tract a bit as the baby's head
descends, and care providers are happily there to assist with speedy removal of anything
by using a netted scoop.

6. Know that you can stay in the pool for a lotus birth in the precious moments after the
placenta is born... it is simply placed in a floating plastic bowl near the mother, or held
by someone else very nearby in a ceramic or glass bowl.

"It's YOUR birth, and it is not only your right but also your responsibility to create a
laboring environment & birthing intention that soothes your soul and nurtures your
security as a woman - as well your intimacy as a couple." - Mary Ceallaigh

Resources: Daniels, 1986; Balaskas, 1990; Lichy, 1993; Napierala, 1994