Water is loved for its calming and therapeutic qualities and many women explore using it to ease labour and birth.
From reducing stress to enhancing physical comfort, water can play a transformative role in the birthing journey.
In this blog, I explore the various ways water can support labour and birth, considering both the benefits and risks to help you make an informed choice that feels right for you and your baby.
Different Uses of Water During Labour and Birth
Water can be incorporated into labour and birth in a few different ways:
Labouring in Water (Hydrotherapy)
Hydrotherapy involves using warm water to soothe and relax during labour. This can take place in a large birthing pool, bathtub, or even a shower. Many women find that water immersion during labour provides a sense of weightlessness, easing the intensity of contractions and helping them focus on their breathing and relaxation.
Water Birth
A water birth is when the baby is delivered while the mother is in the water. This is often done in a birthing pool designed for labour and birth, where both comfort and safety are priorities. Babies born in water experience a gentler transition from womb to world, as the warm water mirrors the amniotic fluid environment they’ve known for 9 months!
Shower Therapy
For those who may not want or have access to a birthing pool, standing or sitting in a warm shower can provide similar benefits. The rhythmic sensation of water cascading over the body can relax muscles and offer targeted relief to areas like the back and shoulders.
Benefits of Water in Labour and Birth
Pain Relief
Water immersion can naturally reduce the sensation of pain. The warmth relaxes muscles and can lower the levels of adrenaline in the body, which promotes the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. Many women find that water is especially helpful during active labour when contractions become more intense.
Increased Relaxation
The buoyancy of water allows a feeling of weightlessness, which helps alleviate some of the pressure on joints and muscles. This relaxation often results in smoother, more efficient contractions, allowing the body to work in harmony with the labour process.
Freedom of Movement
Water’s buoyancy allows greater freedom to shift positions, move and sway, which can encourage the baby to descend more efficiently and help the woman feel more in control.
Calmer Birth Experience for Baby
Babies born in water may benefit from a more gentle transition from the womb to the outside world. Entering the water first, rather than the air, can reduce the shock of birth, leading to a calm, smoother arrival.
Privacy and Control
Being in water can provide a comforting sense of privacy and control, which many birthing parents find essential to feeling safe and empowered during labour and birth.
Risks and Considerations
While the use of water in labour and birth has many benefits, it’s essential to consider potential risks:
Risk of Infection
Using a sterile birthing pool and following strict hygiene practices can minimise infection risks, but the presence of bacteria in the water can pose a concern. Birth pools should be properly sanitised and water should be kept at an appropriate temperature to limit exposure to harmful bacteria.
Temperature Management
Maintaining the right water temperature is crucial. If the water is too hot, it may increase the woman’s body temperature, which could affect the baby’s heart rate. The recommended water temperature is typically between 36-37 degrees (96-98 degrees Fahrenheit) to support a safe and comfortable environment.
Monitoring Challenges
Water birth may limit the ease of fetal monitoring, which some birthing facilities may consider essential, particularly if there are any concerns about the baby’s heart rate or positioning. Your healthcare team will assess whether water birth is appropriate and how monitoring can best be managed if you’re in water.
Emergency Situations
In rare cases, an emergency may arise that requires moving quickly out of the water, which may be challenging in a water birth scenario. Having a supportive, prepared birthing team on hand can help ensure that any necessary adjustments can be made swiftly and safely.
Making the Decision: Is Water Right for You?
Choosing to use water in labour or birth is a personal decision and what feels right to one may not be suitable for another. Consider the following questions to help you make an informed choice:
How does water impact your relaxation and comfort?
Does your birthing location support water labour or birth?
Are you comfortable with the risks associated with a water birth?
Do you have a supportive birthing team that respects your choice?
Talking with your midwife or healthcare provider is essential to ensuring that water can be safely integrated into your birth plan.
Preparing for a Water Labour or Birth
If you’re considering water, a few preparations can make the experience smoother:
Discuss with Your Healthcare Team
Make sure your midwife or doctor is aware of your wishes and can help you understand any location-specific guidelines around water birth.
Familiarise Yourself with a Pool or Tub
If possible, practice using the birthing pool or tub beforehand, even if it’s at home or in a similar setup, so you’re familiar with how it feels and how you can move comfortably.
Stay Hydrated
Labour can be physically demanding, and water immersion can sometimes lead to dehydration. Make sure you have plenty of water and electrolyte-rich drinks available.
In conclusion, water can provide incredible support during labour and birth, enhancing both physical comfort and emotional calm. Whether you choose to labour in water, experience a water birth, or simply use a warm shower to soothe your muscles, the right approach is the one that empowers and uplifts you. Embrace what feels right for you, and remember that every choice you make on this journey is a testament to the love and strength you bring into birthing your baby.
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Rox
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