Waterbirth

Having a pool of water available in a birth room changes the atmosphere immediately.  Voices get softer, the mother stays calmer and everyone becomes less stressed.

The effect of buoyancy that deep water immersion creates allows spontaneous movement of the mother.  No one has to help the mother get into a new position. She moves as her body and the position of the baby dictate.  Movement helps open the pelvis, allowing the baby to descend.

When a woman in labour relaxes in a warm deep bath, free from gravity’s pull on her body, with sensory stimulation reduced, her body is less likely to secrete stress-related hormones. This allows her body to produce the pain inhibitors-endorphins-that complement labour. Noradrenaline and catecholamines, the hormones that are released during stress, actually raise the blood pressure and can inhibit or slow labour. A labouring woman who is able to relax physically, is able to relax mentally as well. Many women, midwives, and doctors acknowledge the analgesic effect of water. Thousands of these mothers state they would never be able to consider labouring without water again.

Support in water is one of the most beneficial things that can be offered to a woman in labour.  The water provides a calming influence and a peaceful relaxed atmosphere. Women report that they enjoy their labours and find that the water allows complete freedom of movement and deep concentration.

When a baby is born, the air touching the skin and cord are signal to the baby's body that it should start to breathe. This is the main reason why having a baby in the water is possible.

Benefits of Waterbirth

- Facilitates mobility and enables the mother to assume any position which is comfortable for labour and birth
- Speeds up labour
- Reduces blood pressure
- Gives mother more feelings of control
- Provides significant pain relief
- Promotes relaxation
- Conserves her energy
- Reduces the need for drugs and interventions 
- Gives mother a private protected space
- Reduces perineal trauma and eliminates episiotomies
- Reduces caesarean section rates
- Is highly rated by mothers - typically stating they would consider giving birth in water again
- Is highly rated by experienced providers
- Encourages an easier birth for mother and a gentler welcome for baby

Having a Waterbirth in Canberra

Hospitals that may offer the option of having waterbirth at the time this article was posted:

Queanbeyan District Hospital
The Birth Centre

Homebirth also offers the opportunity to have a waterbirth.

Resources for Waterbirth

Choosing Waterbirth, a book by Lakshmi Bertram
Gentle Birth Choices, a DVD by Barbara Harper
www.waterbirthinternational.com

* Some of the information on this page was borrowed with thanks from Waterbirth International.

Back to Planning Your Birth.