Water Birth
5 Amazing Benefits of a Water Birth and the Evidence to Support Its Safety
“I craved being in the water when I was pregnant. I felt so weightless and comfortable. My water birth was spiritual and empowering. I got to pull my baby out of the water. The contractions felt more manageable. I didn’t tear. I birthed squatted with one knee down which I don’t think I could’ve done as easily outside of the water…” —-Carrissa
“I loved laboring in the tub but absolutely must be in it to deliver. it's not that it takes the pain away for me, it just feels like the safest place i could be for both myself and baby.” —-Racquel
“Warm, private, sensations that could help take me out of my head. I did a lot of breathing practice and positive birth daydreaming while in a heated pool or the bath so I built it in as a safe mental space for birth.” —Alida
photo credit: Mother Wolf Birth Photography
I don’t think I have enough space or time to offer all the first-hand experiences of women loving their water births. If you’ve ever wondered “is water birth safe” or thought about water birth benefits vs risks, I’m so glad you’re here!
Water birth can often be described as magical because of its many benefits. Either for the mother or baby, water birth has been a sought-after practice since the early 1800s. It gained fame in the late 1980s/1990 and then researchers dove into the evidence to support what women already know.
Some of my favorite births have been with women who have chosen water birth and I’m excited to share my research and experience with you.
Difference Between Laboring in the Water and Water Birth
When a woman chooses to labor in the water she may also choose to get out and birth “on land” instead of staying in the water for her baby's birth. This would not be labeled a water birth but rather a labor that used water – or hydrotherapy – to ease the discomfort of labor or to use its many other benefits.
When a mother is left to her own devices, she may say “I only want to labor in water and then get out for the birth” and then change her mind in the moment and birth in the water. Or she may get out when she feels like pushing and give birth “on land”. There is no right or wrong here! In mother-led physiological labor and birth, you are in charge.
But there are multiple benefits to laboring and birthing in the water and that’s what I want to review today.
Benefits of a Water Birth
Perhaps you’ve heard friends say, “the water is the only place I’ll have a baby” or “I just can’t imagine having a natural labor without my birth pool”. These are just the beginning of the benefits of water birth.
Natural Pain Relief
Large needle, numerous side effects, confined to bed or freedom to move, instant relief through contractions, and safe space free from touching. Yeah, I’d choose the latter option as well. And this is especially true if you choose a home birth! An epidural is not an option at home but many women have said they wouldn’t even consider an epidural because their birth pool is so relaxing.
Though I understand that epidurals have their place and time, the majority of women don’t need an epidural to get through labor. But unfortunately, many women don’t know that water birth is an option and so when they’re at the height of intensity of labor, they may not know how else to manage their pain.
But what if, she was offered a warm pool of water that decreased her stress and pain, which in turn helped her body to relax and open resulting in more physiological labor?
I mean it’s a no-brainer when you realize that water birth has been shown to greatly improve the comfort level of women through labor and that women would choose it over an epidural, if only they had the option.²
Safe Space
Many women claim that their favorite part about a birth pool is that they have their own safe space. Sure it’s small but if you’ve ever been in labor, whether at home or the hospital, you know that it’s hard to relax when you feel watched.
This is the physiological response to fear! Our bodies are made to close up when we don’t feel safe but in the birth pool, you are in charge. You can say yes or no to intervention and you’re allowed to move as you need without touching or restriction.
Many women report that choosing a water birth is empowering and offers a sense of control in such an uncontrollable situation.
Sense of Modesty and Control
When you’re in labor, there isn’t much you can control. So for many women, it is a scary time and may be overwhelming. But many mothers say that the water gave them a sense of control and added an element of modesty that they didn't experience on land.
Now you might say, Lennon, who cares about modesty during birth? Well, you might be surprised! If a woman is readily able to relax and not worry about who is looking at and touching her, she is more likely to let her body open and not need to be in control.
Audrey said, “Pain relief and freedom of movement are my top reasons. (for choosing water birth) The other benefits I enjoy are reduced tearing, a clean baby, and a feeling of modesty.”
Ease of Catching Your Baby
The water is a wonderful place to catch your own baby if you choose. Because you’re able to move into whatever position feels right, much more easily than on land, you’re more likely to choose a position that facilitates you catching your own baby.
One mother said that the fact that she was the first person to touch her baby through pushing and then know the precise moment to pull her baby to her chest was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. It was exactly the way her baby needed to be born.
Better Transition For Your Baby
Many mothers believe that choosing water birth helped their babies with a better transition to their new life.
Our babies grow in a womb of water so for them to transition to new life in water, it may be that the baby is less shocked and there is less trauma.
Multiple studies have shown that babies born in the water have better APGAR scores than babies born on land. An APGAR score is a 5-point observation test used to assess a baby's transition to life. ¹ 2
And if there is a concern about the baby being too cold in water birth, studies show that allowing the baby to get all his cord blood helps with temperature regulation. That’s part of the reason why I am strongly in favor of delayed cord clamping. ³
So, not only is water birth preferable to the mother, but it also assists your baby’s transition to the world.
Is Water Birth Safe?
It might be scary to consider a water birth if you don’t know anyone who’s experienced it. Or maybe, you’ve heard only of bad outcomes in a water birth.
Fortunately, in addition to mothers loving their water birth experience, the evidence shows that water birth presents no higher risk than land birth.
Multiple studies show the benefits and risks of water birth and found that water birth vs land birth resulted in ¹ ³ ⁴
lower risk of intervention in vaginal birth
decreased chance of cesarean birth
lower risk of severe perineal tears
no risk of increased infant death
lower risk of the baby being admitted to the NICU
lower risk of the baby getting an infection
So if safety is what has held you back from choosing a water birth, put your mind at ease, mama. Not only does the evidence show that mothers would choose water birth but statistically, it is a safe choice for birth.
If Physiological Birth is What You Want, Plan Your Water Birth with Midwife Lennon
When you choose to stay home you are already showing that you want to be in control of your birth experience. Adding water to your labor provides not only incredible pain relief but countless other benefits.
And if the satisfaction of mothers isn’t enough, the evidence shows that water birth is safe and often better for mother and baby.
So, if you’re in the Salem, Oregon area and you’re looking for a midwife who will honor your choices and support your desire for a water birth, I’m here! I provide a specific tub to my clients at no extra cost and help with the setup and clean up of the birth pool at births. You can learn more about my services here.
One thing I didn’t address earlier is that some mothers choose to also deliver their placentas in the water. That is absolutely fine! Or if you’d rather get out of the water for the placenta delivery, this is all something we discuss through our prenatal appointments. Look for a future blog all about the third stage of labor – placenta birth/early postpartum.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at midwifelennon@gmail.com. I look forward to your questions and I can’t wait to hear about your desire for a home water birth.
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