Understanding and Having a Waterbirth

There are many benefits of labouring in and birthing in water. These include:

• Reduces pain and discomfort

• Increases calm and coping

• Buoyancy supports position changes to promote fetal descent and cardinal movements

• Decreases length of labour and length of pushing

• Reduces risk of episiotomy

• Lowers blood pressure where blood pressure is too high

• Facilitates physiologic birth in individuals with high BMI

• Promotes deeper connection and mindfulness in birth

• Encourages gentler, less violent beginnings for babies

Absolutely! Being born underwater offers baby the support and cushioning of water’s buoyancy, creating a gentler birthing experience. Once baby is brought to the surface, there are nerves around the baby’s nose and mouth that detect air and then initiate the transition from fetal to newborn breathing.

Newborns should never be put back underwater once their face is lifted and the parent/provider should be aware of nuchal cords and the summersault maneuver to prevent cord abruption.

Consult with healthcare providers to understand any unique benefits or risks for you in waterbirth. Understand when getting out of the water is appropriate and reasonable in labour/birth.

At least 18-24 inches deep, or up to at least the chest/breast of the labouring individual.

Ideally, a clean bathtub or birth pool (with a liner) without chemicals is used for waterbirth. That being said, it has been done. It’s interesting to note that birthing in clean water can actually reduce chance of infection to parent or baby after birth, as the water dilutes any viral/bacterial pathogens present. If a hot tub is cleaned thoroughly and uses fresh water it could work theoretically, and truth be told, it has been done!

There is not enough evidence on salted water/a salt tub for birth to say whether saltwater would facilitate safe birth.

Be sure to keep water temperatures at a level where the individual in labour does not get overheated (ideally 35-38oC) and watch the labouring individual for signs of overheating such as flushing in the face.