A water birth is an increasingly popular method of delivery among pregnant women and expecting families today. While water birth is not a new method of delivery, its popularity has grown exponentially in the birth community as more and more families seek alternative birthing solutions.

The potential benefits include both physical and emotional relief during labor as well as a relaxed environment during birth. To fully capture the popularity of this birthing method and highlight its effectiveness, we gathered the top 10 reasons to consider having a water birth. Read on to learn, understand, and consider all your options ahead of time.

Reduced Pain During Labor

The warm water of a water birth can provide pain relief during labor, as the buoyancy and warmth of the water help to relax your muscles and reduce discomfort. Water births can also help to ease the pressure on the cervix during delivery, making it easier for some babies to pass through.

When the delivering parent can relax their body through the contractions, their body can open up more softly as the baby descends through the birth canal. A tense, rigid body can increase discomfort and make things more challenging for both mother and baby.

Improved Circulation

Water immersion helps to improve the circulation of blood throughout your body, thereby aiding in the delivery process and easing tension. The water birth pool also allows for more free-flow movements, which can increase the overall blood circulation and supply throughout the mother’s body. Ultimately, this effect benefits their nervous system and the baby’s descension through the canal.

Each mother-baby dyad is unique, and the movements and gestures involved in birthing are not one-size-fits-all. Free movement and improved circulation can allow each delivering mother to find the most comfortable positions during each stage.

Reduced Risk of Tearing

A common concern for most expecting mothers is the risk of tearing and poor healing during postpartum. It’s essential to note that tearing is common, but there are ways to avoid this or reduce the severity of this occurrence. The warm water can help to reduce the risk of tearing during birth.

As the perineum relaxes with the heat, it is less likely to tear during delivery. Additionally, a relaxed mother and the calming nature of the environment can also reduce the risk of tearing because, without drastic tension, the baby can drop through the canal. Ideally, the perineum will expand as necessary per the baby’s structure.

Increased Mobility

Water births give you the freedom to move around and find a comfortable birthing position. The near-weightless environment of the water can also help to reduce pain during labor while aiding in breathing and relaxation.

Any time a birthing person has the opportunity to find a more comfortable birth position, they give their body more control over the process at hand. Allowing the body to decide what works best is an act of surrender that allows birth to unfold more easily.

Greater Comfort

Giving birth in water can provide comfort for both mother and baby due to the gentle rocking motion of the water and the warmth it provides. Between the pain-relieving effects and soothing warmth, water can provide a greater sense of comfort for the birth parent and baby. This makes the delivery more enjoyable for everyone and reduces the risk of post-traumatic disorders from birth. Most often, expecting families choose water births because of the control they have over the environment and the comfort that concept provides.

Fewer Interventions

Water births may reduce your need for medical interventions such as forceps or suction devices. In general, families that choose alternative birth methods, such as water birth, are seeking a greater sense of control and ease during labor and delivery.

Reducing the need for interventions aligns with these efforts, and the chances of success are relatively high. Expecting families may discuss other coping strategies with their midwife and doula, and each will offer a variety of options if the waters prove to not be enough.

Better Bonding With Your Baby

The gentle cradling effect of the water can help to create an intimate bond between you and your baby. The exit from the womb and the entrance into warm waters are almost identical for newborns, helping them transition from the womb to the outside world without alarming encounters or disruptions.

The womb is a warm, dark, and tightly packed space, providing unborn babies with optimal safety and comfort. Leaving this space to enter an open, cold, dry, and bright environment can be shocking. A water birth can mitigate these effects and make their entrance into the world more enjoyable and peaceful for both mother and baby.

Reduced Risk of Infection

Water births could reduce the risk of infection, as there is less exposure to bacteria present in a hospital environment. However, it’s essential to note you may need a water birth kit and accompanying supplies to keep the waters clean and free of debris as time passes.

Skin-to-Skin Contact

When you give birth in water, your birthing team will not remove your baby from the environment until you are ready and comfortable enough to do so. This gives you the opportunity for immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby, which can help strengthen your bond and aid in breastfeeding. The highly praised Golden Hour can occur in the water birth pool, and the overseeing midwife can assist in delivering the placenta.

A Sense of Control

Giving birth in water can provide you with a greater sense of control over the labor process, as you do not need constant contact with medical staff and are free to find the best position for your baby’s delivery. It’s worth noting that a midwife may use their Huntleigh waterproof doppler to monitor progress and fetal heart rate. Still, a family can discuss these measures prior to labor and delivery and ensure the birthing team uses this technology with the expecting family’s consent.

A water birth can be an incredibly rewarding experience for both mother and baby. Keeping these 10 reasons to consider having a water birth in mind can help you make an informed decision about whether a water birth is right for you.

Here at Cascade Health Care, we honor and value each birth experience as it unfolds. We support medical professionals of all degrees in their efforts to support families, and our inventory backs these efforts. If you’re a practicing midwife, grab a waterproof Doppler and all accompanying supplies today to help your next water birth go as planned for the patients.