Laboring and Birthing in Water

Contrary to what some people have believed, giving birth in water "is not 'New Age'; it is not a cult; it is not a fad"¹. Although less than 1% of American babies have been born under water since the 1980s, several European and other countries have utilized water immersion in labor for centuries.

The majority of water births take place at home, but many hospitals across the country are beginning to recognize the benefits of laboring and birthing in water. What are the benefits of laboring and birthing in water versus in bed? What first takes the notice of pregnant women is learning that laboring in water reduces the discomfort of contractions. In some circles, laboring in water is known as the midwive's epidural because it provides the best non-narcotic pain relief. In fact, one of my own clients said that her water birth was comparable to her previous Nubain-assisted births.

Two big reasons why water immersion reduces pain are that it releases more oxytocin and endorphins as the woman's body relaxes into the water and releases pent-up stress. One study published in the British Medical Journal found that laboring in water not only reduces your pain and stress, but also your need for medical intervention. According to this study, 2/3 of the women who labored outside of the water requested an epidural, compared to only 1/2 of the women who did labor in water².

Another benefit of laboring and birthing in a bath is that it gives women more autonomy and control. They are able to change positions more easily, and are usually given more freedom to birth without intervention.

Labor is typically shortened, and dilation occurs more quickly in the water, since stress induced tension contradicts the body's efforts to progress in labor, and it is difficult to remain tense in a deep warm bath.

One of the ways a woman is given more control in the bath is that she is usually not forced to push. This along with women's tendency to use their hands as counter pressure around the baby's emerging head results in fewer tears and less bleeding following a water birth. Laboring in water also helps to maintain the woman's body fluid balance.