Water Birth

Benefits for Mother:

Warm water is soothing, comforting, relaxing.
In the later stages of labor, the water has been shown to increase the woman’s energy.
The effect of buoyancy lessens a mother’s body weight, allowing free movement and new positioning.
Buoyancy promotes more efficient uterine contractions and improved blood circulation resulting in better oxygenation of the uterine muscles, less pain for the mother, and more oxygen for the baby.
Immersion in water often helps lower high blood pressure caused by anxiety.
The water seems to reduce stress-related hormones, allowing the mother’s body to produce endorphins which serve as pain-inhibitors.
Water causes the perineum to become more elastic and relaxed, reducing the incidence and severity of tearing and the need for an episiotomy and stitches.
As the laboring woman relaxes physically, she is able to relax mentally with greater ability to focus on the birth process.
Since the water provides a greater sense of privacy, it can reduce inhibitions, anxiety, and fears.

Benefits for Baby:

Provides an environment similar to the amniotic sac.
Eases the stress of birth, thus increasing reassurance and sense of security.

Birth - PreNatal Yoga - Baby Massage