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.