Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Waterbirth

Waterbirth is a great choice for natural childbirth. A large part of the human body is water and most people find comfort in water - they love to soak in a warm bath or take a hot shower.

Water is relaxing and soothing. Laboring women are no different - water gives relief from the pain of labor, the weight of pregnancy, and allows babies to be born gently and naturally.

Water Helps Women

Water is beneficial for laboring mothers. Water eases pain (as you have no doubt noticed before!)

When a woman feels pain and fear in labor her instinct is to tighten up. Her body begins to shut labor down so that she can flee whatever is scaring her - it is a "flight" reflex. Soaking in warm water reduces pain and helps women relax during labor.

When you're free to loosen up and embrace labor you're free to do what you needs to in order to birth your baby. During a waterbirth you move as you wish. You can change positions, allowing the water to support you. You can easily squat - a natural position for laboring and giving birth.

If you have a partner in the tub with you you'll have even more support. Your ability to move as you wish will also assist your baby's descent through the birth canal.

Water provides even pressure on your body. It not only supports your weight as you labor it adds support as your body opens to accommodate your baby traveling down the birth canal. It provides equalizing pressure on the perineum as the baby's head crowns and is born.

All the even support from the water allows your blood to flow freely, meaning that you and baby are getting all the oxygen and nutrients you need throughout labor.

Besides reducing pain and giving support for a smooth birth waterbirth empowers you. If you've been able to labor naturally you can connect with your baby right away and be energized and empowered by your birth experience.

Good for Baby

Waterbirth is natural for babies. They are able to move gently from the womb to the water. Water supports the baby as he is born, allowing him to move easily into a place that feels familiar to him.

Your baby has been in water for 9 months. This gentle, warm water is what your child knows. Instead of being jarred immediately into cold air, you can bring your baby's head out of the water and then ease his body out slowly.

As mentioned before your blood flows more freely, allowing more blood to reach the baby. Your baby will benefit from this increased circulation. Your baby's cord will be able to float freely in the water, allowing the last blood from the placenta to flow smoothly to your child. A waterbirth can also have the added benefit of ensuring that the cord is not cut right away.

Babies do not start breathing until they feel air on their faces and umbilical cords. With water birth delayed cord clamping your baby is allowed gentle transition from the umbilical cord to breathing air.

You'll be able to bring your baby right up out of the water and to your breast. Water birthed babies are often peaceful and alert after having been gently born into the water and pulled up to their mother.

Many water birthed babies are very calm after birth and do not cry much or get upset. Their gentle transition to life outside the womb allows them to relax and observe. These peaceful babies may also have an easier time getting breastfeeding started.

Supplies

A tub is needed for waterbirth. You can rent a tub or you can use any tub that is big enough for you to move around in. Generally you'll want a tub big enough for you to be immersed to your armpits when you sit.

You need a source of clean, warm water. A rented birth tub will have a heater attached that keeps the water warm. If you do not have a tub with a heater attached you may want to have several pots of water staying warm on the stove to replenish warm water as the tub cools.

You'll need a brand new hose that can carry hot water. You also want a small net. The net will allow for easy clean-up of the water after the birth. You'll probably want to have a flashlight and a small thermometer available.

A large tarp or plastic sheet is a good idea for protecting floors from spilled water. Have plenty of clean towels on hand for mopping up spills and for wrapping around yourself when you get out of the tub.

A wonderful resource for waterbirth birth supply and tub options is Your Waterbirth.