Things you need to know about a water birth.
Why give birth in water? What are the pros and cons to using a birth pool during labour?
Water birth - when someone uses either a birth pool or bath, filled with warm water during labour and/or when they birth their baby.
Have you ever thought about doing this? Giving birth in water? It might be something to consider as there are plenty of benefits, lets's take a look at some of them and also consider some possible disadvantages to birthing in water:
Benefits of having a water birth:
Acts as a distraction -The water in the birth pool needs to be around 37 degrees celsius. The warmth of the water can act as a distraction that might take your mind away from the sensations of birth for a few seconds/minutes. Water births are sometimes classed as a form of natural pain relief for this reason. This is one of the main benefits of having a water birth.
Takes the weight of your bump - A large birth pool will allow you to float which helps to take the weight of the baby and bump, this can be a relief towards the end of pregnancy when things feel heavy.
Decreased chance of tearing - Using water during labour can help to decrease the chances of the perineum tearing, the water will soften the perineum making it more flexible and supple. A bit like when your hands go soft and wrinkly after you have been in a bath too long, the same happens to the perineum.
More privacy - The water will cover the bottom half of your body, this can help us to feel less exposed and have more privacy during labour (perfect for our birthing hormones).
Help to keep us calm - Being in a birth pool can help to aid the skill of relaxation, the more relaxed we are, the more comfortable we feel.
Smoother transition for baby - Birthing your baby into the water can create a smoother transition for your baby from womb to world. The temperature of the womb is also roughly 37 degree celsius.
Other things to consider when planning a water birth:
One of my clients home birth set up with the birthing pool in her living room.
Birth pools are not always available - (unless you are birthing at home). It might be that when you arrive at the birth centre or hospital all the pools are taken, so it’s always a good idea to think about birthing on ‘dry land’ too and having other natural forms of pain relief methods to help you if you can’t use the pool.
You are not as active inside a pool as outside - You can’t walk around and bounce on a birth ball like you might do on dry land. We know that being active during labour is really beneficial and create up to 30% more space in the pelvis. Perhaps have a think about getting out of the pool every so often for a little walk around.
There is a thing as being too relaxed - Sometimes we can become too relaxed in a birth pool which might actually slow things down - again getting out of the pool at certain points might be a good idea to avoid this happening.
Cannot use your tens machine - If you are using a tens machine it would need to be removed before you can get into the water, some people don’t like to part with their tens machine (something to think about).
Are water births just for those planning to birth at home?
Nope, some hospitals and most birth centres will have birth pools available, it’s a good idea to check with your local trust though as not all hospitals will have them. Local trusts in Yorkshire that have birth pools include Pinderfields hospital and birth centre, St James’s hospital, the LGI and Dewsbury and District hospital.
Alternatives to a birth pool
If a birth pool isn’t available, you could ask to use a bath or shower if there is one available, you will still be able to benefit from the use of warm water.
Have a read of some birth stories using birth pools:
The Birth of Tobias
A beautiful home birth story using a birth pool.
The Birth Of Anya-Maeve
A positive water birth at St James’s hospital in Leeds
The Birth of Rufus
Another gorgeous home birth story using a birth pool.