So You Want a Natural Childbirth? Think About a Water Birth

You'd like effective pain relief during labor, but you're worried about the side effects of drugs. You want your baby's birth to be gentle and intimate, but you're worried about the harsh transition from womb to world. What can you do? One powerful option is to choose a water birth for your baby.

Water Relieves Pain

Water eases pain. During labor water takes the weight off of your body and provides a gentle, equalizing pressure all over. You can fully relax between contractions, letting the warm water sooth your muscles.

When you are in pain your first instinct is to tighten up and escape the pain. This is bad during labor, when you want to relax and open. Water gently cradles your body and eases the pain, allowing you to relax your body and open for your baby.

You'll also be able to change positions easily, because the water will support the weight of your uterus. This means you can lean back, lean forward, or squat easily. You will be able to find the position most comfortable for you and the position that will help you open the most for your child.

Water Helps Baby

The equalizing pressure of the water during a water birth allows your blood to flow freely. This means that your baby is able to get more oxygen and richer blood flow throughout labor and birth.

As your baby is born, he or she crowns at your perineum and then slides gently out. The water supports your perineum during crowning, reducing the chance of tearing. Your baby is cradled gently in the warm water, just as he or she has been for the past 9 months.

The feeling of cold air on your baby's face is what triggers that first breath, so you can be assured that your baby will not breathe in the moment he or she is under the water.

You will pull your baby up immediately and enjoy your first glance at your child's face. Your baby's cord will float gently in the water, allowing the last pulses of blood to transfer from it and into your baby.

Babies born in the water are often sweet and calm, looking around the world that they have just entered. You can relax and enjoy your baby, using those first few moments to get to know each other and start your nursing relationship.

After the birth you and your baby can truly and peacefully enjoy each other. Your baby may be serene and calm after a gentle birth, and you certainly feel less sore. It is an experience you will reflect on for a lifetime and a wonderful start for your baby.