Water Birth - Everything You Need To Know

Do you want a water birth experience? Is it something you and your partner have thought about? Do you want to know if water birth is a safe option… or what the potential benefits of a could be for you?

Then you’re going to love our Water Birth education module inside the Birth Beat Ultimate Online Birth Course!! This is something I’m often asked about. It’s also becoming more and more common as women around the world opt for a water birth experience.

Our Water Birth content covers the essential information you need to feel knowledgeable and informed when it comes to deciding if water birth is right for you and your baby.

What you will learn in our water birth module:

– The distinction between water immersion in labour and water births. We look at why you might choose one option over the other. We also look at the potential benefits of both.
– The pros and cons, drawing from the best available, evidence-based information.
– What it will look and feel like.
– The practical side – exactly what happens and what to expect.
– Managing expectations.
– Reasons why it may not be suitable for you. (Remembering that every woman, pregnancy, birth and baby are different).
– How to speak to your care provider about water birth.

What else is covered?

We also show a beautiful video of a real water birth experience. This will help you start to imagine what your birth may look like if you choose this option. I talk through each stage in the video, breaking down exactly what’s happening so that you can understand what your caregivers will be doing and why.

What’s the difference between water birth and water immersion in labour?

Water Immersion

Warm water can be an excellent natural pain reliever during labour. Some women labour in warm water to help with pain relief but then hop out of the bath or pool prior to the pushing phase. They give birth ‘on land’ so to speak. This is known as water immersion.

Waterbirth

Waterbirth is when the birthing mother gives birth in the bath or pool and the baby is born into the water.

Why would I choose a water birth?

As I mentioned above, the warm water is a simple yet highly effective form of pain relief for some women during in labour. Being in the water also gives that lovely sense of weightlessness. This can be really relaxing for many women when they’re in active labour. Some studies show that women who labour in water have lower rates of epidurals and lower requirements for further analgesia.
Anecdotally, many women who do have a water birth report a more positive birth experience overall.

Are water births safe for baby?

As I mentioned above, the warm water is a simple yet highly effective form of pain relief for some women during in labour. Being in the water also gives that lovely sense of weightlessness. This can be really relaxing for many women when they’re in active labour. Some studies show that women who labour in water have lower rates of epidurals and lower requirements for further analgesia.

The best available evidence-based information is that in a low-risk pregnancy and birth scenario, there are no increased risks for babies. Some people instinctively worry about the bub being born into the water. What you’ve got to remember is that they’ve been in ‘waters’ for 9 months. Not only do newborns have a dive reflex, but they’re still getting their oxygen from the placenta via the umbilical cord. So yes, in most instances it is absolutely safe for bub.

Want to access our water birth module?

You get access to the full module when purchasing the Ultimate Online Birth Course. If you are interested and want to know what else is included, you can look at a break-down of the course inclusions here or by following the button below!

Images above by Emma Lawson Photography.