Why Choose Water Birth?
Water birth can be a deeply calming and empowering choice for your labor and birth experience. I love supporting families with water during their labor because I know the power and relief it can offer in all settings of birth. Integrating water into your experience offers a variety of benefits so let’s dive into why choosing water birth might be right for you and how to incorporate it into your labor plan.
Let’s Talk About Your Options…
Here in Denver, we are fortunate to have numerous birth settings that incorporate water into their labor and delivery options. You can explore my full list of recommended birthing locations around Denver here, which includes both hospitals and birth centers offering water options during labor. All of our birth centers support your right to push and give birth in water, and if you choose a home birth, you can also utilize water by either using your own tub or renting a birthing tub. Our hospitals offer water for support in labor but with the exception of one hospital, they will ask you to get out before birthing baby.
Beyond the location, there are two primary forms of water that can be especially beneficial during labor and birth: the shower and the birth tub.
The Shower:
The shower is a versatile tool during labor. Its powerful water pressure can help to alleviate discomfort in labor especially back labor. Standing in the shower also allows you to remain upright, leveraging gravity to support the progression of labor. Many birthing people find the shower to be a comforting and private space where they can focus on their contractions without distraction. While it may not always be the most practical place for delivery, the shower can be a sanctuary during labor, and if the baby is ready to come, we can always adapt and make a shower birth work!
The Birth Pool or Bathtub:
A birth pool or bathtub is a popular choice for many families, particularly those planning home births. Immersing yourself in a birth pool offers buoyancy and a level of pain relief that is hard to match. Being fully submerged allows you to float, which can help you feel both in control and relaxed during contractions. This support facilitates natural movement and can make labor feel more manageable. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing numerous babies born underwater, and the gentle, supportive environment of a birth pool can make the experience incredibly serene for both the baby and the birthing person.
Let’s Talk About Benefits…
Choosing water birth can be a wonderful way to enhance your labor experience, providing comfort, support, and relaxation. Whether you opt for a shower or a birth pool, incorporating water into your birth plan can offer numerous benefits and help you feel more prepared and empowered.
Pain Relief and Relaxation:
Water provides natural pain relief by helping to soothe and relax your muscles. The warm water can ease the discomfort of contractions and promote a sense of calm.
Buoyancy:
Being in water reduces the weight of your body, which can alleviate pressure on your joints and back. This buoyancy can make movement easier and more comfortable.
Supportive Movement:
Water supports and cushions your body, allowing you to move freely and find positions that feel most comfortable. This freedom of movement can help your labor progress more smoothly.
Privacy:
Using water can create a more private and intimate environment. Whether in a shower or a birth pool, the water can help you feel more secure and less exposed.
Faster Labor:
Many people find that laboring in water can help speed up the process. The relaxation and buoyancy can facilitate quicker dilation and progression.
Lower Stress and Blood Pressure:
Warm water increases relaxation and therefore can lower your stress levels and blood pressure overall, creating a more serene atmosphere for labor and delivery.
Decreased Risk of Tears:
The gentle support of water can help reduce the likelihood of tearing. Being immersed in water can help support your perineum by supporting the stretch slowly in a more natural way.
As an experienced doula, I encourage families to always consider how water might support their birth plan. My goal is to ensure that you have the best tools and support available to make your birth experience as comfortable and empowering as possible. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance in planning your water birth; together, we can make sure that this powerful option is accessible and tailored to your needs, in any birth setting.
Welcome
I’m Lindsey Eden
Doula and birth photographer based in Denver Colorado! Mama of two and passionate believer that documenting the journey of birth can heal and change lives!
More blogs you may love.
Follow along on Social Media.
