WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

Understanding and Preparing for a Water Birth

Childbirth
Delivery method
Understanding and Preparing for a Water Birth
Water birth, where labor and delivery occur in a tub of warm water, has become an increasingly popular choice for its potential benefits in pain management and a calming birth environment.
If you're considering a water birth, understanding what it involves and how to prepare is crucial for a safe and fulfilling experience.
What is a Water Birth?
A water birth means laboring in and potentially delivering your baby in a birthing pool filled with warm water.
It can take place at home, in a birthing center, or in some hospitals.
Benefits of Water Birth
  1. Pain Relief: The warmth and buoyancy of the water can ease labor pains and reduce the need for pain medication.
  2. Relaxation: Water can provide a soothing and calming environment, reducing stress hormones and facilitating labor.
  3. Mobility: The buoyancy allows for easier movement and position changes, which can aid in the progression of labor.
Potential Risks and Considerations
  1. Not for Everyone: Water births are not recommended for high-risk pregnancies, including those with gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or a history of complications.
  2. Infection Risk: There's a small risk of infection for both the mother and baby, though proper hygiene practices can minimize this.
  3. Monitoring Challenges: Monitoring the baby's heart rate can be more challenging in water.
Preparing for a Water Birth
  1. Choose the Right Location: Ensure your chosen birth location offers water birth facilities and is equipped for emergencies.
  2. Hire Experienced Providers: Your healthcare team should be experienced in water births and supportive of your choice.
  3. Birth Plan: Clearly outline your desire for a water birth in your birth plan, including when you would like to enter and exit the water.
  4. Understand the Protocol: Know the procedure for getting in and out of the tub and what circumstances might require you to leave the water.
  5. Pain Management: Discuss other pain relief options with your healthcare provider in case you need to leave the tub.
During the Water Birth
  • Hydration and Comfort: Stay hydrated and use accessories like a cushion for comfort.
  • Temperature Control: Keep the water temperature warm but not hot, ideally around 97-100 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Transition to Delivery: Depending on your comfort and the baby’s position, you may choose to deliver in the water or transition to dry land for the delivery.
Post-Birth Procedures
  • Baby's First Breath: Babies born underwater should be gently brought to the surface for their first breath.
  • Placenta Delivery: Discuss whether you'll deliver the placenta in the water or out of it.
  • Postpartum Care: After delivery, you’ll be helped out of the tub for any necessary medical checks and postpartum care.
Q&As
  1. Is water birth safe for the baby?
  2. Can I get an epidural during a water birth?
  3. What if complications arise during a water birth?
  4. How do I know if a water birth is right for me?
  5. When should I get into the water during labor?
Choosing a water birth is a personal decision that should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider, considering your health, pregnancy history, and personal preferences.
With the right preparation and support, a water birth can be a rewarding and empowering experience.
Remember, flexibility is key in any birth plan, as labor can be unpredictable. Whatever path your childbirth journey takes, your comfort, safety, and the well-being of your baby are paramount.
All I Need to Know
Pain Management during Labor
1 min read
M
Mckencei
23 Jan 2024

Has anyone done a home birth / water birth? I have my first obgyn appointment today for the baby and I'm going to ask a lot of questions but I've noticed the medical field tends to be against home births. Please share any and all experiences please. I don't want to birth at a chaotic hospital.

Childbirth Delivery method
4 comments
S
Stormie
I am actually do a home birth to
27 Mar 2024

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B
Bonnie
Typically you have to go through a doula and or midwife. I know in my area they have some facilities you go to that are kinda set up like a bed and breakfast. I'm sure also can rent the birth pool and pay for services at home. The thing is a lot of insurance doesn't cover it. But, even if they do most of the places I have found you have to pay for services up front and then submit to insurance for in or out of network appts and birth services reimbursement. I would search for Douglas, midwives, and birth centers in your area for more info. 😊 I would love to but figure now I'm 38 etc and not rich unfortunately so figured it isn't really an option for me. I will say though where I am going it's a newer facility and typically you can tour the labor and delivery area earlier if you ask. It will be separate floor than rest of hospital and not chaotic like an ER or something. They try to keep it peaceful for Mom, baby, and family. However of course you may hear other Mama's hollering out in labor etc. Or have a wait for an epidural if the anesthesiologist is in a c-section or something. But, if you plan to labor natural that isn't an issue anyhow. I know where I'm going is newer and they even have videos on Youtube of their birthing and post delivery suite you stay in same suite whole time and they are big nice and private.
27 Mar 2024

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J
Jeanne
3 Jan 2024

Home Water Birth!!!! Preparing My Body❤️ #lotus-birth #delayedcordclamping #myway #allnatural #babygirl #43&prego #blessed

Childbirth Delivery method
2 comments
M
MusiQ
Yayyy!!! Peace and Love throughout your Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery!!!
27 Mar 2024

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J
Jeanne
I Love Your Posts!!!! Same to you,Queen❤️
27 Mar 2024

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S
Shakeira
28 Dec 2023

On December 25th, 2023 4:48am I welcomed my handsome Adonis Jordan to this world🥺🩵 I was the first to have a water birth in my family. I always seen myself doing things differently and natural for my pregnancy/delivery, and I did just that. I want to thank God for seeing my plans through and letting us both be safe🙏🏾 My first time having a baby and I flawlessly handled my contractions, held to my birth plan and delivered a beautiful healthy handsome boy.🥰 With no epidural, a water birth, no splits/taring, I delivered a 9 pound .73 oz baby boy🥰🥰. It truly was an amazing experience ❤️ #GodsBlessing🩵 #doubleportion🙏🏾 #naturalbirth #viral #39weeks

Childbirth Delivery method
7 comments
N
Nubian
Yes ma’am, !!!! Super proud of you! I’m doing the same in January
27 Mar 2024

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P
Puddin
You delivered at home ?
27 Mar 2024

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S
Shiann
8 Sep 2023

Getting induced tomorrow due to blood pressure. This was not planned 🥲 I wanted a natural water birth and now I'm overwhelmed, nervous, and mentally unprepared. He was due 9/29

Childbirth Delivery method
4 comments
B
Beka
Deep breaths. It doesn't always go as planned but at least you get to meet you lil bundle soon 🥰
27 Mar 2024

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Shiann
I keep trying to mentally prepare, thank you for the reminder ❤️
27 Mar 2024

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N
Nour
14 Aug 2023

32 weeks, now I'm preparing for labor! Getting my raspberry leaf, labor prep tea, doing daily prenatal yoga and making my Okra water ! 🥰

Childbirth Delivery method
1 comments
L
Lianna
My cuzin sent me the okra water benefits, have you made it yet and if so was yours slimy.
27 Mar 2024

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A
Alexis
22 Nov 2022

Anyone on here do a home or water birth? Or even Mayne know of a hospital that will allow for just you and bd and Dula to have a room, only doctors for back up if needed

Childbirth Delivery method
6 comments
B
Blocked user
Highly recommend getting a midwife and birthing at home. Once you do it, you will never go back. I had all three of my girls at home and I wouldn't change a thing. So many traumatic things take place in hospital births everyday and it's so corrupt! Midwives are more holistic, and don't force anything or bully/coerce you into getting anything you don't feel comfortable with getting, and they are also more than prepared. You are in the comfort of you own home. Your own relaxing atmosphere, no strangers poking and prodding you every second, no bright lights, no stuck to a bed with monitors and wires, and YOU CAN EAT AND DRINK ALL YOU WANT!! Birth is much more smooth and relaxed when birthing in a familiar, comfortable place. You are less likely to have a perineal tear and emergency intervention when birthing at home with a midwife. Definitely, definitely look into it. I'm so grateful I have a good friend who opened up my eyes to it all years ago before I had my first baby. There's just way too much shit that goes on in a hospitals, and they will bully you about their "policies" and blah, blah, blah. If you just want these three people at your birth, you can absolutely do that!! Join some unassisted free birth groups on Facebook, and there are so many awesome mamas in there that will guide you and tell you all you need to know. You're off on the right foot mama! Home is where the birth is. 🥰
27 Mar 2024

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Blocked user
I agree once I get pregnant I’m thinking of doing a home Birth your right hospitals do have many stories they skip over things not to along a man wife passed not to long after birth she had went home and wasn’t feeling her self they kept telling her everything was okay and kept sending her home till she passed away
27 Mar 2024

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C
Courtney
18 Apr 2022

I'm curious about water birth, has anyone else done it before and if so please let me know if you would prefer it over natural birth.

Childbirth Delivery method
1 comments
S
Sara
I wanted to do water birth but my daughter didn’t wanna turn her head down so she was c-sectioned. I love her regardless and I’m due in August for the second kid
27 Mar 2024

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