Many of us allow the stresses of a long day to melt away as we relax in a warm bath.  Now imagine the stress of labor melting away in the soothing embrace of warm water. Water enables relaxation, labor is no exception.  Water has been known to reduce the intensity of labor, and make a laboring mother buoyant as she moves with ease through the water, but most of all water’s calming effect lends to a gentler birth as baby transitions from its water womb to water world.

For the greatest pain relief in labor the mother should be immersed in water so that it covers her belly completely. This will create buoyancy, which will counteract the weight of the belly and pressure of contractions. It is also much easier for the mother to move in water-making changing positions easier! Being immersed in the water allows for a natural increase in the body’s production of feel-good chemicals such as oxytocin, which naturally decrease pain. Our birth tub is deep and has plenty of space for you to move and switch positions. There’s also room for your partner to join you in the tub if desired.

Waterbirth has been shown to be a safe option for birth. We use hand-held, waterproof instruments to check the baby’s heartbeat and can easily do this while you are in the water. No need to worry if your baby will try to breathe under water- studies have shown that babies are prompted to take their first breath when oxygen hits the roof of their mouth or when there is a signigicant change in temperature around them. We keep the water temerature close to your body temperature so that your baby will not take a breath until out of the water. In one study, babies born in water had a lower rate of admission to NICU. (Gilbert and Tookey 1999)

We offer the option of laboring in water and birthing in the water if the mother desires. We use the La Bassine, made in water, tub. Each tub has a disposable liner to help with sanitation and cleanliness.  The following web site has more information on the La Bassine tub www.yourwaterbirth.com .

Waterbirth has been shown to be a safe option for birth. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this with us further please feel free to contact us.

Waterbirth is included complimentary for all of our birth center births. We also provide tubs for homebirths at a low fee. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this with is further please feel free to contact us.