Water labour and birth

There are several benefits of using water during labour and birth.

• Water can reduce pain and make you more comfortable.
• If you get in the bath once you are 5cm dilated or more, it can shorten your labour.
• The natural buoyancy of the water helps you to move into different positions and improves your comfort during contractions.
• The water also helps to relieve stress and tension, increases relaxation and creates a calm, quiet place.
• Research has shown that if you labour in water are less likely to need pain relief such as morphine or an epidural.

A wireless monitor can be used if there is a need for continuous monitoring of your baby’s heart rate during labour.

Talk to your midwife or doctor if you would like to have a water labour or birth. Water labour or birth is considered safe if:

• you are 38 weeks pregnant
• you have had a pregnancy with no complications
• you are expecting one pēpi
• your labour is progressing normally
• your pēpi is coming headfirst
• your baby’s heartbeat is within the normal healthy range.

Research has shown there is no increase in infection for you or your pēpi when using water for labour and birth.

If you need intravenous antibiotics (antibiotics delivered directly into a vein) in labour because there is a risk of infection you can still use the pool in labour.

Some health issues might make it unsafe for you or your pēpi to labour or give birth in water. You may be able to labour in water but need to get out for the birth. Talk to your midwife or doctor about this before you go into labour.

It is a good idea to practice squatting if you think this will be the position you may want to be in during labour, with your partner supporting you under the arms.

What to wear in the pool

You may choose to be naked in the pool or wear a crop top or tee shirt. Your partner should wear casual clothes.

Useful things to bring include:

• a towelling robe
• 2 large old bath towels (these may become soiled)
• an inflatable pillow or float
• something to drink (non-fizzy).

Entonox (gas and air) is available if you need pain relief.

You can choose how long you stay in the pool, and you can get out at any time. If your midwife or doctor want to monitor you and your pēpi more closely, they will ask you to leave the pool.

If you choose to stay in the water for the birth, your midwife or doctor will encourage and support you. As your pēpi is born, you and your midwife will gently guide your pēpi to the surface — a pēpi born underwater does not breathe until they reach the surface.