Do we support water births at our birth centers?
Yes! Earthside not only supports clients who choose waterbirths at our center but encourage it! Laboring in water as well as birthing in water is generally considered to be safe for both mom and baby.
One of the most common questions we get asked at our free consults is if we offer water births. We love to say yes!
Because “community births” (generally considered home or birth center) do not offer epidurals, narcotics, or other medical pain relievers in labor, being able to labor in the water can be a huge benefit for moms to cope with labor. Water is a great way to take the edge off intense labor contractions, as well as help laboring moms sustain upright positions. It’s easier to kneel, squat, or sit upright in a deep tub of water than it would be on land.
Research shows that when women are able to soak in warm (up to 100 degrees) water in active labor, the body releases a hormone that relaxes the body, which often speeds up labor, helps cope with pain, and takes the edge off. Warm water in early labor often relaxes mom enough to slow labor down. This can be helpful when a laboring mom wants to try to get some rest.
Water labor has long been proven safe by research, but more recently there have been studies done on the safety of water BIRTH as well. And water birth is safe!
Of course, there are always times and circumstances where a water labor or birth is not appropriate, which you and your midwife would discuss prenatally or during labor.
We also need to make sure that as baby is coming out, the mom stays fully submerged so there is no chance that baby comes out, takes a breath, and then gets submerged.
Our inflatable birth tubs are nice and deep to allow not only comfortable, gravity positive positions for labor and pushing, but ensure that mom and baby have plenty of water to stay adequately submerged.
A water birth can offer a very gentle entrance into the world for baby. Water births can also reduce tearing, decrease the length of labors, and increase birth experience satisfaction!
We always encourage our clients to do their own research on whether water labor and birth would be a good fit, as well as discussing with your midwife.
Between 25-40% of our clients birth in the water!