Health Information
Childbirth: Laboring in Water and Water Delivery
Topic Overview
Laboring in water
Some hospitals and birthing centers offer tubs or whirlpools for laboring. If yours does, talk to your health professional about laboring in water. The warm water supports your body and helps you to relax. For many women, laboring in water has been proved to:Reference 1
- Reduce labor pain.
- Reduce the use of or need for pain medicine.
- Lower the mother's blood pressure.
- Help some women move along a slow labor and avoid a need for forceps, vacuum, or cesarean delivery.Reference 2
Some time before you are ready to push your baby out, you will have help getting out of the tub.
Delivering in water
A water birth is the delivery of a baby while in a tub or pool of warm water. More research is needed to find out the benefits and risks to delivering in water.
If you are thinking of a water birth, discuss it with your doctor or midwife.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference November 2, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|
© 1995-2011, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
