What Are The Benefits Of A Water Birth?

"Are you having a water birth?" A question you hear quite a lot when you announce that you are pregnant. It's been a "trendy" thing in the birth world for a while and the best news? WITH GOOD REASON!

It seems to be something that almost everyone at least considers at some point during their pregnancy, but according to a 2021 study published in the National Library of Medicine, only around 11% of birthers gave birth in the water. Given the amount of people that at least seem interested in the idea, the numbers of birthers actually doing it are low. We will explore why this might be in depth in another blog post, but the most likely reason for these stats are a combination of factors including: lack of guaranteed access to pools in NHS settings, the inconsistent opening or availability of midwife led birth centres, restrictive NHS policies that only "allow" birthers who are deemed "low risk" to entertain the possibility and the cascade of medical intervention that is becoming standard within the UK maternity system which leads to higher rates of instrumental and c-section births.

The rates are low, yes, but it is undeniable that people are still talking about them which gives me hope that in the not so distant future, those who want one will start to push the system into letting it happen.

So what are the benefits of planning a waterbirth?

1) There is no increased risk to healthy birthers and babies - this is often the first question birthing families have when considering a water birth. "Is it safe?" According to a 2018 Cochrane Review “Immersion in water during labour and birth” There was no increase in adverse outcomes for healthy birthers and babies.

2) Pain relief - As someone who has birthed in the water, I can really vouch for this. The pain relief I experienced when I got into the water blew my tiny f****** mind. I knew it would help but I wasn't prepared for just how bloody good it felt - almost euphoric. And I'm not alone in feeling this way. Many birthers who have spoken about their experience have described a similar experience.

3) It can create a calm and relaxed environment - Being a Hypnobirthing teacher, It's no surprise that creating a calm and relaxed environment is high on my priority list. Many birthers speak of how the water helps to create a sense of calm during labour. The sensation of the water, the pain relief it provides and the physical barrier it creates to stop people getting too close, helps to create feelings of relaxation and safety. Your labour hormones will go bonkers for this as we know that birth works best when the environment is calm, safe and unobserved!

3) Tearing - There is some evidence to suggest that the rate of tearing is lower in those who birth in water. It is worth noting, however, that research on this topic is still fairly limited!

4) Freedom to choose your birth position - When you are birthing in the water, you are nowhere near the bed which means there is much less chance of you ending birthing on your back with your legs in the air! Birthing in the water really lends itself to UFO (upright, forward and open) birthing positions which is great for getting your baby into the best possible position for birth and creating lots of space in the pelvis. Being on all fours, leaning over the birth pool and squatting (with the help of a seat if there is one) are all perfect birth pool positions.

4) Overall birth experience satisfaction - A 2023 study reported that those who birthed in water reported "a sense of autonomy, empowerment, control, better pain management, and a more positive, respectful, satisfying experience. Many who have birthed in the water report that their birth felt more physiological, that their environment felt calmer and safer and they felt less fear and more emotional security.

This won't be my last post on waterbirth. We will look more closely at the different aspects over a series of different blog posts. At the very least, I hope this whistle stop tour will inspire you to look more closely at the possibility of giving birth in the water. It really is F***** GREAT. Trust me on this one.

Shortly after the home water birth of my daughter Gaia

Links to studies mentioned in the post:

National Library of Medicine Water Birth Study: Waterbirth: a national retrospective cohort study of factors associated with its use among women in England - PMC

Cochrane Review: Immersion in water in labour and birth | Cochrane

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Water Birth Experiences: Experiences of water immersion during childbirth: a qualitative thematic synthesis | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Full Text