Six Things I Learned from my Water Birthing Experience

Water birth. Some ladies are completely against it, claiming it is something for the hippies. Others simply skip over it, stating it is just not for them. But for those of us who are curious enough to try it, is it as miraculous as they make it sound?

In my opinion, absolutely!

With the birth of my youngest, my little Ellie, I elected to have a water birth.

My first birthing experience with Brendan was normal. Birth from a bed, with no epidural, but I was completely monitored and surrounded by nurses and my midwife.

For what was determined to be my last birth experience, I knew I wanted something different.

After hours of research, weeks of debating, and some odd looks from other mama’s I discussed it with, I decided I was going for the water birthing experience. My birth plan was detailed, and I was determined. So what did I find out during this experience?

In Hospitals, the “Tub” Is More of an Inflatable Pool

For some reason I believed water births would be conducted in a permanent, Jacuzzi sized tub. Who knows why, this is just the picture I always envisioned.

Instead, I found that for hospital water births, more of a miniature inflatable ring pool is used. Prior to birth, the tub is brought into the room, the top ring is inflated, and it is filled using a hose from the sink.

Water Brings Comfort, but Speeds Labor

By the time I transitioned myself from the birthing ball to the tub, I was pushing 7 cm dilated. My midwife (who was AMAZING) had been bouncing back and forth between myself and a first-time mom for the 24 hours prior and was prepping the other new mom for an emergency C-section when I decided I could no longer wait.

Sinking myself into the water, I found that my contractions took on another form. The water seemed to take the pressure off of the contractions immediately, yet the frequency immediately increased, and the intensity dramatically rose. From the time I entered the tub until Ellie was born was approximately 12 minutes, and my midwife came to check my progress to find me crowning.

After the 24 hours of labor I had already been in, this progress was overwhelming but very welcomed.

You Have an Option of Attire for the Birth

Another assumption I had of water birth was that since you would be in a tub, it would be assumed you would be naked for birth. While I was not excited about this, I was ready to accept it for the chance at a water birth.

Instead, I found that medical staff really are fine with whatever clothing you are comfortable in on top, pending it is not in the way during birth. Bikini tops, sports bras, t-shirts, and the like were all discussed as options during my pre-birth appointments.

For comfort reasons, I chose to birth in a sports bra which worked perfectly for my situation.

The Tub Still Presents Traditional Opportunities’

With my son, my husband had the option to not only cut the cord, but also to catch our baby during birth. He was all about being able to do these things with our youngest as well, so this was a point of hesitation for him when I started discussing the potential of a water birth.

After speaking with my midwife team, we found that pending that delivery was progressing without complication, he would still be able to do both of these things.

Water is Lukewarm, but Relaxing

So, going into my water birth, I assumed I would have some say as to the temperature of the water. I was imagining a nice hot bath to help soothe my crazy contractions.

Yeah, I forgot for a minute a baby was being brought into the world through this water. Lukewarm is the temperature they use for that.

Of course, by the time I entered that mystical tub, I found I no longer cared about the water temperature if it meant getting the baby out. Thus, the lukewarm temperature was ok, if not a bit relaxing. (If you can relax at 8 cm dilated.)

Due to The Water, the Cause for Alarm Can Be Accelerated

This one probably should have crossed my mind before it happened, alas, it didn’t.

Does anyone know what happens when you add a little bit of blood to water? It spreads out and looks like a lot of blood. Guess what happens when you add a lot of blood to water?

It looks like you are bleeding out and your midwife freaks out a bit!

If you are debating water birth, please remember that the water can exaggerate any bleeding that is occurring. Let yourself be in the moment and trust that your doctor will tell you when there is cause for alarm.

Crazy Mom Talk

If I had the option between a traditional birth and a water birth in the future, I’,m taking the water birth every time. While I was only in the water for about fifteen minutes overall, the stress and pain it took away was worth it. Plus, the experience overall was amazing. (Although, I will never look at those inflatable ring pools the same way again.)

If you are debating if water birth is for you, however, I caution you to take everyone’s opinions you are going to read and hear in stride. Some people are going to hear you are considering it and go quiet or openly voice their distaste. Chances are, they have no idea what the benefits are for you and your baby. Also, chances are their opinion doesn’t matter, as they are not pushing this baby out. You are.

At the end of the day though momma, that decision is yours and yours alone. Make it and do so in confidence. At the end of the day, it isn’t really going to matter how your baby gets here, all you are going to care is that you get to hold that little bundle and the rest is just the icing on the cake.

Did you experience a water birth? Were you considering one, and then changed your mind? Let me know in the comments, I would love to hear from you!

Want to check out the non-traditional birth story of my oldest? Click here.