Your guide to having a water birth

What is a water birth?A water birth is where you labour and give birth in a pool. Water birth is a birth place option for you and your baby and should be discussed to enable you to make an informed choice. If you would like to give birthin a birthing pool at home or in hospital, talk to your midwife to discuss the facilities available in your area. Birth pools are available in most maternity units, or alternatively you can hire one to use at home.The advantages of a water birth Increased sense of control Relaxing, secure, warm environment Less need for pain relief as pain threshold appears increased A dimmed room and birthing pool may feel more private than a bright labour ward, helping you relax even more The buoyancy of the water makes you feel lighter and enables you to get into more comfortablepositions for the final stages or keeping you more upright - which gives you the advantage of working with gravity as your baby is born.The disadvantages of a water birth You may have to leav...