- Immersion in warm water is an excellent form of pain relief. Some women feel the relief as soon as they lower themselves into the pool, for others it takes 10-15 minutes to get the full benefit
- The depth of the water gives support and makes it easier to try different positions
- The warm water is a natural aid to relaxation, releasing tension and anxieties, and
leaving you free to go with the flow of the contractions - Waterbirth is often accompanied by dimmed lights and aromatherapy oils, which can also aid relaxation
- With less anxiety, the body produces less of the stress hormones adrenaline and
noradrenaline. This in turn allows more endorphins to be produced, which are the
body’s own painkillers, and which also promote a feeling of wellbeing - You can still use entonox (gas and oxygen breathed in through a mask or mouthpiece) while you are in the pool, and some women turn to this during the intense contractions at the end of the first stage of labour
- The atmosphere of a water birth is less rushed. The second stage of labour can take longer, which may be due to less pressure on the mother to push
- Despite the lack of time pressure, some studies have shown that the first stage of a waterbirth labour is shorter than average
- It is a low-tech way of conducting labour and leads to fewer interventions. However, the baby can still be monitored, using a pinard stethoscope or a hand-held Doppler with a waterproof cover
However, the warm water can be so relaxing that labour slows down or even stops. This is more likely to happen if you get into the pool during the early stage of labour while contractions are still mild. Labour usually gets going again if you get out and walk around.
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