Splish, splash, splosh - gosh!

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Article Summary

Have you ever noticed how wonderful it feels to soak in a tub of warm water when you're tense or in pain? The same is true during labour. Studies have found significant benefits to laboring in water. Sitting in warm water or standing in a warm shower lets your muscles relax and decreases the pain of labour contractions. It also can help your uterus work more efficiently: Some studies have shown that labour progresses faster when women are in water. Warm water can also help to lower your blood pressure if it's elevated.

Coming Soon to a Hospital Near You

Bath Tips

Water Birth

Coming Soon to a Hospital Near You

Many doctors and midwives now encourage spending some or all of you labour in water. This wasn't always the case. Although women were often encouraged to take a warm bath in early labour, it used to be assumed that they would be confined to bed once it got started. Today, things are very different. Many hospitals have a large bath in each room designed to let you spend much or even all of your labour under water.

Bath Tips

As long as your labour is proceeding normally, it's safe to be in water. Your progress can be assessed, and your baby's heartbeat monitored by listening in. You cannot have the baby's heart beat continuously monitored electronically while you are in the bath, so your midwife may advise you to get out if there are complications. If your birthing room has a shower, you can sit or lean against the wall with a pulsating spray directed toward your lower back or abdomen. If your room has a bath the buoyancy and warmth of the water will lessen any discomfort you're feeling. You can just succumb to the soothing effects of the water, or you can practice your relaxation and breathing techniques at the same time. Bring a bath pillow with you so you can lean your head back comfortably. Most doctors advise against getting in the bath if you are using an epidural for pain relief, but you can use gas and air, or pethidine, if you wish.

Your partner can join you, too. He can sit in a chair next to the shower or tub, or he can get in with you if there's enough room. In this case, your partner might want to bring along a swimsuit. You won't be able to wear a swimsuit yourself, but if you're self-conscious about being undressed, you can keep on your hospital gown while in the tub or shower.

Water Birth

Spending time in a bath during labour does not mean that you will necessarily give birth in the water. Most midwives and doctors will ask that you get out of the tub before the baby is born. However, some women would like to actually deliver the baby under water, and increasing numbers of midwives and doctors are agreeing to this. Water birth has been very controversial but is becoming less so as more research is showing that it is safe. The baby just swims, or is lifted, to the surface of the water and takes his first breath before the cord is cut. If you want to deliver this way, do discuss it with your midwife and doctor well before labour starts.  

Even if you don't want to go all the way to having a water birth, find out if you'll have access to a shower or bath when you take your hospital tour. Let your midwife know if you think you'd like to use this simple comfort measure during labour.

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