WATER BIRTH
“Imagine . . .remembering your birth as
gentle, warm, soothing, and wonderful . . .”
Warm water immersion during labor and birth can
be a great way to help alleviate pain and discomfort. It offers warmth,
weightlessness and relaxation especially when the laboring mother is
able to submerge her belly and lower body. This is accomplished easily
with the use of a birthing tub. AquaNatal Birth Sap has large birthing
tubs in the birth rooms, and we have portable tubs available for use
during homebirth, for a small fee. They are wider and deeper than a
regular bathtub, more like the size of a small hot tub. This larger
size combined with the weightlessness of water immersion offers moms
greater ease of movement during labor and birth. Water immersion during
early labor can slow down progress sometimes, so your midwife may ask
you to wait until active labor to get into the tub. During active labor
water immersion has been known to speed up progress, perhaps due to
the profound relaxation experienced. Many women take this comfort measure
a step further and birth their babies into the water.
Waterbirth offers a gentle transition from mother’s womb to the
outside world. Waterborn babies are birthed into an environment much
the same as the amniotic sac- warm and watery. It is an intermediate
step that allows the baby to adjust slowly to this new life. Babies
do not begin the breathing process until they sense a change from a
watery environment into the air. It is for this reason along with others
that there is no risk of drowning for healthy waterborn babies.
It is also for this reason that waterborn babies take a little longer
than dry land birthed babies to initiate the breathing process. They
may be a bit bluer in color at first, but are fine when they “catch
up”. It is recommended to bring the baby to the surface of the
water as soon as the body is born.
There is no additional charge for having a waterbirth with the AquaBirth
midwives – either at the Birth Spa or at your home. The
birth tub is large & deep and can be easily set up at your home
– and our fees include all birth supplies.
If you are interested in learning more about laboring
and birthing in water then please come join us for an inspiring and
fascinating evening of discussion and waterbirth videos, We discuss
the benefits of waterbirth and provide tips on how to effecively use
the pool for optimal pain relief and labor
enjoyment.
*Time and dates vary - the 2.5 hour class is usually
offered once a month.
Please call 909-591-5353 to schedule a class with Joyce & Elena
Water Therapy: I am pregnant,
is it suitable for me?
Yes! Once you are in you won’t want to get
out!
Mid term pregnant women often find considerable
relief from pain and stiffness, particularly while floating prone,
with elbows on the floor of the tank and chin cupped in hands.
In this position the baby is fully floating and the mother’s
back and pelvic girdle are released from the weight.
Mothers-to-be have also remarked that floating has allowed them
to lie on their back, something they have not done for some time.
We also have a special float pillow which will allow you to lay
on your front too!
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"Pregnancy and Birth" magazine gave
floatation 10/10 as a useful pregnancy therapy! If you are in
any doubt, please consult your local midwife.
  
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