Greater comfort and mobility. The mother has much greater
ease and freedom to move spontaneously and to change position
to assist the descent of the baby.
Reduction of pressure on the abdomen. Buoyancy promotes more
efficient uterine contractions and better blood circulation,
resulting in better oxygenation of the uterine muscles, less
pain for the mother, and more oxygen for the baby.
Helps mother to conserve her energy. Immersion reduces opposition
to gravity; supports the mother's weight so that her energy can
be used to cope with the contractions.
Promotes deeper relaxation. As a woman relaxes deeply in water,
her hormones kick in and she starts progressing faster and with
more rhythm; labor becomes more efficient.
Water relaxes the pelvic floor muscles.
Water minimizes pain so effectively that for most women other
pain control methods are no longer needed.
Water stimulates the touch and temperature nerve fibers in
the skin. It blocks impulses from the pain fibers, known as the
Gate Theory of Pain.
Immersion is often more effective and safer than an epidural.
Some people call waterbirth an
"aquadural."
Facilitates a dysfunctional labor. Water can be an effective
way to stimulate dilation of the cervix when the mother has difficulty
progressing into the active stage of labor.
Water can reduce the need for drugs to artificially stimulate
labor. Often, simply getting into the tub will result in dramatic
and rapid progress to full dilation within an hour or two.
Lowering of blood pressure. When anxiety is causing high blood
pressure, immersion in water often helps lower it
Change of consciousness. Immersion helps relieve anxiety and
promotes relaxation. Water helps a woman to let go and focus
inward as labor strengthens.
Easier breathing. Moisture in the air makes it easier to breathe
and can be helpful to women with asthma.
Facilitates the second stage of labor. Many mothers are less
inhibited in the water. The warm water softens the vagina, vulva,
and perineum, leading to fewer injuries to these tissues.
Many women experience rapid second stages, with the baby emerging
minutes after the body starts pushing, also known as the fetus
ejection reflex (see Odent, The Nature of Birth and Breastfeeding).
Empowerment of the mother. When a woman delivers her baby
while remaining awake, aware and in control, it greatly enhances
the birth experience for her and becomes a source of great personal
strength and power that enriches her life forever.
Greater involvement of the father. Because the mother's pain
and stress is so greatly reduced, it is much easier for fathers
to particpate and take a more active role in the birthing process.
Many men are reluctant to become involved in the birth experience
when they know that the mother is likely to endure intense pain,
trauma and suffering during labor and delivery.
Enhanced family relationships. When the mother's pain is dramatically
reduced, many fathers eagerly take a more active role in the
delivery, resulting in a greater family bond. When fathers are
more involved it increases the possibility of a joyous birth.
Both parents and child get to share a wonderous experience that
can enhance their relationships with each other for the rest
of their lives.
Better parent-child interactions. A mother who has had a beautiful
and empowering birth experience will have an especially positive
association in her mind and emotions to that child; and a baby
who has had an easy, non-traumatic, not painful, gentle birth
will have an especially positive association to the parent. This
exceptionally positive start to their relationship will likely
enhance the parent-child interactions forever.
Evolving humanity in a positive direction. Many psychologists
believe that babies born gently grow up to become more gentle
adults, and have a greater ability to deal with problems non-violently.