What to Expect
Waterbirth is a primary reason for low-risk parents to choose out-of-hospital birth! This option is not widely available in the hospital setting and can be one of the primary ways a person can achieve a natural birth. Because of this, we have made every effort to insure that the waterbirth experience we offer is the safest, most comfortable option available, with tub lighting,, waterbirth slings, sprayers, and mirrors, as well as protective equipment for our staff specific to waterbirth. The best part is that there is no clean up or disruption of your own home environment!
Access to our tubs is available to every person who chooses to labor and give birth at BloomWell. Actually having a waterbirth depends mainly on your desire for water versus "land" when it's time to push. Many women find that hydrotherapy is an invaluable comfort measure for labor and birth, but occasionally it may feel unnatural or uncomfortable. We encourage you to listen to your body and to move into whatever position you need to give birth comfortably. Our tubs are very large and allow for submersion as well as a variety of positions for both you and a partner if desired. And if the tub isn't working for you, both of our birth suites are equipped with large showers where you can still take advantage of hydrotherapy for labor and birth without submersion.
Many parents are concerned about the baby "breathing" underwater--your little one will not take their first breath until they are brought out of the water; many newborns may not even be aware that they are outside the womb at first! This gentle transition to life outside the womb only enhances both your and your baby's experience during their birth. About 10-15 seconds after birth, you, your partner, or midwife will bring your baby out of the water and place them on your chest and cover you both with a warm towel or blanket so that you can rest, bond, and adjust for as long as possible in the warm water.
Access to our tubs is available to every person who chooses to labor and give birth at BloomWell. Actually having a waterbirth depends mainly on your desire for water versus "land" when it's time to push. Many women find that hydrotherapy is an invaluable comfort measure for labor and birth, but occasionally it may feel unnatural or uncomfortable. We encourage you to listen to your body and to move into whatever position you need to give birth comfortably. Our tubs are very large and allow for submersion as well as a variety of positions for both you and a partner if desired. And if the tub isn't working for you, both of our birth suites are equipped with large showers where you can still take advantage of hydrotherapy for labor and birth without submersion.
Many parents are concerned about the baby "breathing" underwater--your little one will not take their first breath until they are brought out of the water; many newborns may not even be aware that they are outside the womb at first! This gentle transition to life outside the womb only enhances both your and your baby's experience during their birth. About 10-15 seconds after birth, you, your partner, or midwife will bring your baby out of the water and place them on your chest and cover you both with a warm towel or blanket so that you can rest, bond, and adjust for as long as possible in the warm water.
Is waterbirth safe?
Waterbirth can be very safe for most low-risk women and babies! Click this link for evidence and facts about the safety of waterbirth. Waterbirth does not inherently raise your risk for infection or for complications--in fact, for some women, waterbirth may lower the risk of complications such as perineal lacerations or newborn hypothermia.
We make every effort to help your waterbirth be as safe as possible by:
We make every effort to help your waterbirth be as safe as possible by:
- Checking and charting the temperature of the water when we fill it or add water
- Cleaning it after every patient use with products that are OSHA approved for infection and bacterial control
- Having access to you and your baby from all sides of the tub