“Water birth is one of the many lovely ways to enter the world.” Well spoken by Judy Edmond. Having birthed my last daughter in the water, I can agree that water makes birth lovely indeed.

Just as a warm bath makes you feel better when you are ill, water brings relief to the laboring woman just when she needs it most. I have seen laboring women get into a birth pool and wonder where the contractions went. It is a remarkable thing.

Of course maintaining a healthy mother and baby are always the most important aspects of birthing and water. Statistics support that giving birth in water is indeed a safe, valid choice. Studies from around the world have shown using water in childbirth can shorten labor, limit operative intervention, and minimize tearing. And, as a plus, women seem to love it.

The key to getting maximum benefit from laboring and birthing in water centers on maintaining the water at a steady, warm (100 degree) temp, and keeping the depth of the pool at 18″ or more.

Used in addition to a supportive environment, water birth can seem miraculous.