Water Labor Vs. Water Birth

Since labor and giving birth are both part of the same, painful experience, many women opt to do one, the other or both in a tub of warm water. This is still an alternative method, but it's becoming more popular.

Water Labor and Birth

• Water labor is when a woman relaxes in a tub of warm water when she goes into labor. Water birth is when she gives birth while in the same warm water.

Relaxation

• Both water labor and water birth are more relaxing for the mother, allowing her muscles to function better than in a traditional birthing bed.

Buoyancy

• Both water labor and water birth can take strain off of the mother by helping her feel lighter as she pushes.

Pain Relief

• Warm water, both in the case of water labor and water birth, can help relieve a woman's pain naturally.

Dangers

• Water labor is safe, and hasn't shown any damaging side effects. However, water birth can result in a baby inhaling water before it's exposed to air if their body overrides their natural reaction to not inhale until out of the water.