Water birth is when you labor and give birth in the water. This choice may interest women who prefer the calm and relaxing feeling of water. It can be soothing for both mom and baby.

If you think you may want to use water during labor or birth, please tell your midwife at a prenatal visit at UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital. It is important that your midwife knows of your desire for this choice early in your pregnancy. This lets you talk about your wishes and make plans together.

You may want to think about water birth and have it as a choice for labor if:

• Your pregnancy and labor are low risk.
• You understand your duties during a water birth.

What Happens During a Water Birth?

If no problems arise, you may labor at first in a bathtub before the pool is set up. The pool gives you more space and deeper water to float in and change positions. Your midwife or nurse will check the baby’s heart rate on a regular basis with a hand-held listening device, a doppler, under the water. If the heart rate stays within the set limits, your provider thinks it is safe and you do not have any problems, you can labor in and outside of the water as you desire.

If it is your first birth, we may ask you to push in many positions inside or outside the pool. Using many positions can help move your baby further down in the birth canal. If this is not your first vaginal birth, it often works well to stay in the pool and start pushing when ready. Your midwife/CNM stays at the side of the pool to help with the birth process. Your support person can be at the side of the pool or can get into the pool with you. 

After your baby is born into the water, your midwife brings your baby up to the surface where your baby takes the first breath. Your baby will then be placed in your arms. The midwife clamps the cord and you or someone of your choosing may cut the cord. This can happen in the water, or after you leave the pool. After helping you out of the pool we will wrap you and your baby in warm blankets. You will walk to the bedbed for delivery of the placenta. Your midwife will also decide if you need stitches. Your baby will snuggle on your chest under the blankets and may breastfeed as soon as they are ready.

What Factors Need to be Present for Water Birth to Be an Option for My Labor and Birth (Eligibility Criteria)?

• You are generally healthy without concerns like high blood pressure or diabetes, to name a few. Your midwife will determine if you are eligible.
• Your prenatal blood work (laboratory testing) and routine testing are normal.
• You do not have any infections.
• The baby is full-term (you have completed at least 37 weeks of pregnancy).
• The baby’s position for birth is head first.
• The baby’s heart rate pattern is normal (not concerning) on admission and stays normal during your labor.
• The amniotic fluid is clear when the bag of water breaks. Meconium (baby’s first stool) cannot be present. It is OK, however, to be in the water after your bag of water breaks.
• Other situations may arise where your midwife decides that water birth is not a safe option for you and/or your baby.

At any time, if there is any emergency or other concerns, we will help you to stand up right away and get out of the pool. We might do this even if it is difficult for you or during the moments of the birth itself. We need to do what is best for the safety of you and your baby. If you desire a water birth it is very important that you agree to leave the water when, and if, instructed by your midwife.