Safety Criteria for Waterbirth

The water should be clear and clean. Tap water in the UK is certified suitable for drinking and therefore in all hospitals in the UK use tap water in birthing pools.  In other countries please use filtered and warmed water.

 
Water Temperature

The water should ideally be between 34-36°C for most of the labour.  It should be raised to around 37-38°C when the baby’s head is crowning – so that your baby can be born into water that is at the same temperature as within the mother’s womb – after all the aim of waterbirth is to make the transition from within the womb to the outside world smoother.  During the first 20-30 seconds of life outside the mother’s womb the baby is the in water and then it is lifted out of the water onto the mother’s breast.  The baby takes the first breath when the cooler air of the room comes in contact with the face and skin and stimulates the breathing reflex.

 
When to get into the water

When you should get in the water varies and your midwife will be your best guide.  Usually you can enter the water when your cervix is more than 4-5cms dilated with the baby’s head well down and engaged and your contractions are well-established and coming at 3-5 minute intervals.  Then the water has a beneficial anaesthetic effect as well as a muscle relaxing effect.  The cervix can, in most cases, go to full dilatation within an hour or two – shortening the total time spent in labour.

Should I get out to deliver?

If you have a competent midwife or obstetrician who is specialised in doing waterbirth deliveries you can deliver your baby under water.

Note: If you deliver your baby under water first your baby’s head is born and then within a minute another strong uterine contraction will help you to deliver the rest of the baby.  Within about 30 seconds of the birth your midwife or obstetrician will gently lift the baby up out of the water and place the baby skin to skin on your chest.  Once your baby’s head is above the water line the baby will take an immediate first breath and sometimes let out a little cry.  Some baby’s cry rather lustily, which is brilliant for opening al the alveoli in the lungs!  Once it has been established that the baby’s respiration is normal and regular you can then support the baby in such a way that the baby’s head and shoulders are in contact with the air, and the baby’s abdomen and feet can float freely in the warm water (please ensure that the water temperature is 37-38°c).

« back to FAQ

top