Water birth is a technique of natural birthing, that provides pain relief in labour. Waterbirth was first reported in 1805 in France, where a lady, whose labour had been extremely long and difficult, was helped into a tub of warm water for a bath. Soon her labour progressed in the warm water, she started to push, and gave birth to her baby in the water.

What are the benefits of waterbirth?

• Less pain (Increased production of endorphins)
• Higher satisfaction with the birth experience (Feeling of being in control, Water supports 75% of a woman’s weight making her feel buoyant and comfortable)
• Less medication use for pain relief—important for people who want to avoid epidurals or narcotic medication during labor
• Less use of oxytocin and possibly shorter labors
• Higher rates of normal natural vaginal birth
• Lower rates of episiotomy
• Higher rates of intact perineum, especially in high-episiotomy settings (Water helps to relax the pelvic floor and soften the perineum)
• Possibly lower rates of severe tears (3rd or 4th degree), especially in high-episiotomy settings like India
• Possibly lower bleeding after birth

What are the benefits to the newborn?

• More gentle birth for the baby
• Breastfeeding, skin to skin can be encouraged immediately
• The benefits or risks of waterbirth for the newborn are less clear, but so far the evidence shows no harms of waterbirth in a supervised low risk pregnancy.