The Benefits of Water for Labor and/or Birth

  • Greater comfort and mobility. The mother has much greater ease and freedom to move spontaneously and to change position to assist the descent of the baby.

  • Reduction of pressure on the abdomen. Buoyancy promotes more efficient uterine contractions and better blood circulation, resulting in better oxygenation of the uterine muscles, less pain for the mother, and more oxygen for the baby.

  • Helps mother to conserve her energy. Immersion reduces opposition to gravity; supports the mother's weight so that her energy can be used to cope with the contractions.

  • Promotes deeper relaxation. As a woman relaxes deeply in water, her hormones kick in and she starts progressing faster and with more rhythm; labor becomes more efficient.

  • Water relaxes the pelvic floor muscles.

  • Water minimizes pain so effectively that for most women other pain control methods are no longer needed.

  • Immersion is often more effective and safer than an epidural. Some people call waterbirth an "aquadural."

  • Facilitates a dysfunctional labor. Water can be an effective way to stimulate dilation of the cervix when the mother has difficulty progressing into the active stage of labor.

  • Water can reduce the need for drugs to artificially stimulate labor. Often, simply getting into the tub will result in dramatic and rapid progress to full dilation within an hour or two.

  • Lowering of blood pressure. When anxiety is causing high blood pressure, immersion in water often helps lower it.

  • Change of consciousness. Immersion helps relieve anxiety and promotes relaxation. Water helps a woman to let go and focus inward as labor strengthens.

  • Facilitates the second stage of labor. Many mothers are less inhibited in the water. The warm water softens the vagina, vulva, and perineum, leading to fewer injuries to these tissues.  Many women experience rapid second stages, with the baby emerging minutes after the body starts pushing, also known as the fetus ejection reflex (see Odent, The Nature of Birth and Breastfeeding).

  • Empowerment of the mother. When a woman delivers her baby while remaining awake, aware and in control, it greatly enhances the birth experience for her and becomes a source of great personal strength and power that enriches her life forever.

Resources: Daniels, 1986; Balaskas, 1990; Lichy, 1993; Napierala, 1994.


"...I was surprised how well the tub held heat for such a long time--we did add hot water at intervals but the water stayed quite warm over an extended period.

I began to feel like pushing and so tried different positions to see what would work best. The tub was great because of the well placed handles and the built-in seat. I ended up squatting with my bottom resting on the seat and my hands clinging to the handles..."

-Amanda
Labor Tub Rental Includes

  • Birth Pool in a Box Eco
    (Hospital Grade)
  • 1 Disposable Liner
  • Electric Air Pump w/ attachments
  • Electric Water Pump
  • Food Grade Hose  (for ingoing water)
  • Garden Hose (for outgoing water)
  • Shower attachment
  • Floating Thermometer
  • Fish Net (for debris)
  • Rolling Carrying Case