Pregnancy Questions

When a labour starts on its own, it is called spontaneous labour. A labour that is started with medical treatment is called ‘induced’ labour. An induction of labour may be recommended when you or your baby will benefit from birth being brought on sooner rather than waiting for labour to start spontaneously.

The most common reasons for induction are:

• you have a specific health concern, such as high blood pressure or unstable diabetes
• your baby is overdue (more than 41 weeks)
• there are concerns with your baby (less movements, low fluid, not growing well) your waters have already broken but your contractions have not started

If you choose to stay in the water to birth, your baby should be born under the water, then gently but immediately lifted out onto your chest (out of the water). When a baby remains under water as they emerge from the uterus they are unlikely to take a breath, therefore not inhaling the water. The stimulation of emerging from the water into room air stimulates your baby taking their very first breath. From this point on your baby’s head should then be kept above the water.

There are strict guidelines for keeping the water clean during labour and for cleaning the bath or pool to minimise the possibility of infection.

If your body overheats your baby may also get too hot and this can cause the baby’s heart rate to increase. This is very unlikely in the shower or whilst using heat packs. You should feel comfortable in the water but not too hot. You will know you are too hot if you are perspiring (sweating), feel dizzy or faint, or your skin is becoming red from the heat. Your midwife will check the water temperature regularly while you are in the water during labour and/or birth. 

You may be considering using a bath or birth pool for pain relief during the first stage of your labour or having a waterbirth.

Benefits for you and your baby

Water immersion in a bath or a pool during the first stage of labour has been shown to:

▪ decrease the need for pain relieving drugs

▪ make the experience more enjoyable for women.

Waterbirths are associated with low-risks for both the woman and baby when care is provided by midwives and/or doctors who follow best practice guidelines.

Exploring your choices:

• Firstly find out if your maternity service offers the option of immersion in water for labour and/or birth.
• Write down what you would like in your birth plan.

Talk to a midwife and/or doctor to find out more information, in particular:

▪ whether there are any reasons why immersion in water is not advisable for you – the benefits and risks to you and your baby

▪ details about when you would be required to leave the water (if at all).

You will be asked to sign an agreement form if you choose to use water for your labour and/or birth (informed consent).