Waterbirth In Denver
Many of my birth clients are curious about or planning a waterbirth. My first two babes were born “on land” and my last two babes were born in the water. I’m so grateful for each of my different birth experiences, but I did LOVE how it felt to labor, transition, and then birth my baby in the water.
There are many reasons to consider waterbirth, but these are top of my list:
Pain relief: The warm water can help to relieve pain during labor. The buoyancy of the water also helps to take pressure off the body, making it easier to move and change positions.
Relaxation: The warm water can help to promote relaxation and reduce stress…which in turn can help your cervix dilate.
Shorter labor: Some studies have shown that folks who labor in water have shorter labors than those who do not.
Less need for pain medication: warm water helps to relieve pain naturally.
Less tearing: The warm water can help to keep the tissues of the perineum relaxed, which can reduce the risk of tearing during delivery.
Increased bonding: The warm water can create a more relaxed and peaceful environment for parent and baby, which can help to promote bonding.
Benefits for the baby
Warmth: The warm water helps to keep the baby's temperature stable, which is important for preventing hypothermia.
Smooth transition: The warm water can help to create a smooth transition for the baby from the womb to the outside world.
Less stress: The warm water can help to reduce the baby's stress levels, which can lead to a calmer and more peaceful birth experience.
Improved breathing: The warm water can help to improve the baby's breathing, which can reduce the risk of respiratory problems
Here in Denver, we have several options for waterbirth (and thankfully most, if not all hospitals in Denver, allow you to labor in birth tubs as long as you don’t have an epidural). Below are the best options if you want to birth your baby underwater!
Homebirth
Almost all midwives in Denver encourage their clients to set up a birth pool in their house (or potentially even use their own birth tub if it’s large enough). If you’re interviewing homebirth midwives, you can assume that waterbirth is on the table…and you can ask your midwife if they have inflatable pools they loan out.
Generally, midwives recommend getting into the tub when you start to feel like you’re in transition…the point where you think to yourself “I don’t want to do this anymore!” Many folks call the water the “midwife’s epidural” because it can be just that little extra relief to get you past transition. It can also be a great option when you feel tired or need a break/rest.
In terms of waterbirth: homebirth midwives in Denver seem to encourage it the most out of these three options and have the least amount of rules or regulations around using it.
Free Standing Birth Centers
We have several free standing birth centers in the Denver area. Colorado Birth & Wellness, the Birth Center of Denver, Seasons Birth, and the Birth Center of Boulder. All four of these birth centers are free-standing (they aren’t attached to a hospital) and births are attended by CNMs or CPMs.
Like homebirths, waterbirth is recommended for almost all of their clients…and each of these birth centers have rooms with large, beautiful birth tubs. I love these birth tubs because unlike the inflatable ones…they’re solid and can sometimes feel more grounding. They generally aren’t as large as the inflatable ones though.
I do find that some birth centers tend to have more rules around birth tub use so it’s important you get clarification about when you can into the tub and if there are any factors that would mean you couldn’t get into the tub to give birth. For example: meconium in your bag of waters or certain insurance policy rules (Kaiser specifically has threatened NOT to pay for a birth if you give birth in the water…yikes!)
It’s so important to have these discussions with your care team before you go into labor so that you’re not surprised by any rules when you’re giving birth.
Hospitals
As I mentioned, almost all hospitals in Denver have birth rooms with tubs in them…and most providers allow folks to labor in these tubs (I really hate using the world allow…because I think you should always have the option to birth and labor where you want to!) However, there are certain situations that might make laboring in a birth tub difficult or not possible:
If your baby needs constant monitoring, you’ll need waterproof monitors to get into the tub. Most hospitals have these but sometimes they’re in use or not working.
If you have an epidural or are receiving IV pain medication…being in the tub isn’t an option due to safety concerns.
Some hospitals only have birth tubs in certain rooms. If you give birth on a busy night or day…you may not have access to a tub.
Once you start pushing, most providers will ask you to get out of the tub and return to the room.
There is only ONE hospital and ONE practice in Denver that allows you to actually give birth in the water - the University of Colorado at Anschutz with the Center for Midwifery. Just like at home…you give birth in an inflatable birth tub (not the laboring tubs in the bathroom).
It’s really important that folks understand that having a tub and encouraging water therapy during labor is NOT the same as allowing folks to give birth in the water. If you want to have a hospital waterbirth…you need to see the Center for Midwifery at Anschutz (and you also need to be low risk…talk to your midwives about what that means and how it applies to you).
I love that we have this option in Denver…and I hope more hospitals and midwifery groups are able to offer it in the future.
