Is Water Birth Right for You? What to Expect, Benefits, and Safety
If you’re planning a home birth in Cheyenne or Laramie Wyoming, Northern Colorado or any surrounding areas, water birth is one of the most commonly requested birth options that we provide.
Water birth is one of the most requested options in out-of-hospital birth; and for good reason. There’s something instinctive about laboring in water.
It creates space for the body to soften, for movement to feel easier, and for labor to unfold more gently. For many families, it becomes one of the most memorable parts of their birth experience.
What Is a Water Birth?
A water birth is when a woman labors and gives birth in a tub of warm water.
Some choose to:
Labor in water and birth outside the tub
Labor and give birth in the water
Both are valid options, and decisions are made based on what feels right in the moment and what is clinically appropriate.
Benefits of Water Birth
Water can have a powerful effect on the body during labor.
Many clients experience:
Increased relaxation and reduced tension
Natural pain relief
Greater freedom of movement
Less pressure on joints and muscles
A calmer, more supported labor environment
Water can also support:
More efficient contractions
Reduced need for intervention
A gentler transition for baby
Is Water Birth Safe?
For healthy, low-risk pregnancies, water birth is considered a safe option when attended by a trained provider.
Safety includes:
Monitoring of both mother and baby
Clear criteria for entering and exiting the tub
The ability to respond quickly if anything changes
As a midwife, I am continuously assessing:
Fetal heart tones
Labor progression
Maternal well-being
If anything falls outside of normal, we adjust accordingly. Including getting out of the tub if needed.
Water birth safety is not just about the setting, it’s about the training and experience of the provider.
I have completed multiple specialized trainings in water birth including through Waterbirth International and am a certified waterbirth provider. This training focuses on safety protocols, risk assessment, and hands-on management of both normal and unexpected situations in the water.
This allows me to support water births with both confidence and clinical awareness, ensuring that safety remains the priority while honoring physiologic birth.
What Does It Feel Like?
Many people describe water labor as:
More manageable
Less intense
Easier to move through
“Nature’s epidural”
The warmth of the water helps the body release tension, which can allow labor to progress more smoothly.
For some, it creates a sense of privacy and calm that’s hard to replicate outside the water.
What to Expect During a Water Birth
If you choose a water birth, we will guide you through:
When to enter the tub (usually active labor)
Positions that feel supportive
Monitoring baby while you’re in the water
Supporting your baby’s emergence
After birth:
Baby is brought gently to the surface
You remain in control of your movements and positioning
We continue to monitor both you and baby closely
When Water Birth May Not Be Recommended
There are times when water birth may not be appropriate, including:
Certain medical or pregnancy complications
Concerns with fetal heart tones
Excessive bleeding
Meconium or other clinical concerns
Your safety always comes first, and we will guide you in real time.
Common Concerns About Water Birth
It’s completely normal to have questions (or even hesitations) about water birth.
Most of the concerns people hear about are rare, but they’re still important to talk through openly.
“Is it safe for my baby to be born in water?”
For healthy, low-risk pregnancies, research shows that babies born in water have similar outcomes to babies born on land, including breathing, Apgar scores, and overall well-being .
As your midwife, I am continuously monitoring both you and your baby throughout labor and birth to ensure everything remains within normal limits.
What about cord avulsion?
One of the more commonly discussed risks is cord avulsion, which is when the umbilical cord separates earlier than expected after birth.
Here’s what’s important to understand:
It is rare (occurring in about 0.57% of water births)
It is typically manageable when recognized immediately
It is often related to bringing baby up too quickly
In practice, we prevent this by:
Moving slowly and intentionally
Allowing baby to be brought gently to the surface
Supporting the cord and baby during transition
This is something we are trained to anticipate and manage.
“Is there a risk of infection?”
With proper setup, clean water, and appropriate screening, research shows no increased risk of infection for either parent or baby compared to land birth .
We follow strict protocols for:
Tub setup and sanitation
Water temperature
Ongoing monitoring
A Balanced Perspective
Like all birth options, water birth comes with both benefits and considerations.
The key to safety isn’t avoiding all risk
it’s having a skilled provider, clear protocols, and the ability to respond when needed.
When those pieces are in place, water birth can be a safe and supportive option for many families.
Is Water Birth Right for You?
Some clients love it.
Some try it and get out.
Some never get in at all.
All of those experiences are valid.
Final Thoughts
Birth is deeply individual.
Water is simply one tool that can support the process…one that many families find comforting, empowering, and effective.
If you’re curious about water birth or wondering if it’s a good fit for you, I’d love to talk more about it with you.
Want to Learn More?
If you’d like to explore the research behind water birth in more depth, Evidence Based Birth® provides a comprehensive, easy-to-understand review of the current evidence, including benefits, risks, and clinical recommendations. You can read more here: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/waterbirth/
We serve families throughout Southeast Wyoming and Northern Colorado, including Cheyenne, Laramie, Torrington, Wellington and surrounding areas.
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2016). Immersion in water during labor and delivery (Committee Opinion No. 679). Obstetrics & Gynecology, 128(5), e231–e236. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2016/11/immersion-in-water-during-labor-and-delivery
Evidence Based Birth®. (2024). Evidence on waterbirth. https://evidencebasedbirth.com/waterbirth/
McKinney, J. A., Cheng, Y. W., Snowden, J. M., & Caughey, A. B. (2024). Water birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis of maternal and neonatal outcomes. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(23)00604-X/fulltext
