Water Birth
We are experienced in waterbirths and enjoy providing care for women who choose this option. Many of our clients choose to use one of our pools to labour and give birth in, including women who have previously had caesarian sections. However, some women choose to labour in water and get out to give birth. It's their choice.
Using water enables the woman to move freely and adopt any postion she feels like, aided by the buoyancy of the water. It is a marvellous relief for aching backs or for women who feel their contractions in their back. Our clients have told us that they feel very safe and comforted by being in a cosy, warm, egg-shaped pool!
Feeling safe and relaxed means that the body then produces its own natural pain-relieving hormones called endorphins and thus the body is able to get on with producing other hormones which are vital to the process of labour and birth. The production of these hormones can be interrupted by fear, uneccessary interference with the labouring woman, bright lights or loud noise, in short, anything which makes the woman feel uncomfortable or unsafe. For this reason we are quiet and respectful at births, providing support and guidance as gently as possible. Having said that, we also have had clients who were very happy to have the TV on or play loud music in labour and gave birth just fine!
If you choose to use a pool we will bring it to your home and put it up, usually at around 37 weeks. We supply all the neccessary equipment such as a new pool liner, hosepipe, heat retainer and pump for emptying it after the birth. Use of the pool is included in our overall fee, so there are no "hidden" extras.
The baby is born underwater and gently brought to the surface either by you, your partner or the midwife. It is a very gentle way to be born and babies born this way rarely seem to cry at first and soon open their eyes to see what they can of their mother.
New for 2008/09
We now offer workshops specifically for those interested in exploring the option of a waterbirth. A fun, informative and practical half-day workshop where all your questions are answered. A chance to have a "dry run"... Try the pool out for size (no water!)
We also supply birth balls which are useful both during pregnancy and during labour. They are very helpful for backache of pregnancy, providing gentle exercise and aiding mobility whilst you sit on one and gently rock or make small circular movements.They are very comfortable to sit on, providing support, but also with some "give" to the pelvis.
Another way to use one is to lean over it (bump permitting, of course!) almost hugging it and rocking back and forth. Women have said that they find this rhythmic movement comforting and a relief for an aching back, either in pregnancy or during labour.
If your partner its on a chair, they can hold the ball in place whilst you lean over it, head towards your partner, so that they can also massage your shoulders and back.
Leaning over the ball this way is also an excellent postion for giving birth in, should you so choose. Many women, left to follow thier instincts, will give birth on all-fours, either in water or on dry land. This position enables the pelvis to open to the widest diameters possible thus allowing the birth to proceed well.