Hydrotherapy & Water Birth
Explore the benefits of warm water immersion hydrotherapy during labor and birth at Mount Auburn Hospital.
Benefits of Hydrotherapy During Labor
You may labor in water even if you don’t intend to or can’t deliver in the water. All of our birth care providers offer this option. According to the American College of Nurse-Midwives, laboring while immersed in water:
- Provides comfort
- Supports relaxation
- Relieves pain
- May speed up cervical dilation
- May resolve unusually slow labor
Can I Have a Water Birth?
At Mount Auburn, you’ll find certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) with the expertise to help you decide whether water birth is a safe option for you and your baby. You may be a candidate for a water birth if you have a low-risk, full-term pregnancy with a single baby.
Water Birth Facilities
If you choose to have a water birth at Bain Birthing Center, ask about our special labor/delivery/recovery (LDR) room with a permanent, freestanding birthing tub.
How to Prepare for a Water Birth
If you and your midwife decide a water birth may fit into your birth plan, you can prepare by:
- Staying healthy by eating well and getting recommended physical activity
- Preparing for an unmediated birth by attending a childbirth education class such as Natural Childbirth or HypnoBirthing®
- Discussing any complications that arise during your pregnancy with your prenatal care provider
