Is waterbirth an option and is it safe?
Yes, many midwifery clients of mine have found that the pain relief achieved by warm water is one of the best attributes of an out-of-hospital birth. Deschutes Midwifery has labor tubs available if you choose to use them. And yes, waterbirth is very safe, in fact worldwide statistics show that waterbirth, without the use of drugs, is the safest way to be born. The concern of most parents is will their baby inhale water and drown? Babies have what is called a dive reflex which causes them to swallow instead of inhale when water gets in their mouth or nose. They swallow and then hold their breath. Because they are still attached to the umbilical cord, they continue to receive all their needed oxygen through it, making it unnecessary to breathe up to several minutes after birth.
