Supporting informed access to water in Labour and birth in Ontario. Let’s take a look at a study on waterbirth in Sweden found….

This study (read the study here) takes a fair look at just over 300 women giving birth in water and 300 women giving birth on land in Sweden The results found that women giving birth in water had a lower chance of serious perineal tears, their labor was shorter, and they experienced fewer interventions compared to the other group. Apgar scores (scores given at least at 1 & 5 mins post-birth to assess newborn) & neonatal intensive care admissions were similar. Women who gave birth in water rated their experience higher, indicating it was more positive. There is a low risk of cord avulsion in waterbirth so women and practitioners shoulder be knowledgable to check for nuchal cords and cord tension as baby is born.

To dive into the topic of cord avulsion just a little more; one study shows a difference in rates of cord avulsion as 4.3 per 1000 in waterbirth vs 1.3 per 1000 in land birth. As a Certified Childbirth Educator and waterbirth facilitator, I teach my clients who are preparing for a waterbirth to pay close attention to cord length, nuchal cords and cord tension as baby’s head and body are born. Knowledge is power in preventing accidents in birth, whether on land or in the water. It is important always to seek support from a midwife or doctor to ensure proper care is taken of the umbilical cord, and to have cord clamps available if it’s a home birth.

In my own practice, as a Doula in Toronto and now, also a Doula in the Blue Mountains and across Central Ontario, I have found waterbirth to be satisfying, and water labour equally as satisfying, for women who choose to use water immersion for birth. Women who laboured in the water on and off but birthed out of the water seem more content with how their labour/birth went. It’s not surprising that recovery from waterbirth is often easier, as I have observed. The risks are very low for most women who wish to use water in labour and birth, and the risk of cord avulsion can be supported/mitigated by knowledge on how to prevent it.

Women who want to lower their chance of tearing in birth and reduce chance of assisted birth deserve to have the choice to use water. I believe warm water access is a right to all women/individuals giving birth. It is also important that individuals are considered for their individual risk factors. Sometimes, water is an ideal therapy in labour/birth even for those considered “high-risk”. Different providers who have different training backgrounds may have starkly differing opions on waterbirth. Talk to a variety of providers, doulas, and educators to learn about your options and discover what’s right for you. Do your research, not just on Google. Access high qualities studies, listen to stories (I mean listen, read, watch videos, listen some more, seek out waterbirth stories relative to you/any conditions you may have). While waterbirth isn’t always the best option for you, it is an option worth understanding. Doulas can help you sift through and uncover the best options for you.

If you’re looking for more information about waterbirth, contact us to book a free 30-minute zoom consultation with a Doula and PDCCE Leah Jackson, based near Collingwood, Ontario.

Leah attends births as a doula in Central Ontario including Grey-Bruce county, the Muskoka region, Aurora, Orangeville, and Toronto. Leah supports waterbirth and hospital birth, including VBAC births, Cesarean births, unmedicated births, twin and multiples births, and more. With over 10+ years experience as a Birth & Postpartum Doula, Leah has trained in Midwifery Assistance at The Farm, home of Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin. Leah is a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher (Power Yoga Canada) and Childbirth Educator (ProDoula). Leah’s passion is reducing violence in birth, improving maternal and neonatal experience and providing mindful care to families.