If you’ve decided you want a water birth but you’re unsure how to plan it, here’s how you arrange to get a birthing pool and prepare yourself for using it.
Many women are interested in the idea, but anxious that a pool will not be available, and so miss out on planning a water birth. But there is a way – you can use one on the NHS, hire one or buy one. Here’s how to get a birthing pool and how to prepare yourself for using it.
1. How to find out about NHS birthing pools, or hire one or even buy one
Pools have become more popular so that means midwife-led units and obstetric units have more of them, hooray. Some NHS trusts have pools and your midwife will tell you how many are available locally. You could also look at your local hospital trust’s website to find out which local NHS units have pools. The website Which? Birth Choice can show your options too.
The only snag is that you cannot book hospital and midwife-led centre birthing pools in advance with your midwife. In any case, it’s a good idea to say to them you’re hoping to use one when you contact the midwife when you go into labour.
Anorganisation that might have pools they can lend or hire to you includes your local Positive Birth Movement group.
If it comes to buying one, several companies hire or sell birth pools and you can find them easily on the internet.
2. You can use a birthing pool at home
It’s a little more than a paddling pool and you’d be right in thinking it involves more than sploshing some water in there and hoping for the best. You’ll need to read the information that the pool provider gives you about how to use their particular pool.
Something to remember is that pools should not be left filled and heated before labour starts as it’d be a possible infection risk (Public Health England, 2014). See our article about how to labour in water or have a water birth for more about what to do when things get started. NICE guidelines say that midwives monitor the temperature of pool hourly to make sure the water temperature does not go above 37.5°C (NICE, 2014).
3. Preparing to use a pool in hospital or a birth centre
All staff are trained to use the pool, so try not to worry. If you are nervous about using the pool, you could ask about how your midwife’s training would support you if you need it. You could also ask about equipment like hoists (to remove an unwell woman from the pool) and telemetry (wireless monitoring).
Pools are cleaned between each woman so they’ll be spick and span by the time you get in there.
If a pool is not available your labour room, you are likely to have either a shower or bath that you can use for labour.
4. What you could wear for labouring in water
- Some women prefer to be naked during labour.
- Some women choose to wear a T-shirt, crop top, or bikini top. Some will keep knickers on during labour until near the end, and others take them off when they get into the water.When the baby is born, women will be encouraged to put their baby on them skin-to-skin, so this might mean taking off a T-shirt at that point.
- Dry clothes for when you get out of the water.
- Towels for when you get out.
5. What you might want for a water birth
- A jug to pour water over the bump or back.
- Something to pad the floor of the pool, or to lean on in the water or over the side of the pool.
- Birth supports like straws, massage aids, music and a helpful birth partner.
6. How your NCT antenatal course can help you to prepare
Going to an NCT antenatal coursewill help to prepare you for the different ways of working with pain in labour. The teacher will talk about water births in more or less depth depending on the course length, what the women attending need and pool availability in your area. They are likely to direct you to sources of information about what birth pools are available at local NHS trusts, and gain an understanding of water as a form of pain relief.
This page was lastreviewed in March2019, amended December 2023.
Further information
Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.
We also offer antenatal courseswhich are a great way to find out more about pregnancy, labour and life with a new baby.
You could take a look at AIMS for support finding your way through the maternity services system.
If you want support with or to make your voice heard about the maternity service you are receiving, you can contact Maternity Voices Partnerships (MVP).
To view and compare your maternity options locally, you can look at the Which? Birth Choice website.
FAQs
Water Birth Risks
- You or your baby could get an infection.
- The umbilical cord could snap before your baby comes out of the water.
- Your baby's body temperature could be too high or too low.
- Your baby could breathe in bath water.
- Your baby could have seizures or not be able to breathe.
If you are healthy, between 37 and 41 weeks in your pregnancy, your baby doesn't have any known fetal abnormalities that could put you or your child at risk (like placenta previa, for example), and you want to labor and/or give birth in water, you could be a good candidate for a midwife-attended water-birth.
Does insurance cover a water birth? ›
Is water birth covered by medical insurance? “Water birth, which is covered by insurance the same way traditional birthing options* are,” says Shatken-Stern, “are a great way to bring a bit more of control and natural relief to the birthing process.
Does waterbirth prevent tearing? ›
Can water births prevent tearing, episiotomy or interventions? It won't prevent tearing or episiotomy but it's possible water births might make them less likely.
What are the rules for water birth? ›
If you choose to birth your baby in water:
During the birth of your baby's head, your baby should not be touched or stimulated in any way. Once born, your baby will be gently brought to the surface. Your baby's head must not be re-immersed in water. You will need assistance when leaving the water.
Who Cannot have a water birth? ›
It is not advisable for you to use the pool if: • If you have a medical condition or serious infection. monitoring). during your pregnancy we would recommend avoiding use of the birthing pool due to the increased likelihood of your baby being larger and possible complications during the birth.
What is the lotus birthing method? ›
Lotus birth is the practice of leaving the umbilical cord and placenta attached to newborn until natural detachment from the umbilicus. This practice was named after Clair Lotus who observed that chimpanzee did not separate the placenta from the newborn.
What is the truth about water birth? ›
Water Birth Risks and Complications. For the most part, water births themselves are not significantly more dangerous than deliveries out of water. But when they take place outside of a hospital setting, there's an increased risk because you might not have access to immediate emergency medical help.
What to wear for water birth? ›
You can wear whatever you feel most comfortable in. Some women prefer to be naked when they give birth in water as it gives you freedom to move around without clothing getting in the way and you can have immediate skin to skin contact with your baby when it is born. Others wear a cropped top, bikini top or t shirt.
Can you get an epidural in water birth? ›
It is not safe for women who are laboring in water to receive pain medications. If you are planning to receive an epidural or intravenous pain medication, you should not elect a water birth. If you decide while laboring in water that you want to receive pain medication, you will exit the water and give birth in a bed.
With the Bradley Method, women are taught relaxation exercises to help endure labor. The “coach” is the woman's main support; the coach's role is to aid her in achieving a physiologic birth and to help to keep outside factors from interfering with the process.
What are the disadvantages of water birth? ›
The time that the baby spends underwater during a water birth is often a top concern for many care professionals. Since blood, other fluids and solids are a natural part of labor and delivery, babies could be exposed to bacteria if they open their eyes or mouth underwater. And that could possibly lead to infection.
How to plan a water birth? ›
First check with your healthcare provider. They may already be equipped for a water birth with a special tub or might know of a location in your area that is equipped for this. If you plan to give birth at a hospital, make sure their policies permit water birth.
Are water births pain free? ›
Benefits of laboring in water
Less pain medication: Some studies show that women who labor in water need less pain medication and may have a shorter first stage of labor. Relaxation: Floating in water can be soothing for many women. Your muscles don't have to work as hard to support you.
Is giving birth in water less painful? ›
Benefits of laboring in water
A positive birth experience: Women who have labored or given birth in water say they had less pain and a greater sense of control. Less pain medication: Some studies show that women who labor in water need less pain medication and may have a shorter first stage of labor.
What do you wear during a water birth? ›
You can wear whatever you feel most comfortable in. Some women prefer to be naked when they give birth in water as it gives you freedom to move around without clothing getting in the way and you can have immediate skin to skin contact with your baby when it is born. Others wear a cropped top, bikini top or t shirt.
Are water births high risk? ›
Are there other risks? Waterbirth is extremely safe and evidence from numerous studies have confirmed the many advantages of giving birth in water, for both mothers and babies. However, there have been very rare documented cases of drowning, rupture of the umbilical cord, respiratory problems and waterborne infection.
What helps pain during water birth? ›
You may like to consider using aromatherapy oils or Entonox (gas and air) to help in addition to the water. If this does not provide enough pain relief for you the midwife may advise you to leave the pool for other pain relief such as Pethidine or an epidural.
