As an expectant mother, you care tremendously for your baby. You want to make sure you give your child the best start in life, but you also need to care for yourself during the birthing process. Water birth is a gentle, natural method of childbirth. There are many advantages to choosing this method of labor. Here are four key benefits you can receive from having a water birth:

1. Calm and Relaxing

Labor can be an understandably stressful time. Many women find the contractions of labor painful, and it's easy to worry about the things that could go wrong. However, it's vital that you stay calm during labor. Stress hormones can interfere with your body's natural processes. When you're relaxed, the labor process will move more swiftly. Water births are inherently very soothing. The feeling of warm water against your skin can help you relax and surrender to your body's labor preparations.

2. Midwife Care

Water births are typically conducted in birth centers rather than hospitals. Your water birth will be attended by a midwife who has assisted many laboring women. A midwife will monitor you as you progress through labor, offering reassurance and information about your condition. They will ensure your cervix continues to dilate on schedule and let you know when it's time to push your baby out. Many women find midwife-attended births more comfortable, especially if they want to minimize unnecessary birth interventions.

3. The Ability to Move Freely

In a hospital, doctors usually prefer that laboring mothers stay in one position. It's easiest to monitor a pregnant woman's condition using machines if she lays flat on her back. However, many women find a supine laboring position uncomfortable. When you choose a water birth, you will have the ability to move freely. You can stand, sit, or recline in the water bath. You can move your arms and legs gently, which some women find relieves their pain. Water births offer a more intuitive style of labor, where you can follow your body's impulses and move in ways that feel best to you.

4. An Unmedicated Birth

Epidurals are available to women who would like pain medication during labor. However, some women prefer to experience labor without medication for health or personal reasons. Many expectant mothers find that water births are more comfortable than giving birth in a hospital or a bed. If you would like an unmedicated birth, choosing a water birth center for your delivery can help you fulfill your goal.