Why water birth is the coolest

Ben and I had our water birth orientation and birth place tour last night. The nurses were fantastic, and it was great to see where the actual labor and delivery will take place.

My hospital (Mercy Medical Center) has done about 50 water births since 2007. That number seemed low to me (probably because I think the concept is so incredibly cool). But to do a water birth you can't have an epidural, which likely eliminates a huge portion of the birthing population.

Some of the benefits that really spoke to me:

• Water birth speeds up labor
• Water birth allows the mother to feel more in control
• Water birth provides significant pain relief and promotes relaxation
• Water birth conserves energy
• Water birth reduces the need for drugs and other interventions
• Water birth reduces perineal trauma and eliminates episiotomies
• Water birth encourages an easier birth for mother and a gentler welcome for baby

Right on.