A different labor: Water births see increased interest from soon-to-be moms

Although it's less traditional, the rising interest in water births is more than just a fad.

According to medical experts, women who choose to have a water birth see plenty of extra benefits.

Joann Falcon, a certified professional midwife who assists women in the Cape Girardeau area with at-home water births, said the water helps take the edge off the labor pains and makes it easier to move around. The water also induces a chemical and hormonal change, she said.

"It helps enhance the labor," said Falcon. "Oxytocin is released about 30 minutes after being in the water. After about two hours in the water... (women) get out for 20 to 30 minutes, which helps reactivate the process. So it's a natural way to help speed up the process."

One of the women Falcon assisted with an at-home water birth was Leslie Hazelwood. Hazelwood said she had opted for the traditional hospital birth with her first child and noticed plenty of differences between the two.

"During the pushing stage, the heat (from the water) really helps with the cramping and pains," she said. "It's very soothing while you're in the water. It also helps your uterus to stretch so it's less likely to tear."

Kristin Renaud chose to have her water birth at Southeast Hospital, where she was the hospital's first official water birth. She said she chose to go this route because it was a goal she set for herself to try something new.

"With my first child, I wouldn't have dare done it for fear of the unknown," she said. "But by my third, I felt more comfortable."

Renaud also said the buoyancy effect of the water "definitely" reduced the pressure and helped with pain management.

While water births do have plenty of natural benefits, Falcon said it's important to remember that not all labor experiences are the same. For example, the water's warm temperatures can be a problem for some women and force them to move from the water to the bed.

"There can be an overheating issue," she said. "You want the temperature of the water to be not much over 100 degrees and not much under 97 ... around body temperature. You don't want the baby to get too hot or too cold."

Renaud said she never experienced any overheating, but Hazelwood said the water's warm temperatures did become a problem for her by the end of her labor.

"I started to get hot during the pushing stage and decided to get out and move to the bed," she said.

Despite the heat, Hazelwood said she still considered her water birth to be a "positive experience" and would encourage other women to consider the option.

Renaud also recommends water birth. She and Falcon both said early research was important, however.

"I would definitely tell people, don't decide a month before the baby's due," Renaud said. "Do your research, because there are a lot of different techniques out there."