Waterbirth

Many women now use water to labour in and some also choose to give birth in water.

The advantages of water include:

• natural pain relief
• it is gentle for mother 
• creates a safe boundary
• the weightlessness of being in water helps with freedom of movement 
• gentle for baby

If you are planning to birth at home you can hire a birth pool from the Manawatu Home Birth Association - phone 356 BABY and leave a message.

In Palmerston North Hospital most birthing rooms have pools. You may wish to check on hospital protocols and policies regarding using water for labour and/or birth and about staff experience with water birth.

Check with your midwife about her experience with waterbirth.