Water Birth
Ohio State‘s Maternity Center offers built-in hydrotherapy tubs to give central Ohio families the option of a water birth.
As water birth and hydrotherapy become increasingly popular methods of labor and delivery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is proud to offer the only permanent water birth tubs in Columbus, Ohio.
Our expert obstetrical team understands the importance of giving you and your family options when it comes to your pregnancy, how you labor and what it’s like when you finally meet your baby. If you’re considering a water birth with one of our dedicated certified nurse-midwives, know that the decision is flexible and that you can change locations throughout labor and delivery. Some people prefer to labor in the tub and get out before delivery, while others choose to give birth in the tub. Some people labor in the tub before opting for other pain relief options, like an epidural.
What is a water birth?
A water birth is when you deliver your baby in a birthing tub whereas hydrotherapy is a broader term that includes laboring in the shower or tub to use water as a pain relief option.
There are many reasons why someone might choose hydrotherapy, including the potential to experience less stress, greater comfort and higher patient satisfaction. It can also be a great tool to help you achieve an unmedicated birth, if that’s your goal.
Ohio State’s state-of-the-art Maternity Center is home to two rooms with permanent hydrotherapy tubs. While in use, these tubs are partially filled with water that’s kept at human body temperature, around 98.6–100 degrees. The water should feel comfortable, but it’s not a hot tub. Unlike a normal bath, you can’t add essential oils or bubbles.
In addition, portable tubs are available if those rooms are already occupied at the time of your labor and delivery. The portable tubs have disposable liners to decrease the risk of infection and eliminate cross-contamination.
You can begin hydrotherapy once you’re in active labor, at roughly 6 centimeters dilated. The baby must have a healthy heart rate, which we will continue to monitor with a waterproof fetal monitor.
Who is eligible for a water birth?
Hydrotherapy or a water birth are options for most people with low-risk pregnancies. If you’re considering a water birth, you must be a patient of one of our certified nurse-midwives, who are expertly trained in hydrotherapy for pregnancy.
It’s important to discuss with your clinician whether you’re a candidate for a water birth, because not all high-risk pregnancies are ineligible for that type of delivery. Also, while you may not be a candidate for a water birth, you may still be able to use the tub for hydrotherapy during your labor.
Some scenarios that might prevent a water birth include:
- You have certain high-risk pregnancy conditions.
- You go into labor prematurely.
- Your baby is in the breech position.
- You have high blood pressure or preeclampsia.
- You’re diagnosed with an infection such as herpes, which can spread in water.
Why choose a water birth?
Many people find that sitting in a warm, relaxing tub is a soothing, comfortable way to go through labor and delivery.
Benefits of hydrotherapy include:
- Reduced desire for anesthesia
- Increased comfort during labor
- Buoyancy in the water makes it easier to move and find more comfortable positions
- Less risk of vaginal tearing due to a more elastic, relaxed perineum
- Shortened labor duration because of relaxation
- Increased sense of privacy while submerged in water
- Higher reported patient satisfaction
Choosing if a water birth is right for you
Elizabeth Austin, APRN-CNM, a certified nurse-midwife at Ohio State, discusses the advantages and risks of having a water birth.
How to prepare for a water birth
In the womb, your baby is submerged in amniotic fluid for nine months, so giving birth in water is a similar environment. We follow rigorous guidelines to ensure you and your baby remain safe.
Risks of hydrotherapy are rare but can include:
- You or your baby could get an infection from bacteria in the tub.
- The umbilical cord could detach while bringing the baby to the surface.
- Baby’s body temperature could be too high or too low.
- Baby could swallow water.
- You could have increased bleeding after delivery.
Your nurse-midwife will prepare a space nearby the tub so you can quickly exit the water for the delivery if necessary.
Why should you choose Ohio State for your water birth?
If you’re considering a water birth, Ohio State’s Maternity Center is the only hospital in central Ohio that offers hydrotherapy, but more than that, we provide a private, welcoming and calm space to deliver your baby. Other reasons you might prefer to give birth at Ohio State include:
Bright, luxe Maternity Center
From floor-to-ceiling windows that fill each private room with natural light, to thoughtfully designed furniture and convenience features, like ordering coffee from your phone, every detail is designed to be indulgent and restorative.
Stunning views of Columbus
Relax and recover in rooms full of natural light with stunning, 360-degree views of Ohio State’s campus and downtown Columbus from the top floors of the hospital.
Family-friendly, spacious rooms
The new maternity area is spacious, allowing your loved ones to be together, with added touches like a family space for larger gatherings and a fold-out couch in each room for overnight guests. Rooms at the new Ohio State University Hospital are all private, including maternal special care rooms (before birth) and the neonatal intensive care unit.
Holistic, coordinated certified nurse-midwife support
If you choose to have a pregnancy supported by a certified nurse-midwife, our midwifery team will collaborate to provide care throughout your pregnancy, labor and delivery. This care has an emphasis on giving you options and control over the care you receive during pregnancy.
Nationally ranked in obstetrics and gynecology
U.S. News & World Report ranks Ohio State No. 44 among the best hospitals in the nation for obstetrics and gynecology. In addition, they also rate us “High Performing” in maternity care, the only hospital in Columbus to receive this designation.
Frequently asked questions about water birth
You can’t reserve a water birth room in advance. You’ll need to request one upon admission. If one isn’t available, you can use a portable tub in another labor and delivery room.
Your nurse-midwife will monitor you and your baby throughout labor in the water, similarly to monitoring outside of the tub. We use a waterproof Doppler tool to check the fetal heart rate and can examine you while you're still in the tub. If continuous fetal monitoring is required during labor, we have wireless equipment that is safe to use in the tubs.
Once you have an epidural, you can no longer enter a hydrotherapy tub. However, some people start out laboring in a tub and then later decide to get an epidural. The choice will be up to you.
No, only the laboring patient can be in the tub.
This is very rare, since the baby is submerged in amniotic fluid. Your baby should continue to get oxygen through the umbilical cord until the newborn’s lungs are exposed to air. This is due to what’s called the diver’s effect. To prevent this, the baby is brought to the surface of the water immediately after birth.
Submerging in extremely hot water during pregnancy can cause dehydration and overheating. The birthing tubs in our maternity center are designed to avoid this. A hydrotherapy pool is kept at the same temperature as your body.