Water birth
warmer, gentler, calmer
Warm water relaxes. It relieves pain, gives freedom of movement and makes the transition for your baby gentler. A water birth can be done at home; we arrange the pool.
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More and more women choose a water birth. Not as a statement, but simply because it feels better. The warm water does something to your body that is hard to describe, until you experience it yourself.
Why a water birth?
Less pain
Warm water relaxes the muscles and relieves labour pain. Many women experience the bath as a great relief at the moment they need it most.
A lighter feeling
The water supports your body and makes moving a lot easier. That gives you the freedom to change position and let your body do what it wants.
Fewer tears
Water makes the tissue more supple. This reduces the risk of tears and the need for medical interventions.
More oxytocin
Warm water stimulates the production of oxytocin, the hormone that keeps contractions going and relaxes you. And more endorphins as a natural painkiller.
Partner present
Your partner can simply be beside the bath, or step in. No barriers, no fuss, just together.
At home, your way
In your own home, at the moment you are ready. The bath fits in the living room, bedroom or kitchen.
How does it work?
Home visit beforehand
We come to visit you to check the space, fit the bath and discuss everything. So you know exactly what to expect.
Setting up the bath
When labour is well underway, we set up the bath. This takes about 20 minutes. You do not need to do anything for this.
You in the bath
You get in the bath when you want, and you get out again when you want. There is no moment when you "have to".
Birth in the water
Babies only breathe when they come into contact with air. In water this is instinctively safe, they have a reflex that prevents this. Your midwife monitors this closely.
Clean-up
We handle the clean-up, disconnecting and disposal. We use a new, sealed liner for each birth, clean and hygienic.
Practical
Costs
XCG 375
Including bath rental, set-up, connection, dismantling and cleaning. A new sealed liner for each birth.
What do you need?
A garden hose of ~5 metres
Non-toxic, without metal parts. Available at Kooyman. We will tell you exactly what you need.
Space
Fits even in small spaces
We check in advance whether the bath fits your situation. Living room, bedroom or kitchen, it nearly always works.
Safety
Always supervised
A water birth is safe when guided by a trained midwife. We assess each situation individually.
Frequently asked questions
Can my baby breathe in water?
This is the most frequently asked question, and an understandable one. Babies only breathe when they come into contact with air. As long as they are under water, they automatically activate a reflex that prevents breathing. This is innate and well researched. We monitor the birth closely, so that the transition from water to air is calm and safe.
Is a water birth safe, and possible for everyone?
A water birth is safe as long as it is guided by a trained midwife, and that is exactly what we do for every water birth we support. Whether it is possible for you is assessed on a case-by-case basis: we discuss this during the home visit beforehand, along with anything else you want to know. Not sure? Just ask, we are happy to think it through with you.
What does a water birth cost and what do I need myself?
A water birth at Mirasoon costs XCG 375, including bath rental, set-up, connection, dismantling and cleaning. We use a new, sealed liner for each birth. The only thing you need yourself is a garden hose of about 5 metres, non-toxic and without metal parts, available at Kooyman. We tell you exactly what to have ready beforehand.
Does a birthing pool fit in a small home, and do I have to stay in it until the birth is over?
Yes, we check in advance whether the pool fits your situation: living room, bedroom or kitchen, it works almost always, even in small spaces. And no, you decide yourself when to get in and when you want to get out again; there is no moment when you have to be in it. Prefer to give birth partly outside the pool after all? That is always fine, we adapt to you.