Relaxing in a warm bath to relieve pain has been used for everything from backache, aching muscles, strenuous exercise, or menstrual pain. More and more women are discovering how wonderful a pool of warm water can be during labor and birth.

Lying in warm water increases venous pressure so that veins can return blood to the heart more efficiently and your baby receives more oxygen. It enhances cardiac action and slows the pulse rate. Total relaxation in the warmth and comfort of the water helps the uterus to contract more effectively. Water also counteracts the force of gravity and any pressure a woman feels inside her body, so there is a further pain relieving effect. Water helps the woman surrender to the birth process and it creates a feeling of tranquility to the whole birth experience.

If your birthing plans include a waterbirth, we are highly experienced in waterbirth and recognize the many advantages of water such as comfort, pain relief, and freedom of movement. We have more experience with waterbirth than anyone in Oregon.