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Water Immersion Therapy

Fitzroy Maternity

Your choice in mind

At St Vincent’s Private we acknowledge that your choices and care during labour and birth can impact your journey to motherhood, including your long term health and wellbeing. We aim to provide you with information to support your decision making.

Bath

Warm water immersion during labour offers comfort, relaxation and pain relief. Women who use water during labour describe feeling empowered, liberated and deeply satisfied with an increased sense of control.

During labour warm water offers an environment where a woman can move freely, behave instinctively and feel more in control.

Water provides support and buoyancy that promotes relaxation and offers a sense of weightlessness. Moving in water helps the birth process and reduces the need for birth intervention.

Warm water immersion in labour promotes the release of muscle tension and increases production of endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving hormone.

The majority of research regarding risks, benefits and safety of water immersion has focused largely on water immersion in the second stage of labour for women considered “Low Risk”.

This means that a clinical assessment will be made in consultation with your Obstetrician to determine the use of the water immersion bath as an adjunct pain relief therapy and not to be utilised for birthing in. If you would like to discuss water immersion therapy in your labour, please chat with your Obstetrician at your next consultation. 


Please note that not all obstetricians and midwives offer water immersion therapy. A clinical assessment will be required to determine your suitability. Baths are available in three birth suites, so water immersion therapy will depend on room availability at the time of your admission.