Water Labor and Birth

• Water labor is when a woman relaxes in a tub of warm water when she goes into labor. Water birth is when she gives birth while in the same warm water.
  
  

Relaxation

• Both water labor and water birth are more relaxing for the mother, allowing her muscles to function better than in a traditional birthing bed.
  
  

Buoyancy

• Both water labor and water birth can take strain off of the mother by helping her feel lighter as she pushes.
  
  

Pain Relief

• Warm water, both in the case of water labor and water birth, can help relieve a woman's pain naturally.
  
  

Dangers

• Water labor is safe, and hasn't shown any damaging side effects. However, water birth can result in a baby inhaling water before it's exposed to air if their body overrides their natural reaction to not inhale until out of the water.