What is Hydrotherapy?
Natural birth is an empowering experience. It allows the birthing person to be in control of their body and make decisions that are best for them. When you choose natural childbirth, that means you are not using medication to help manage pain or progress through labor, and instead are relying on different relaxation techniques to control the waves of contractions. One of the most popular ways to do this is by using hydrotherapy!
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is when you submerge your body in warm water to provide relaxation and pain relief. It can be utilized during any part of labor, whether it’s early labor or active labor. However, hydrotherapy is slightly different from water birth. When the baby is delivered underwater in a special birthing tub, that is known as water birth, but hydrotherapy is all about using water to labor in and soothe your body before delivery.
There are many different ways to use hydrotherapy, and it all depends on what is most comfortable for you. Some prefer to stand in a shower or sit on a birthing ball while the water hits them, while others like a full body immersion in a tub. Research has shown that using hydrotherapy during labor can decrease the use of anesthesia for birthing people, helping them achieve the natural birth they are after.
Water Birth
When our bodies are submerged under water, they become more buoyant. We experience this all of the time when we get into a pool and feel much lighter. This experience is perfect for a laboring person because it allows them to move their body easily into different positions and help their baby descend through the birth canal. This, as well as many other benefits, are why some birthing people choose hydrotherapy and water birth.
Birthing Tubs
Water is extremely therapeutic, which is why hydrotherapy is amazing. If hydrotherapy or even water birth is something you are after for your birth, Brilliant Birth offers three different birthing tub rental options!
La Bassine - The La Bassine pool is ergonomically designed to facilitate a holistic birthing experience. The grips and handles make it easier for you to adopt the most comfortable and natural positions during labor and birth. They also feature a deep inflated floor and walls for more comfortable and active birthing positions, such as kneeling and squatting.
AquaDoula - The AquaDoula birth tub is the original heated, portable birth pool developed specifically for labor and water birth. Its heating system and solid-state controls maintain a consistent water temperature with minimal heat loss during extended labor.
Eco Mini - The Eco Mini professional pool is perfect for laboring and birthing in a small setting. With a petite footprint of 4.5 by 5.5 feet, this tub can easily fit smaller bedrooms and apartments. It is designed with both top and internal handles to help you control your movement and comes with an internal seat to help you adopt alternative positions during labor.
Hydrotherapy is not always the best option for everyone, so it is best to talk with your care provider when deciding on your birth plan. If you want to learn more about your options for hydrotherapy and find out how hiring a doula can help you achieve your natural birth plan, send us a message!
