Introducing Water Births at RAMC: Another Birthing Choice

Most people find great comfort and stress relief with water. Perhaps because we begin our lives surrounded in liquid in the womb, this basic familiarity stays with us throughout our lives.

Because birth is special, Reedsburg Area Medical Center’s Birth Center believes in the importance of personal birth plans and is pleased to offer the water birthing option to expectant parents!

The popularity and publicity surrounding water births has increased dramatically as people have become aware of this unique option for delivery. They have been widely accepted in European countries and have been quickly gaining in popularity in the U.S.

Warm, soothing water helps a laboring woman’s muscles relax, free from gravity – which often speeds labor. When a woman is more relaxed and comfortable, the uterus functions optimally reducing stress to both mother and baby. Many studies have shown that most women report the wonderful pain relieving properties of water.

Says Diane Bindl, RN, Birth Center Director, “Water births are a gentle way for babies to enter the world, going from water to water, then mother’s arms, the baby emerges into water and has the freedom of movement within familiar fluid surroundings. Baby’s limbs unfold with greater ease during those first moments of leaving mother’s body. The water offers a familiar comfort after the stress of birth reassuring the child and allowing her bodily systems time to organize. Baby takes her first breath when her skin contacts the air."

RAMC’s Birth Center has a beautiful new water birth tub, which is housed in one of the birthing suites. Some mothers may use it for labor and birth while others may use it for labor only.

Women desiring a water birth are asked to discuss their wishes with their personal physician. All women are screened prior to consideration for water births in order to meet safety requirements, and required to attend preparation classes.

For more information or to schedule a personal tour of the Birth Center and birthing tub, please call the Birth Center at 524-6487, ext. 1301.