| Mom gently moans as her contraction flows over | | | | water; she holds him tight and lifts him from his |
| and through her body. Submerged up to her | | | | watery nest, the liquid slipping down as he moves |
| chest, her pregnant belly rises and falls every few | | | | up. He opens his eyes, looks around and gurgle-y |
| minutes. Tiny splashes can be heard as she | | | | murmurs his hello. |
| reaches for the side of the pool, tightening her | | | | Doesn't this sound so peaceful? Is this something |
| fingers as the surge crests in her uterus. Her | | | | you might be interested in? Finding the right care |
| husband, sitting behind her, listens as the midwife | | | | provider will give you the opportunity to have the |
| gives a quiet play-by-play. | | | | birth of your dreams. It is a rare hospital that |
| "I can see the head," she whispers. | | | | allows births in the water. Even if they have tubs |
| "Here, bring him here. Exactly like that. Little | | | | for laboring, it would be unusual to have a |
| pushes are great. Just like that." | | | | submerged birth. Birth centers, on the other hand, |
| The soon-to-be mother presses her chin to her | | | | are much more conducive to having a baby in the |
| chest, giving downward pressure onto the baby's | | | | tub; most of them have large bathtubs or birth |
| head. The midwife can see tufts of the child's hair | | | | pools to utilize during labor and as the baby is |
| flowing through the moving water. The birth is so | | | | born. If you are able to find a birth center in your |
| close. | | | | area, do ask about this feature. |
| "That's wonderful. A little bit more... exactly like | | | | If you are having a homebirth, waterbirths are |
| that." | | | | almost a certainty to be offered or allowed. Many |
| The woman has beads of sweat on her upper lip | | | | midwives even rent the pools that women use |
| and forehead, but she shows no sign of giving up; | | | | for their births, some of which are 4x6'! Other |
| she is determine to push this baby through her | | | | midwives have their clients get (what are called) |
| body and out into the world. His head slides out | | | | "fishy" pools... kiddie pools you can buy anywhere |
| slowly, eyes tightly closed, cheeks full and lips in | | | | kids' summer pools are sold. If you are pregnant, |
| the shape of a kiss. Mom reaches down as the | | | | be sure to ask your provider about the possibility |
| midwife reminds her she is going to be the one to | | | | of designing a birth just like the birth above... |
| "catch" the baby. As the infant slides slowly out, | | | | gentle, peaceful and filled with drops of love; the |
| his arms pop through and mom reaches under his | | | | epitome of a waterbirth. |
| arms and feels the rest of the body slip into the | | | | |