Water Birth

For centuries water has been used by women to make labour shorter, easier and more comfortable, to increase the mother's sense of privacy and to make the baby's entry into the world gentle and free from trauma.  A birth pool gives you a deep pool of warm water in which to kneel or squat or lie, and a comfortable edge to hold on to.  Water has been shown to reduce the need for pharmacological pain relief and the incidence of perineal trauma and obstetric interventions. 

In 2009 the WA Labour and Birth in Water clinical guidelines and consumer leaflet were released to support water birth as an option in public (not private) hospitals.  This is being rolled out progressively as Midwives are trained in looking after women labouring in water.  Currently the King Edward Memorial Hospital (Family Birth Centre and Labour Ward), Kaleeya and Armadale Hospital offer waterbirth. Always ask if this is what you would like, as the hospitals that provide this will be ever changing.

If you are planning a water birth you may need to organise your own birth pool and liner. At least two weeks before your due date you should also work out how to make the pool ready for use and what extras you might need to assist with safety and comfort.  Pools can be bought from Simply Birth for approximately $195, or they can be hired from CMWA.  You can book your birth hire pool package through the shop. You also need to download the Hire form and email to admin@cmwa.net.au:

Birthing Pool Hire Booking Form (40 KB)