Water birth a natural option

Nicola Duffy could not imagine giving birth to the most recent addition to her family, Angelina, by any way other than water birth.

Picture by David Bailey: Nicola Duffy holds four-week-old Angelina, the first baby born in Bunbury Hospital’s water birthing suite.

Angelina was the first baby born at Bunbury Hospital’s water birthing suite, which opened in August last year to give South West mums-to-be an alternative birthing choice.

Ms Duffy chose a hospital water birth after having her second child using the method at home, however changes to home birth legislation meant a home water birth was not an option this time around.

She said that after giving birth to her first child at hospital with a lot of unwanted intervention she made the switch to a water birth.

‘‘There’s no need for pain relief, it’s a much more comfortable experience,’’ she said.

‘‘I’d absolutely recommend it for women looking for a natural childbirth.’’

Bunbury Hospital’s nurse unit manager for maternity and paediatrics, Kate Reynolds, said she was thrilled to have the first child born at the water birthing suite.

Ms Reynolds said women chose water birth because it provided natural pain relief, a more comfortable and relaxing environment and because water made it easier for mothers to change position during labour.

She said water birth was not for all mothers and required a low risk pregnancy with no complications as well as the support of the mother’s doctor.