Aqua Baby

By Nicole Lundrigan
Issue 103, November/December 2000

When I was 15 years old, my sister gave birth to her daughter in a hospital following a 25-hour labor confined to a bed with an IV and an ever-beeping machine. In my mind, I was a terrific labor coach--kneading her lower back, offering her ice chips, and simply being a reassuring and very excited presence during those very long hours. My sister made it clear to the on-duty nurse that I was to accompany her into the delivery room. But after painkillers were administered, my sister got very fuzzy and was no longer able to insist on her wishes. Rudely, the nurse instructed me to step outside--I wasn't needed. My niece was born a little while later, as I was sitting on a wooden chair out in the bright yellow hallway.

Ten years later I discovered that I was pregnant. One morning, after waking to light spotting, I went to my campus clinic for a blood test to ensure that I was not having a miscarriage. A few days later I got a call from a nurse, who informed me in a hushed tone that yes, indeed, I was pregnant. No, "Congratulations." Only, "When can you come in to discuss your options?"

These were my two experiences with medicalized pregnancy and birth. Naturally, I decided to look elsewhere for my prenatal care.

Following the wonderful advice of a friend, I went to visit a midwife. Her office walls were covered with a multitude of photos of babies she'd helped to deliver. I knew I had made the right choice. The visit was relaxed, the midwife showed genuine excitement for my news, and each of my long list of questions was given careful consideration. When I left that day, I was filled with thoughts of natural childbirth, potentially at home.

My plans were met with a great deal of skepticism from others. Words such as irresponsible, ignorant, and downright crazy were not spared. Can you have an epidural at home? You will not be able to handle the pain. What about an episiotomy? You'll surely need one of those to get the baby out. People commented that I should let the doctors handle it--they know how to deliver a baby. What could a 25 year old possibly know about that?

I had to look beyond my generation, beyond my mother's generation, and into my grandmother's generation for support. Lacking the multitude of books on pregnancy, labor, and childbirth, these women had an unwavering confidence in their own capabilities. Time restraints on the second stage of labor were not imposed on them. They were knowledgeable in labor and delivery (enough to know what was safe and when complications were arising), confident in their bodies, and able to trust their maternal instincts. They did not have to refer to a chart. Labor and delivery, even breastfeeding, weren't hidden away from children or young adults. The process was natural.

Today, it seems that a tradition of womanhood that properly belonged to women themselves has been replaced by a tradition of technology.

I confided to my grandmother that I was planning a water birth. For me, it was the logical choice to include water in the birth of my daughter. My medicine chest is practically empty; my bathtub is frequently full. For a headache I don't reach for a pain reliever, I reach for the faucets. When I'm fatigued and cannot sleep, I add a little lavender oil to the tub.

My grandmother felt that birthing in water would be very relaxing. She was confident that I could handle the pain, and ensured me that the discomfort was normal, healthy, and very exciting. She told me of her labor, and the fact that she had made raisin bread to calm herself. The standing helped her labor along, and the task at hand kept her mind off the contractions. While the bread was baking, her son was born. That seemed like a far cry from the hospital experience I had witnessed.

Now that I knew that birth did not have to be an institutional "procedure" I began to read everything that I could on natural childbirth, homebirth, and water birth. I concluded that a delivery without intervention is definitely safer--and that's more likely to happen at home.

I also learned that some doctors prefer to induce pregnant women, which can lead to complications during delivery. When a labor is not going according to a statistically defined schedule, a cesarean section may follow. When an epidural is administered, not only may the baby be affected, but labor can be prolonged, blood pressure can drop, chances of a cesarean increase, and forceps or suction are often needed. The use of water reduces pain, providing a safe alternative to an epidural, and the benefits for both mother and baby are numerous.

I became very determined that the birth of my child was going to be a gentle affair, not a hospital sideshow. It would be an exchange of love between my husband, our unborn baby, and myself. In the end, it was exactly that.