Is a water birth worth the extra $$

horsevaulter · October 2012

Hi, I am a FTM I have posted on here a few times, just because my whole life I have always thought I would have a natural birth. A medicated birth never crossed my mind before I was PG. I am looking into a couple options. There is a birthing center in my area which I love and they will let you labor as long as you need and they offer full water births. They are all certified nurses who focused on midwifrey. My insurance doesn't cover them so it will cost me around $1000 to deliver there.

My other option it to go with a hospital.. None of the hospitals here let you have a water birth, they only let you labor in the tub. And there is no way to guarantee who my Dr will be. It is just whoever is on call.. However the hospital would only cost us $100-200.. My DH ofcourse wantes me to go this rout and not spend the extra $$.

A water birth seems important to me, but since this is my first, I dont know how much an actual water birth actually helps pain and tearing. Right now the extra $800 seems worth it to me for my comfort level (I hate a lot of people being around me or messing with my body - past sexual abuse possibly to blame..) But what would you all do? Those of you who had a water birth was it absolutely worth it and helpful? TIA

qtssima · October 2012

My sister had two home waterbirths and loved them, esp for managing discomfort during labor. With one of her kids, she actually got out of the tub for the birth itself, the other one she stayed in. So keep in mind that while you might like the idea, once you begin laboring you may decide to get out of the tub.

That being said, I think your chances of having the total birth experience you want (regardless of the water tub) are much better at a birthing center vs. the hospital. That alone makes it worth the additional cost in my book! Birthing naturally at the hospital is definitely possible, but requires a co-operative provider and working around some hospital policies like fetal monitoring, iv's, etc.

Have you toured both the birthing center and the hospital you think you would choose? If not, that is your opportunity to ask questions about required procedures - I think that might help you decide.

StefandTodd · October 2012

I haven't had my water birth yet (hoping to with #2), but since our out of pocket expense is a difference of about $5000...I think you can imagine I think it's definitely worth $800. $800 is what we spent on our doula for our first birth. Definitely think it's worth that for the option to water birth, personally.

Squirrel29 · October 2012

I've had a regular (medicated with narcotics) vaginal birth and an all natural water birth and I would definately pay the extra money to go to the birth center in your circumstances. My water birth was an amazing, beautiful experience and I cannot imagine giving birth drug free out of the water.

katsue0xo · October 2012

Yes!!! It is so worth it!! And it's not just the waterbirth you would be paying for- your birth center experience all the way around will be so wonderful!! From pre-natal to post partum- it is such a different world!! I opted out of a birth center birth for a difference of $700 bucks- and I regret that decision. You will be running defense on everything in the hospital- there are policies, nurses, lots of hoops to jump through. With a midwife, she is with you the entire labor- coaching as much as you need. Gentle, intimate, very low stress. My birth center/ homebirths have been such great experiences!! And the water- PRAISE ALL THAT IS GOOD FOR WATER BIRTHS!! Having done natural with and without a tub, I can tell you that water is a HUGE help! If you are educated and comfortable at a birth center- DO IT!!!

annabelle.27 · October 2012

I would say yes. I had a waterbirth and didn't tear at all, although that could be coincidence. Being buoyant was a huge help in changing positions slightly, taking pressure off my joints when I was kneeling, etc. After the birth, stretching my sore legs and muscles out in the warm water was great.

You didn't ask this, but imho going with a midwifery practice instead of an OB practice, especially one where you won't know who attends you in labour, would also be worth the money.

wifeofadam · October 2012

Yes. Totally worth it.

pixieprincss · October 2012

Yes, yes, yes! With DS2 we were planning a water birth and I ended up having to get out 3 pushes before delivery for an extinauting circumstance, but utilizing the water up until that point was so great in terms of pain relief, staying relaxed, and expending less energy. I also think it helped my baby turn from OP to OA at the last minute (yay). Even if you aren't 100% sold on the water birth, a supportive birth enviornment with caregivers you know and who are NB-friendly is worth every extra penny (AKA couple thousand dollars).

wren444 · October 2012

YES, DEFINITELY! And $800 is a lot to me. It's not just the tub but the birth center sounds like a much better match given your desire for space. I tried to birth in a tub but had to get out because baby wasn't getting under my pubic bone...still the relief while in the water for hour or two was significant and it affords some privacy to be submerged.

thetwistedwillow · October 2012

Natural birth in a hospital is doable but a lot harder to fight for than just going to a birth center. When you buy a major appliance or a new car people don't hesitate to purchase the extended warranty for a few hundred extra dollars - this is your BIRTH. It's one day you can't take back and do-over or return.

Yes it is worth it and for more reasons than the tub. Good luck in whatever you choose to do!

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