Hospital Water Birth Options in Fort Worth

UPDATED: 5/16/18

Thinking about having a natural birth? If so, you've probably heard of water birth- the practice of laboring and/or delivering in a tub of warm water. 

Benefits of water birth include greater relaxation for the mother, increased buoyancy which reduces the feeling of pressure, especially on the lower back, and allows for greater movement and mobility, and decreases incidence of tearing and the need for episiotomy. It's also been suggested that babies have a less stressful transition from the womb as a result of water birth.  There's a reason it's called an "aquadural"!

READ MORE: How to Avoid Tearing During Labor

Birth Tub at Harris Fort Worth, Acclaim Nurse Midwives

In order to be a candidate for water birth, most providers will require the following:

1. Baby must be in a head down (not breech)
2. It must be a singleton pregnancy (no twins or multiples)
3. You must be term (37 weeks)
4. Your labor does not require continuous monitoring

If you live near Fort Worth, you are lucky enough to have two fabulous options for hospital water birth- Acclaim Nurse Midwives at Harris Fort Worth and Grace OB/GYN & Midwifery at Harris Cleburne.

The Acclaim Nurse Midwives have 1 large birth tub and a few smaller, standard size tubs available for patient use.  It is a first-come, first-served policy there so there is a chance that the room could be unavailable during your labor.  If that's the case, you would have access to the smaller tubs and the use of the shower in your room.  You may also make back-up arrangements with a birth pool rental company.  

At this time, hydrotherapy (laboring in the water) is an option for women seeking a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) however you must get out of the water to deliver your baby.

Grace OBGYN, down in Cleburne, has a similar set up with 1 dedicated tub room equipped with a large birthing tub. If that room is in use, they have blow-up pools available for use in your room. And don't worry, they'll set everything up for ya. 

At this time, Grace Cleburne is the only practice offering hospital water birth options for women seeking a VBAC in and around Fort Worth.

Have questions?  Give us a call!  We'd be happy to talk to you about hospital water birth in Fort Worth and help you find the provider that's right for you.