Water birth continues to grow in popularity even after nearly 20 years at VMH


Rich family welcomes third child with water birth at VMH ... Veterans Memorial Hospital began offering water births for delivery nearly 20 years ago and the popularity continues to grow as more low-risk mothers are looking for a natural birthing option. Lane Rich of Waukon decided to try water birth for her third child and states, “It was a wonderful birth experience! My labor was so much shorter and I didn’t need any pain medications at all. The pain was more tolerable and because I was so much more relaxed, I only had to push for five minutes. I was just amazed at that!” Submitted photo.

Water birthing tub at Veterans Memorial Hospital ... Dr. Barbee of the Gundersen Clinic recently received her certification for water birth deliveries and can now perform them, as well as Dr. Schwartz of the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic, who began the water birth program at the hospital nearly 20 years ago. Pictured with the water birthing tub is Jayne McCormick, RN, Maternity Services Supervisor, who chose to use the water birth tub herself for three of her own deliveries. Submitted photo.

Dr. Barbee of Gundersen Clinic Now Also Certified in Water Birth

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) began offering water births for delivery nearly 20 years ago and the popularity continues to grow. More low-risk mothers are looking for a natural birthing option in a controlled environment and finding water birth a successful option.  

Dr. Barbee of the Gundersen Clinic recently received her certification for water birth deliveries and can now perform them as well as Dr. Schwartz of the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic, who began the water birth program at the hospital nearly 20 years ago.

Water births are a gentle and natural form of delivery.  Women who use warm water for labor and birth report benefits such as enhanced pain relief, greater comfort, and a deeper sense of relaxation. Women are able to move more freely in water allowing greater opportunity for positioning and research has found that women report having an easier, shorter labor and delivery and a decreased need for pain medications.  

Lane Rich of Waukon recently chose to use the tub for the first time in delivering her third child at Veterans Memorial Hospital.  

“After our first birth experience being so great at Veterans Memorial Hospital, we knew we wanted all of our children to be born here,” states Lane. “With our third child I tried the water birth for pain relief with Dr. Schwartz. It was a wonderful birth experience! My labor was so much shorter and I didn’t need any pain medications at all. The pain was more tolerable and because I was so much more relaxed, I only had to push for five minutes. I was just amazed at that! Due to a shorter, easier labor my recovery was a lot quicker. I just can’t say enough good things about the water birth.”

Not always is the tub used for the actual delivery of the baby, but it has proved to be a very effective way for Moms to labor, offering great relaxation which leads to a faster progression of the labor. After enjoying the relaxation the tub provides, many moms decide to stay in the tub to deliver, while others choose to move to the delivery bed. Either way, the birthing tub has proven to be very beneficial in many deliveries at VMH for the following reasons:

• Ability to cope more easily with contractions
• Ability of buoyancy allowing for free movement and new positioning
• Reduced stress allowing the mother’s body to produce endorphins which serve as pain blockers
• Relaxation between contractions
• Smoother transition into life for baby, as well as many other advantages.  

“We are thankful that the hospital is right here in Waukon,” adds Lane. “I can’t imagine driving to La Crosse to deliver, especially with my other two children. Eric could just run home for things I had forgot to bring along. And I like the closeness of all the staff. I knew the people caring for me all throughout the hospital and even those I didn’t know quite as well remembered my other deliveries which added warmth to the atmosphere. Also, it was comforting to know the hospital offered many options for pain relief if I would have needed them, such as the nitrous oxide which I had used with my second child.  It’s just nice to know if you need them, they are there. If our family is blessed with another baby, I know I will choose water birth!”

Jayne McCormick, RN, the new Maternity Services Supervisor at Veterans Memorial Hospital used the birthing tub herself for three of her children’s deliveries. She states, “I loved the birthing tub and would encourage any laboring patient to at least give it a try. The warm water is so relaxing it greatly decreases the pain of the contractions and the warm water helps laboring moms relax helping them dilate faster.”

Expectant mothers are encouraged to discuss the option of water birth with their physician. Tours of the hospital’s Birthing Center are available by calling Jayne at Veterans Memorial Hospital, at 563-568-3411.