The Benefits of Water Labor for Delivery
Sutter Women's Services

Sutter Davis Hospital is the only hospital in the greater Sacramento area to offer the option of water births. You may choose to labor in the tub and deliver in there as well. Be sure to discuss this option with your healthcare provider prior to your delivery if you are interested in water labor and/or delivery.

Check out Jenny's Story about her waterbirth!

What are the benefits of water for labor/delivery? It can relieve pain by making the uterus buoyant (floating) which eases some of the pressure of labor. Also, the warmth and motion of the water along your nerve fibers is thought to block some of the transmission of pain. Additionally, warm water helps the skin around the birth canal to stretch better during delivery.

Monitoring your contractions and your baby's heart rate can easily be accomplished in the tub through our telemetry monitoring system. The telemetry monitor is a portable box that connects to the monitor leads around your body. The portable box transmits the heart rate and contraction readings to the fetal monitor in your labor room. You can walk, shower, and get in the tub while being monitored.

Be sure to read "Jenny's Story" about her water birth experience. Back to top.