Birth Workers Supporting Water Birth

Supporting Clients Through Water Birth: Tips for Birth Workers

Water birth continues to grow in popularity among expectant parents who are seeking a calm, gentle, and empowering birthing experience. For midwives and doulas, it can be a deeply rewarding way to support clients, but it also comes with its own considerations and practicalities.

Whether you’re new to attending water births or you’ve supported many, here are some key tips to help you provide the best care possible.

1. Create a Calming Environment

The atmosphere of a water birth space matters just as much as the practical set-up. Encourage your clients to dim the lights, play soothing music, and add personal touches that help them feel grounded. A wooden or inflatable birth pool can become the centrepiece of this environment, offering comfort, warmth, and privacy.

2. Know the Equipment

Being confident with the pool and its accessories will make the birth smoother for everyone. Take time to familiarise yourself with:

The pool type (inflatable vs. self-heating wooden pools)

Liner use and hygiene

Heat elements or pumps

Thermometers and water temperature management

Having a checklist—and knowing where each item is located—allows you to stay present with your client instead of troubleshooting. Many pool hire companies (like us) provide full instructions and phone support, so you’ll never feel on your own.

3. Encourage Mobility and Comfort in the Pool

Water offers buoyancy, which can ease pressure on the body and allow the birthing person to move more freely. If the birthing person you are supporting is open to receiving guidance, consider encouraging your client to:

Use grips or the sides of the pool for support

Experiment with positions—kneeling, leaning forward, or using an internal seat

Rest comfortably between surges, supported by the water’s weightlessness

These small adjustments can make a big difference to comfort and progress.

4. Focus on Presence, Not the Water

One of the benefits of a self-heating pool is that you don’t have to worry about constantly topping up with kettles or monitoring temperature. Instead, your focus can remain where it belongs: on your client. Emotional presence, reassurance, and encouragement are invaluable, especially during moments of transition. Check out our self-heating wooden pools if this appeals to you!

5. Prepare for the Unexpected

Every birth is unique, and flexibility is key. Have a plan for:

Helping your client in and out of the pool safely

Transferring to land birth if needed

Managing pool hygiene (liners, debris nets, clean hoses, etc.)

Being prepared helps both you and your client feel secure and supported, whatever path the birth takes.

6. Reflect and Celebrate Together

After the birth, take a few moments with your client to acknowledge the experience. For many families, water birth is not only a practical choice but also an emotional and memorable one. Reflecting on the journey, celebrating their strength, and holding space for that transition deepens the sense of completion and connection.

The Takeaway

For midwives and doulas, supporting a client through water birth is a beautiful opportunity to combine your clinical skills with your nurturing presence. By preparing well, understanding the equipment, and centring your attention on your client’s experience, you can help create a safe, comfortable, and empowering birth.

And when the right tools are at hand—like a well-equipped birth pool kit—the process becomes even smoother, leaving more room for what truly matters: supporting the birthing person with care, confidence, and compassion.