Water births are a great option for midwifery led singleton uncomplicated pregnancies. It is never too late to have one. Speak to your midwife and she can help you arrange one.

The advantages are more evidenced based than disadvantages.

The advantages are:

• Effective pain relief
• Maternal perception of feeling in more control of their labour
• Increases mobilisation in labour
• You’re less likely to need pharmaceutical forms of pain relief.

The disadvantages are difficult to answer as there’s not enough data. However, we do know there is a rare chance of infection and short term respiratory neonatal problems.