MILWAUKEE — A group of midwives and obstetricians are conducting a water birth trial at Advocate Aurora Research Institute at Aurora Sinai Medical Center. Trial organizers said they hope to show that water birth is a satisfier for mothers when it comes to pain relief and labor support.

Aurora Sinai’s lead certified midwife, MaryAnne Scherer, said there are two arms of the trial: Land and water birth. 

"You can be in the tub for hydrotherapy, for labor and pain relief but then you would get out of the tub to birth your baby,” said Scherer. “Then if you’re selected for the water birth arm there’s an inflatable tub that you’ll give birth in.” 

She said being in the water helps with pain management.

“We call it a natural epidural, being submerged in water is a natural method of pain relief,” said Scherer.

She said the plan is to enroll 120 women. So far, there’s been a total of 65 mothers enrolled and 14 successful water births. 

“Once that’s done, our hope is that water birth will become a part of our standard practice here at Sinai and we’ll offer it to any low risk momma that would like to birth their baby in a tub,” said Scherer.

Beth Connors participated in the trial. She delivered her baby, Avery, three months ago by water birth.

“As soon as they mentioned that it could be a possibility I was hoping that my due date would fit within the timeframe of when they were going to release their availability for it,” said Connors.

To be a candidate for this trial, patients must have a low risk pregnancy and can’t have gestational diabetes. Connors said her birth with Avery was much different compared to her first child. 

“I think the first time was a different type of pain being on the bed, pushing on my back for many hours,” said Connors. “The way the water makes you feel and the pressure difference. It’s hard to explain but it took the edge off the pain.” 

If there’s another baby in her future, Connors said she plans on delivering again by water birth if it’s an option. 

Aurora Sinai Medical Center said this is the only randomized control study being done nation wide on water birth.