“But won’t the baby breathe underwater?” It’s one of the most common questions about waterbirth. The answer lies in the incredible way a newborn transitions from receiving oxygen through the placenta to taking that very first breath.

What if labor went from the first real contraction to baby in your arms in less than three hours? Known as precipitous birth, rapid labor can be intense, surprising, and much faster than expected. Here’s what every expecting parent should know.

You don’t have to give birth underwater to benefit from a birth pool. Laboring in water and having a waterbirth are two different things—and knowing the difference gives you more options for comfort, movement, and your birth experience.