Planning a waterbirth at home? Beyond the beautiful photos, there are a few practical things every family should know. From filling and heating your birth pool to cleanup, unexpected messes, partner support, and changing plans during labor, here are 10 things nobody tells you about preparing for a home waterbirth.

Can you use your bathtub for water labor, or is a birth pool better? Compare water depth, space, comfort, positioning and other important differences when preparing for a waterbirth.

Wondering how to position yourself in a birth pool? Explore seven waterbirth positions that allow you to move, rest and follow your body's instincts throughout labor.

“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.

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.