Waterbirth doesn't have to mean buying everything you see online. Learn which birth pool supplies are essential, what's helpful and what you can skip when planning a waterbirth on a budget.

“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.

Is waterbirth dangerous? Will the baby breathe underwater? We've heard every waterbirth myth out there — and we're setting the record straight once and for all.

Is waterbirth safe? Does it hurt less? What do you actually need? We've answered every question we get asked about waterbirth — all in one place.