Women birthing at Northern Health’s Epping campus now have access to water immersion during labour, marking an exciting milestone within Northern Health’s maternity services.
The introduction of water immersion provides eligible women with another evidence-based option for managing labour pain, supporting a more personalised approach to maternity care while promoting comfort, choice and positive birth experiences.
Warm water immersion is widely recognised as an effective non-pharmacological pain management option during labour. Immersion in warm water can help women relax, reduce the perception of pain, improve mobility and encourage a greater sense of control throughout labour.
Research has also demonstrated that women who use water immersion during labour often report higher levels of satisfaction with their birth experience and, in many cases, require fewer pharmacological pain relief interventions, including epidural analgesia. The buoyancy of the water also supports freedom of movement, while creating a calm and supportive birthing environment.
Midwife Unit Manager Simone Jervies said the introduction of water immersion represents an important step forward for maternity care at Northern Health.
“There are moments in healthcare that remind us why we continue to grow, learn and strive to improve the care we provide to women and their families. The introduction of water immersion for pain relief during labour is one of those moments. This is more than another pain relief option, it reflects who we are as a team. It demonstrates our commitment to innovation, evidence-based practice and providing women with greater choice throughout their labour journey,” said Simone.
Nour became the first woman to access water immersion during labour at Northern Health, supported by her partner, Abdi, and Midwife Annie Tolmay. Their experience marks the beginning of a new chapter in maternity care at Northern Health, providing more women with access to additional labour support options tailored to their individual preferences and clinical needs.
The introduction of water immersion is the result of more than three years of planning, collaboration and dedication. Midwife Annie Tolmay has been instrumental in leading the project, working alongside Midwife Erica Spessot to guide the initiative from concept through to implementation. Throughout the project, Annie and Erica supported staff education, simulation training and operational planning to ensure the service could be introduced safely and confidently for eligible women.
The introduction of water immersion reflects Northern Health’s commitment to continually improving maternity services by offering women greater choice throughout pregnancy, labour and birth. The service is available for women who meet clinical eligibility criteria and is delivered by trained midwives following established safety protocols and evidence-based guidelines.
“I am incredibly proud that our Birth Suite can now offer water immersion as another option for women during labour. Every improvement we make is driven by a simple purpose: to provide safe, compassionate, woman-centred care and create positive birth experiences for the families who choose to birth with us. This is an exciting milestone for our service, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have for the women and families in our community,” said Simone.
As Northern Health continues to grow and evolve its maternity services, initiatives such as water immersion demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to delivering contemporary, woman-centred care that is responsive to the needs of the community.
Expanding access to evidence-based maternity options ensures women and their families can access safe, high-quality care while experiencing greater comfort, autonomy and confidence throughout their birthing journey.