Water Birth in Hong Kong

I have known about water birth for a while yet I have been skeptical about it. Not that I would opt for a C-section, but to imagine not having epidural scares me, my monthly menstrual pain is already hard enough, how am I gonna deal with labor without epidural? That having said, a few weeks ago, my sister prompted me with a beautiful video of water birth, which got me thinking.

Accompanied with a conversation with a chiropractor, I am a bit converted. The conversation started out as I told him my friend is having a C-section in a few days, he then wondered if there was a survey asking if you had the choice, how would you like to be born, without hesitating I answered "Water birth, cause I'm a swimmer!" He then shared his sister's water birth experience (outside HK) and how she not only found it comfortable but that she also endorses the option. I do admit...I am a bit converted. My friend thought it would make a great blog post to talk about water birth in HK which I totally agree. I did a little research and here's what I have compiled:

Pros:

• The baby will come into the world in a more tranquil way. 
• It will reduce the risk of vaginal skin tearing for the mother, because the water softens and stretches the skin.
• Relieve the pain of childbirth.
• The water also refreshens the heated laboring body.
• Contrary to the common belief that it is not safe, water birth is actually very safe if conducted well, with a registered mid-wife.
• It is actually considerably cheaper than having labor in a hospital

Cons: 

• No epidural can be authorized by the mid-wife. 

Legality: It is illegal in Hong Kong to have home birth unless you have a registered mid-wife to do it for you. There are certain protocols to abide to during this progress which is understandably to prevent mainland women registering their offspring as born in Hong Kong.

I always knew that new born babies under the age of 3 months, naturally know how to swim because they are accustomed to the flow in the womb. I swore I would experiment and document that day. I guess water birth will be a natural prologue to the postnatal swimming chapter of my baby's story (gees...I don't even have a boyfriend and I'm already sounding so broody *flush*)