Doctor groups say: Water births, bad! Mums say: Bring me the tub!

Obstetrician group’s advisory against water births sparks backlash.

Belinda Haschke-Green didn't plan to give birth in the water. She thought she would use the tub at a birth centre in O’Fallon, Montana, whenever she needed comfort during her labour. After about 13 hours of contractions, she couldn’t handle the pain. She wanted to give up on her natural birth plan, head to the hospital and get drugs. But the midwife told her the baby was coming too quickly for that.