Kourtney Kardashian 'Horrified' By Water Birth

Kourtney Kardashian was set on a natural water birth until a few days ago when she witnessed one first hand ... and now when her water breaks she's making a beeline for Cedars ... TMZ has learned.

Our Kardashian sources tell us ... Kourtney and baby daddy Scott Disick heard water birth is better for the baby because it's a less shocking transition from the womb. Water births are often done without administering drugs ... which some experts believe is also safer for baby and mom.

Kourtney has a friend who gave birth a few days ago and she allowed Kim's sis to witness the blessed event. So Kourtney was ringside when the mother screamed like a mutha as she reared back and pushed in a tub of water.

Kourtney told friends it was "horrific" ... "looked brutally painful" -- and that was all she wrote.

So KK has decided to give birth Beyonce/Jessica Simpson style -- in a mega-suite at a fancy hospital.

Kourtney, who is due any day, will deliver her baby epidural style at Cedars-Sinai. And speaking of deliveries, Jerry's Deli is right across the street.

Pastrami on rye ... hold the water.