Water gives us a sense of rejuvenation, reduces stress and relieves pain. Delivery of your child in the water is said to have similar benefits. In some parts of the world, water birth can be traced back to ancient times, but it’s not very popular. Before you choose –not, of course, without consulting your physician–let us look at all the relevant information about water birth delivery.
What is a Water Birth?
Water birth means your baby’s birth in a warm water tub. Many women prefer to labor in water, but they don’t give birth in water. Many women labor and give birth in water.
The soothing and stimulating impact of water helps women in labor. The soothing feeling encourages the wellbeing of mothers and allows the advancement of labor through contractions.
Preparation of a Water Birth Delivery
You must first consult your doctor if you are thinking of using a birth pool in labor and delivering the baby in the water. Also search for appropriate facilities with the maternity hospital, such as a water bath, the skilled staff needed to provide support to women in bathtub or bathtub delivery.
You also need to know yourself about the procedure for a water birth. Talk to women through this process who have delivered. Here are some questions you can ask your doctor to make sure your hospital is the best water birthing place for you:
- How many women are choosing to give water birth?
- How many women use a birth pool during labor?
- Is the hospital staff trained in water delivery procedures?
- Is the birth pool available when you want it?
Risks of Baby Birth in Water
Here are some of the risks that may arise during the birth of a baby in water:
- During water birth, the theoretical threat of water embolism is a concern.
- It occurs when the water enters the bloodstream of the mother
- If the baby experiences pressure during delivery or if the umbilical cord is twisted, the baby can inhale water.
- The mother or the child may have an infection.
- The umbilical cord could break before the child comes out of the water.
- The temperature of a child born in water can be very high or very low.
- The child may have seizures or gasp for breathing.
- Some doctors believe that the perineum could tear during the water birth.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Delivering a Baby in Water
The birth of a baby in water has its own share of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s look at the advantages for mothers and babies as well as the dangers of water birth delivery.
Advantages For Mother
- Less risk of tearing–The chances of a perineum tear being less in a water birth because the water softens the tissues, allowing them to stretch around the baby’s head easily while being delivered
- Better use of gravity–the chances of giving birth in a straight position are greater when using a birth pool. Water buoyancy and uprightness may lead to faster and easier delivery because you have the advantage of gravitational work.
Advantages For Baby
You may wonder why you have a water birth? It facilitates the transition of the baby from the womb to the world outside. This is due to the resemblance of a pool/tub to the womb environment
Disadvantages Of Delivering in Water
There are also risks associated with water birth. These include the following:
- Baby starts to breathe underwater – If the baby is held in the water for a longer period of time, there is a risk that the baby will begin to breathe in the water and inhale water.
- The risk of tearing may be greater – although this claim may be contradictory to the above-stated benefit some doctors believe that the perineum may tear when birth occurs in water.
- Snapped umbilical cord – Complications of water birth involve snapping the umbilical cord before the baby is taken out of the water.
Myths about Water Birth
While water birth is gaining popularity, baby delivery in the water bath or birth pool has many misconceptions. Some myths about water birth are:
- Infections – People believe that water-borne stool can cause infection. In such cases, however, the recorded infection rates are much lower
- Age limit – If you are healthy and your child is fine, age is not a criterion
- Drowning of the baby – transition from the womb into water that has a similar environment. It makes the baby cope better as the umbilical cord breathes. It ensures that the infant does not drown or inhale water
- At water birth, all water temperatures are the same – water temperatures above 98 degrees need to be prevented. You should, however, choose a temperature that is cooler than 98 degrees
- Water birth is more painful than birth on a bed – water induces more relief in the perineum and reduces pain in mothers.
The above points answer common questions such as water birth is better or water birth is less painful, but remember that every pregnancy is different. Consult your doctor to determine what’s right for you and your baby.
