A recent article has been written in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology that suggests increased doses of oxytocin be avoided at intervals less than 30 minutes apart.  It is suggested that as oxytocin use is decreased among women in labor, emergency cesareans significantly decrease as well. 

Two Chicago hospitals have followed oxytocin use in births over the last three years.  When the use of oxytocin was reduced from 93% to 79%, emergency c-sections reduced from 11% to 6%.  Furthermore, there was a reduced use of vacuum and forceps use as well as fewer incidents of fetal distress. 

These hospitals were using 2 by 2 units of oxytocin every twenty minutes.  By reducing this to 1 by 1 unit every thirty minutes, there was a significant reduction in both fetal distress and emergency cesareans. 

The bottom line for you as an expectant mom?  Talk to your ob/gyn about the possible use of oxytocin during your baby’s delivery.  Make a plan with him or her regarding the dosage and time intervals of oxytocin if you are at risk for needing this medication during delivery.  After all, this conversation might keep you from a cesarean section – and that is just better all the way around!

A water birth involves a mother giving birth in a warm pool or bath. (Never birth your baby in a hot tub or a hot bath – the heat will damage your baby.) Russian researcher Igor Tjarkovsky began studying the benefits of water birth to women in the 1960′s. More studies were done in France near that time. By the 1990′s, the water birth technique had spread to Western countries and was soon recognized as a general birthing practice in many hospitals.

Since many hospitals do not have the equipment needed for comfortable water births, they are now a common practice among women who home birth. Many women who have delivered with a water birth agree that they would not want to deliver any other way. If you are interested in a water birth, contact your OB/GYN and/or Midwife about how you can safely undergo a water birth.

Water Birth Benefits for Mother and Baby

• Relaxing water reduces adrenaline secretion

  in mother by reducing her pain and fear.

• Perineum elasticity increases due to

  exposure to warm water.

• The buoyancy of the mother increases,

  changing her hormonal level and increasing her oxytocin.  This makes

  her labor more productive.

• There is room in a water birth tub for the

  birthing partner, who can provide greater comfort and massage during labor.

• The buoyancy of the water reduces additional pain from the gravity of

  the baby moving down the birth canal.

• There is better blood circulation in Mom during a water birth,

  decreasing her pain level.

Baby

• The water reduces loud noises and bright

  lights that a baby is often exposed to during delivery.

• Warm water calms the baby and helps the

  baby transition from a warm body to the environment outside of Mom.

• If birthed at home,

  the baby is not exposed to bacteria and viruses often found in hospitals.

• The baby does not experience such a shock going from a warm mother to a

  cold environment.