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.
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Water Birth Benefits for Mother and Baby
Mother
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.
Disadvantages of Water Birth
If the baby is brought to the surface and then back below water, he or
she may aspirate. There is not a danger for this when the baby is
first birthed into the water, because the baby will not breathe until his or
her face is exposed to air.
Some fear the baby has a greater risk of infection through a water
birth, but studies have not been performed to confirm or deny this.
Some obstetricians fear the mother has a risk of water embolism, where
water enters the mother's blood stream.
If not birthed carefully, the umbilical cord could snap as the baby is
raised to the surface.
