| Wondering About Water Birth |
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Giving birth in a pool of warm water is nothing like lying on your back in a hospital bed with people holding your legs and telling you when it's time to push. If you have you ever known a woman who has given birth in the water, you've probably heard how fabulous it was and that it was very different from her other births.
If parents haven't talked with any water birth families, they may be wondering, "Why would any woman want to have a baby that way?" The following questions are commonly asked by parents who would like to know more about water birth – a safe, gentle way to welcome their baby into the world. I've heard of women having their baby in the water. How does this work? Doesn't the baby inhale the water?
During a water birth, the mother is laboring in a pool of water and then pushes her baby out into the water. This pool may be a large bathtub or a temporary pool used for the birth. The midwife catches the baby and gently guides him to the mother's arms.
The emerging baby has been living in water called amniotic fluid. During the birth, the baby moves from the amniotic fluid to the water of the birth pool. Once the baby is born, he is not underwater for very long – it's a matter of seconds. Throughout this time, the baby is still receiving oxygen from his mother through the umbilical cord.
Several aspects of the newborn's physiology protect him from breathing underwater. It is not until he comes out of the water, making contact with the air, that his lungs will begin to function and he will take his first breath.
Why do women want to give birth in the water?
Perhaps it is the fact that we spend our first nine months in water that makes water such a soothing element for us. When we feel tense, stressed or have aches and pains, we turn to water. We take a hot shower, soak in the tub or head to a body of water. For women who enjoy soaking in the tub after a long day, laboring in the water provides fabulous natural pain relief.
During labor and childbirth, the benefits of water are even more noticeable. Women feel the weight of the pregnant belly supported by the water. Many positions that are conducive to birth are easier to do in water. The water's warmth does wonders to reduce the sensation of contractions, while softening the perineal tissue, leading to reduced tearing during birth. The use of water even helps some women to catch their own babies. Water birth is considered to be the gentlest way to give birth, for both the mother and the baby. The baby transitions from a compact position within his mother's womb, to expanding his limbs for the first time in the water of the birth pool. It is not until he comes to the surface that he feels the full weight of his body.
Is waterbirth safe?
During labor and pushing in the water, the baby can be monitored without the mother having to get out of the tub. Care providers who offer water birth carry handheld waterproof Dopplers (monitors) to listen to the baby.
The temperature of the water should be more like a warm bath than a hot tub. If the water is too warm, the mother may become overheated, causing the baby's heart rate to rise. Studies have shown that water birth is safe. Thousands and thousands of babies have been born in the water. Overall, water birth decreases the rate of intervention.
How can I have a water birth?
If you are planning a homebirth, look for a midwife who is comfortable with water birth. Talking with other mothers or calling local midwives will help you to determine who provides this service.
Are you searching for hospital-based water birth certified hospitals/providers? If so, call Waterbirth International's Information Line at 1-800-641-2229.
Do I need to have a special tub or equipment for a water birth at home?
It is possible to use your regular bathtub for labor and birth. It is not as comfortable as a birth pool, because in a bathtub, the water won't cover the abdomen and positions are limited by the size and shape of the tub. Also, the husband or birth partner isn't going to fit in the bathtub with the mother. If it's possible to use a birth pool, that will be the best option. It doesn't need to be a fancy, just deep and spacious.
Some homebirth midwives rent portable tubs or include the tub as part of their fee. The portable tub comes with a liner, a pump and a thermometer. The hoses are used to fill the tub and then to drain it, so they are not reused. Another less expensive option is to purchase an inflatable kiddie pool. It should be 24 inches high, in order to cover the mother's belly and low to mid back. The soft walls provide nice support and the pools are big enough for two people. Parents will need to find a hose-to-sink adaptor at the hardware store in order to fill the pool with warm water.
What about laboring in the water?
Laboring in the water is far more accessible to mothers than a complete water birth, as most hospitals have not prepared the rooms or trained their staff for water birth. Many hospitals provide large bathtubs in the labor and delivery rooms for laboring in water. Sometimes only a shower is available, which is also a great tool.
The most important thing to know when planning to use water for pain relief during labor: If you agree to an induction, you will need to be on the monitor continuously. Therefore, with an induction, you lose the option of laboring in the water. If my water breaks, can I still labor in the tub?
When the amniotic sac ruptures, or the water breaks, a woman can labor in the water. Studies show that the risk of infection does not increase from laboring in the water, whether the amniotic sac breaks while the mother is in the tub, or whether it was already ruptured before she got in the water.
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