Water Birth : Benefits, Risks and Procedure

Your little one spends nine months floating in a fluid environment, so why not bring them into the world in a similarly gentle way?

Water birthing offers a safe, natural alternative where you can deliver your baby in a warm birthing tub. It’s just a wonderful experience because it’s less stressful for you and very gentle for the baby. Your baby makes its way from a water-filled womb to a similarly fluid environment.

Water Birth : Benefits, Risks and Procedure

What is water birth?

Water birth refers to the process of giving birth in a tub of warm water under the supervision of doctors or midwives. Within the last few years, it has received quite a good amount of appreciation. During a water birth, you will be in the water-usually in a stationary or inflatable tub-and you will deliver your baby in it.

Benefits of a water birthing

Benefits for Mother:

• Warm water has a calming, cozy, and relaxing effect.
• A mother’s body weight is reduced by buoyancy, enabling free movement.
• Increased blood flow and more effective uterine contractions are encouraged by buoyancy, which benefits the mother’s and the baby’s oxygenation of the uterine muscles and reduces discomfort.
• Immersion in water frequently reduces anxiety-induced hypertension.
• The mother’s body appears to be able to produce endorphins, which act as pain-inhibitors, because the water tends to lower stress-related chemicals.
• The perineum becomes more elastic and relaxed when submerged in water, which lessens the likelihood and severity of tearing and the need for an episiotomy and sutures.
• The laboring woman may focus better on the birthing process as her physical and mental relaxation increases.
• A setting that promotes a stronger feeling of privacy.

Benefits for Baby:

• It creates an environment that is similar to the amniotic sac.
• A more gentle birth for the baby.

You have to fulfill some health criteria in order to give birth under water:

• Full-term, low-risk pregnancy.
• Free of infection and other medical conditions.
• Pregnant with one baby (not twins).
• No history of high blood pressure.
• No history of bleeding disorders.
• No complications during pregnancy or labor.
• Must meet pre-pregnancy BMI criteria.

Water Birth : Benefits, Risks and Procedure

Risks of laboring in water

In uncomplicated term pregnancies in healthy women, complications seem to be few. One fear of some is that the baby will take a breath while still in the water; this is extremely unlikely as there are multiple mechanisms preventing this, including the drop in temperature that usually occurs when a baby takes their first breath. The water temperature is carefully monitored throughout labor to avoid this drop. Keeping the baby’s head completely submerged during delivery also delays the onset of the breathing reflex until the head is free of the water.

Conclusion

Every pregnancy is unique, and for every expectant mother, the moment of bringing a baby into the world is significant. It is for this reason that Ankura Hospital has established the birthing suites, enabling every expectant mother to have a comfortable and pleasant birthing experience. Get in touch with us and let us know how we can help you and your child on your special day! There are a number of alternative delivery methods available, and it’s important that you prepare ahead of time for the type of birth experience you’re looking for.