Knowing the Essential Tips and Recommendations for a Water Birth
Water birth is the process of giving birth in a tub of warm water. A baby is usually brought quickly to the surface, head first during this process. Birth is a moral responsibility as it is the ultimate gift of nature.
The childbirth celebration can influence human nature as well as current and future associations. Water birthing in hospitals has two principles:
- Gentle Birth
- Natural Childbirth
Water birth delivery is specially designed in birthing pools and has two sections:
- Underwater childbirth
- Water immersion in labour
Why water birth?
Water immersion in labour is associated with deep relaxation, easy movements and pain relief and creating awareness in controlling the birth procedure without any adverse effect on labour duration, surgical delivery rates and the well-being of newborn babies.
How does a mother get benefits?
- Helps relieve labour and delivery pain
The warm water in the birthing tub causes relaxation, which increases blood supply to the uterine muscles and also endorphin release.
2. Reduces labour duration
The first stage of labour may be shortened by water birth, which reduces labour duration by almost two hours.
3. Controls uterine contractions
Because of the buoyancy of the water, many labouring women find it easier to move around and change positions, facilitating a more comfortable.
4. Reduces blood pressure
Another benefit of water birth is that buoyancy promotes higher blood flow, which results in better uterine muscle oxygenation.
5. Reduces anxiety and the severity of stress hormones
Compared to other delivery options, water birth delivery is an additional advantage that helps lower stress and anxiety.
How does a baby get benefits?
- It reduces injury at birth.
- It provides proper blood flow in the mother to get more blood to the baby.
- It reduces issues while breastfeeding after childbirth.
- Water birthing in hospitals heightens the child’s sense of security.
- It ensures the child has a comfortable entry into the world.
How does the baby breathe during a waterbirth?
When a baby is born, he/she feels the temperature change and starts taking the first breath. In a traditional birth, this temperature change is felt immediately after birth. In a water birth, the temperature change is felt after the baby is pulled out of the water.
Your healthcare provider will frequently check the water temperature during your water birth. Keeping the water as close to body temperature as possible helps ensure a safe transition for the baby so they are not triggered to take a breath. Providers will ensure the water is 35–37 degrees.
Things to take into consideration
Water birth delivery has a variety of myths and beliefs. Busting the same myths is a safe practice, and babies born using this method are much healthier than those born using the traditional methods. Water birth is not an option if women have complications like vaginal bleeding or placenta previa. However, this technique is not practical when there are many births. Water birth is favourable only in low-risk pregnancy cases.
Even though this technique is a good option, it may not benefit all pregnancy cases. The water birth method is a costly and risky procedure, so most women do not prefer this method at the time of their pregnancy.
Medical guidance is necessary
Women who prefer water birth must have a healthy natural birth. Warm water reduces the probability of bleeding or vaginal tear by relaxing the pelvic floor and smoothing the perineum. Water birth is a natural way of giving birth; it is a painless method of giving birth and also lowers foetal distress. You should always seek the guidance of a doctor when you are giving birth to a child to take safety measures. Water birthing in hospitals is helpful as you have qualified and skilled professionals to help avoid medical issues in mothers and newborn babies.
Understanding the need and necessity you are required to go through the birth of a newborn baby, choosing the new technique of waterbirth to deliver a baby. To learn more about waterbirth, contact us at Aastrika Midwifery Centre at Vasavi Hospital. This is to overview the tips and recommendations for women to choose the waterbirth technique to deliver a baby.