Water Births

I love every aspect about labor and delivery. Deliveries are by far the best experiences to witness. There are many ways to deliver a child. Vaginal delivery, Cesarean section, and water births are three ways to deliver. I chose water birthing as the topic for my first blog. This method is becoming more and more popular around the world. The purpose of my blog is to inform readers about what a water birth consists of, the benefits, and the situations that raise the risks for a water birth.

What Does a Water Birth Consist Of?

What is a water birth? A water birth is a natural birthing process. The mother spends the last stages of labor in a birthing pool or tub (“Waters role in birth,” n.d.). Her body is submerged or immersed in warm water. (“Water birth,” n.d.). The process can take place at a birthing center or in the comfort of the mother’s home. It is a safe experience for both the mother and the baby. How will the baby breathe? This is a general question that most mothers have. When a baby is born it will most likely have a lack of oxygen. Instead of breathing the baby tends to swallow. The infant lives nine months in amniotic fluid. The temperature of the water mirrors that of the amniotic fluid (“Water birth benefit and risks,” n.d.). Because of this, the infant doesn’t realize there has been any change in the environment once they are in the water.

What Are the Benefits and Circumstances Not Suitable for a Water Birth?

For a mother experiencing painful contractions, a water birth is more relaxing (Jones, n.d.).  The water helps relax the pelvic muscles of the body. Most mothers receive medications when contractions become unbearable. The warm water helps to alleviate the pain of the contractions. It also helps labor progress faster. Water helps the mother dilate rather than using Pitocin. The temperature also softens the cervix to better prepare the vagina for labor. The fathers benefit more from the experience because he can participate in the process (Eastman, n.d.). Water birthing doesn’t put so much stress on the baby. It also gives the baby more blood because the mother’s blood circulation is better in the water (Jones, n.d.). A water birth lessens the chances of tearing the perineum. If the perineum is torn the mother may have to get stitches or an epiosiotomy (“Water birth benefits and risks,” n.d.).

If you’re expecting a premature baby, a water birth may not be the safest method of delivery. The mother is usually required to have a monitored bed birth or cesarean section because it is safer. Sometimes meconium will show up in the water. It is important to have the midwife remove it from the water or the infants nostrils so it will not cause infection (“Water birth,” n.d.). Some sexually transmitted diseases transfer easier in water. If the mother has been exposed to a STD, then a cesarean section would be a better option. The disease would most likely spread to the infant (“Water birth,” n.d.). If the water in the pool or tub is too hot, the infant may suffer from dehydration or high blood pressure.

I am very satisfied with my research. I confirmed a lot of my knowledge and I also learned many new things. Water birthing is a joyous experience and I can’t wait to share my knowledge with others who are interested in it.

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