Water birth
Water births are becoming more and more popular among moms-to-be.
A birthing pool full of warm water offers a soothing environment and natural pain relief, as well as a comfortable water world for your baby to be born into.
Hospitals are becoming more open to the concept of water births, and if you choose to give birth in a birthing center staffed by nurse-midwives, you’re likely to have access to a pool. If you’re planning a home birth, there are lots of pool hire companies that can deliver a pool to your home.
Getting into a bath after a long day can clear your mind and relax your body, and water births work in much the same way:
Pain relief
Water can’t take the pain away but it can help you to feel more relaxed, reducing your heart rate and easing feelings of stress and tension, and leaving you better able to cope with contractions. Some studies show that water stimulates your body to release endorphins, its own natural painkillers.
Mobility
Water can support the weight of more awkward labor positions such as squatting, or all-fours, which may be difficult to sustain on dry land. It supports your weight, making it easier for you to move around and switch between positions. Water can also carry the weight of your body, making it easier to move around.
Natural birth
Water can help to speed up your labor by stimulating the production of oxytocin, which promotes more effective contractions, although it’s important not to immerse yourself in the pool too early on in your labor – hold off until you’re three-four centimeters dilated or there’s a risk contractions may slow down.
Your ability to stay relaxed and change positions makes it less likely that you’ll need strong pain relief drugs. Plus, it softens your perineum, making a tear or episiotomy less likely.?
Space
A birthing pool is a quiet and intimate space, which provided more sense of privacy than a standard hospital delivery room, and some pools are big enough for your partner to get in with you.
Having your baby in the pool
Healthy newborn babies are born with a ‘dive-reflex’, which stops them from taking breaths for a few seconds after the birth. They’re still getting oxygen from your placenta via the umbilical cord and will take their first breath when raised to the surface of the water.
Are there any disadvantages?
Availability of a birthing pool may be a problem if your hospital doesn’t have one – if you don’t want a home birth, ask if you can bring a hired pool to the hospital with you or consider having your baby at a birthing center with a pool.
There are certain medical conditions where a water birth isn’t suitable. If you’re carrying twins or your baby is breech, it’s not advised. If you have had an epidural or narcotic you won’t be able to use the birthing pool; plus, you can’t use a TENS machine in the water. You can use nitrous oxide. You also have to be at least 37 weeks pregnant, because premature babies are still too undeveloped to be born in water.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 07/05/2007
Related Chat 11
I gave birth 13 weeks ago to my third child and my first water birth. It was fab! So calm, relaxing and i actually felt not too dirty when i came out amazingly! I didn't have a home water birth as my partner couldn't cope with the birth at home but we used a midwife led unit. This was part of the hospital and there are more and more of these opening all the time. I did have to go to a slightly different area because the one where i am doesn't open until Jan next year i think but you should ask your midwife as she should be able to recommend something for you. The only thing is it just seems to be pot luck whether the pools are busy or not when you go in to labour. Your midwife should still be able to give advice on hiring a birthing pool or the labour suite at the hospital. I would definately recommend it as not only was it a good entry to the world for my water beby but it was an excellent help with the pain too.
im 5 month pregnant at the mo and would love to have a water birth, with my first i was 2 weeks overdue so was induced so basicly refined to a bed for 10 hours to be monitored which i hated, and also had the pethadine which made me vomit all the way through it and then had an epidural which didnt work firt time so had to have another, after the birth i found it hard to manouver so midwifes had to change baby and things so all in all it wasnt a nice experience, thats why im hoping for a water birth this time as i want to stay away from the drugs and have heard nothing but good comments about water birth, im just hoping eveything goes to plan and i can use the pool in the hospital as my partner doesnt like the idea of giving birth at home.i dont really understand how the booking system goes?? do you book it for your due date??? if anyone has had water birth please post your experiences it would be appriceated
Ask your midwife, but you can hire them from birth pool in a box. I gave birth in a pool 5 weeks ago after getting some great tips from mums on here. I can not recommed it enough.
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