Can Anyone Give Me Information On Water Births?
I am planning to have a water birth, but I am scared that if I do, then the baby might drown coming out of me. How effective is a water birth, and why do people use that method?? Does it help with the labor pain, and will the baby be fine afterwards?? Please any information would definitely be helpful with this, whether answering the questions, or just anything from personal experience to information in general.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at 11:05 pm and is filed under Birthing in Water. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
The baby will not drown. The baby isn’t going to take a breath until it hits the air, it’s the temperature change and the air hitting the baby which startles it into breathing. And, it’s still connected by the umbilical cord and getting oxygen through you for a few minutes.
It definitely helps with labor pain, and the birth itself is usually less painful because the warm water helps the perineal tissues stretch more easily. It’s generally a more gentle transition for the baby from the womb to life on the outside.
If you choose a water birth in a hospital, you should know that you may be asked to leave the tub for intermittent monitoring, or if there is fetal distress, or if you choose to have an epidural.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
I’ve looked into it as an option, Not sure yet if I can do this at the hospital I’m going to or not.
BUT, what I’ve read, and seen, is that it’s a smoother transition for mother and baby. It is suppose to help with labor pains a little. Baby cannot drown as it has the little mucous blocks still in place from being in the amniotic fluid.
If you are using a midwife, he or she should be able to give you plenty of information on the process. I think it sounds really good and I have ONLY heard good things about it. Good luck!!