Water Birth

Main Menu

There was a time when a water birthing was hidden in the event that some misinformed do-gooder chose to report it due to concern for the safety of mother and baby. Many stories were circulated of deaths and trauma during water birthing. As those who experienced a positive water birth became less fearful of sharing, it became a common topic among pregnant women. Today, some hospitals and birthing centers throughout the world, including the United States, have special baths specifically designed for a woman to labor in and to give birth in.

The topic on most women’s mind when the topic of water birthing is discussed is the safety. Though some people have successful water births without a specially trained attendant, it is not recommended. As with any birth choice, it is best to be fully informed and make use of experience that is available. It is best to talk with a doctor or midwife who has experience with water birthing. Experience can be gained by assisting in water birthing and being the attendant at a water birth while an experienced attendant is overseeing. Eventually the attendant will do water births solo.

Like with any choice for a birth, there are risks. These risks can be managed with knowledge, preparation, and medical screening. Over all, water births are safe and have the following advantages to the mother and baby:

· Decreases labor discomfort

· Increases effectiveness of labor

· Reduces stress on baby

· Less perineum trauma

· Rare need for episiotomies

· Feeling of safety for mother

· Lowers blood pressure

· Fewer cesareans

· Interventions reduced

Water births not only have a high rating from the mothers and their partners, it also has high ratings from midwives. Women must be flexible in the evet a situation arises that it is no longer a safe option to be in the water. It is wise to be prepared to birth outside of the birthing tub. Since things can change quickly during a birth, there may not be adequate time to prepare to change from a water birth to a birth outside the water. Parents should communicate with the birthing attendant what the birthing choice and birthing plan is in the event that there cannot be a successful water birth.

There are conditions that would make water birthing an unsafe choice. The mother’s attitude is very important. If she is choosing a water birth because of peer pressure or because her partner wants her to, the likelihood of an unsuccessful water birth increases. When a motivated mother insists on a water birth with a birth attendant who is reluctant or inexperienced, when labor progresses and the mother enters a vulnerable stage, she may choose to skip the water birth to please her birthing attendant. Physical reasons that a water birth should not be done:

· Pre-term labor

· Excessive vaginal bleeding

· Maternal fever over 100.4 degrees

· Need for continuous heartbeat monitoring

· Sedation or epidural

· Untreated skin or blood infection

Depending on the attendant’s comfort level and the policies of a location, the following may be possible reasons that a water birth will not be done:

· The presence of meconium

· HIV, Hepatitis A, B, or C, GBS (group B Streptococcus)

· Herpes

· Breech birth

· Multiple births