What are the benefits of Water Birth?

Water Birth Environment

Water Birth involves enabling the mother to labor in a tub of water whose temperature is controlled, and if appropriate, allowing her to birth her baby in water. Generally, the water in the tub is kept a few degrees “cooler” than the mother’s temperature. Because of this, an because of the cooler temperature of the water, baby’s respiratory functions are automatically suppressed during the immediate moments of her birth into water. During these moments, the baby emerges into water which is kept slightly cooler than the mother’s internal temperature, and as its face touches this water, it is still “breathing” through the placenta. This prevents the baby from going into apnea.

There are many benefits to mothers who choose to labor in water. Irrespective of whether they finally choose to give birth in water or not, being in water tub during the final, active stage of labor helps mothers (and babies) in many ways:

• Because water provides “buoyancy” it gives the mother a sense of floating or lightness, which relieves pressure on the cervix. This buoyancy also allows the baby to rotate. Further, because force of gravity is reduced many times, the baby’s head does not put pressure on the cervix, and therefore probability of perineal tear is greatly reduced.
• When mothers labor in water, sensation of pain is reduced a lot. This is because of “hydrostatic pressure”. Water supports the entire weight of the mother’s body and allows her move in a more relaxed manner. There is an increase in endorphins which results in a decrease in blood pressure. Oxytocin levels also increase because of the relaxation provided by immersion in water.
• Even anticipating getting into the water tub has been found to be associated with rapid progression in dilation. According to research conducted by the well known Natural Birth proponent Obstetrician, Dr Michael Odent, the sight and sound of water has shown to stimulate this response.

Inside the mother’s womb, baby is in a liquid environment for the better part of 9 months. All this while, it “breathes” via the placenta, while its respiratory functions are in reality, suppressed. Once the baby makes his way out of the mother’s body, if the mother is in water, the baby experiences similar environment to when being inside the mother. However, since the water in tub is kept in a controlled temperature which a few degrees cooler than that of the mother, for a few moments, the baby does not immediately switch to its respiratory reflexes, which remain suppressed, as if it is still inside the mother.

Stress hormones are lower, as the physical change in environment affects the baby very minimally immediately after birth. Empirical research tells us that babies born in water turn out to be more relaxed individuals long term.

Water Birth can be a great option for mothers who need relaxation and reduced anxiety during labor. However, whether Water Birth is appropriate for a mother is a decision which is very unique to that mother, given her antenatal history, her psychological state of mind, and the health of her baby. Her midwife, who has been closely following her antenatally, is in the best position to make that decision.

However, not mothers are ideal candidates for water birth. And not all mothers do well in water immersion in the tub. Some mothers do not handle water environment well, and choose to get out of the tub after a few minutes. Water Birth is not for everyone. Some situations do not present ideal conditions for Water Birth. Some of these risks to Water Birth are:

• Prolonged stay in the water tub during Early Labor may stall and slow down labor in some women.
• Contractions may stop and not restart unless the mother gets out of the tub.
• Women in a warm cozy water environment often go to sleep, with the effect that labor will stop

WATER BIRTH AT SANCTUM

At The Sanctum, we are experts in Water Birth. Every mother and baby is cared for on an individual basis and monitored while they labor in the tub. It is important to understand the physical as well as the emotional state of the mother during this stage. Over the entire 9 month period of her pregnancy our midwives get a close understanding of the mother’s needs. This has a great bearing on the care for the mother and baby. Between 30 to 40 percent of our babies are born in water. Over 90 percent of our mothers labor in water for some time or other during active labor.

Following is the link to an article describing a study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan School of Nursing at two United States hospitals where they compared Land Births with Water Births and concluded that if not better, Water Birth is as safe as Land Birth.

For more information on various other topics surrounding Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery and Post Partum or Newborn Care, please visit our FAQ Section. In case you have any other questions, please write to us for a one-on-one Skype Consultation with Dr Vijaya.