Water Birth Delivery: Here’s All That You Need To Know

One of the concerns that most pregnant women have is about the type of delivery they should go ahead with. While natural birth is the most preferred method of delivery, sometimes pregnant women may have to opt for a C-section in complicated pregnancies. However, priority is always given to natural birth.

The other alternative to natural birth is water birth delivery. It is considered to be more relaxing for the mother and the baby. 

What Is Water Birth Delivery?

Water birth delivery is when a part of the delivery or labour or even both happens while the mother is in a birth pool filled with warm water. It is like natural or normal delivery but as mentioned either the labour and delivery or one of the two happens in the water. A woman can choose to remain in the water till delivery or spend part of their labour in the water and come out for delivery. If a woman chooses to give birth in the water, the doctor brings the baby up to the mother’s chest before he/she removes the umbilical cord.

What Is A Birthing Pool?

The birthing pool is a tub filled with warm water. The birthing pool can be placed either in the hospital, at home or at a birthing centre. A midwife, nurse or doctor helps you through the process.

Why Choose Water Birth Delivery? 

Water delivery is considered a more relaxing and easing birth experience for the mum as well as the baby. It is calming for the baby since the warm water feels like an amniotic sac inside the mother where the baby spends nine months before birth.

What Are The Benefits of Water Birth Delivery For The Mum? 

There are many benefits of water birth delivery.

• It acts as a natural alternative to anaesthesia 
• Helps ease the pain of labour and delivery
• The mum is less anxious as warm water helps her to stay calm, keeping stress in check
• Regulates uterine contractions
• Shortens labour

What Are The Benefits of Water Birth Delivery For The Baby?

• Provides a comforting way to enter the world
• Baby is less stressed
• Makes the baby feel more secure

Are There Any Risks Involved In A Water Bath Delivery?

While water birth delivery can ease the pain for the mum there are certain risks involved.

• Drowning and meconium aspiration (the baby may accidentally inhale the water that has been contaminated with its first bowel movement)
• Babies get their oxygen supply through the umbilical cord hence the baby may not be able to breathe in the water until it is brought out of it.
• The baby’s temperature could be too high or too low

Things To Keep In Mind If You Plan A Water Birth Delivery

Whether you decide to have a water birth delivery at home, hospital or birthing centre there are certain things you need to keep in mind.

• Make sure you have an experienced healthcare professional
• Hygiene; the tub must be clean and free from any infection
• Proper monitoring; you and your baby need to be monitored properly while in the tub
• Water temperature should be well regulated and needs to be between 97 to 100 F
• Stay well hydrated.

Can Any Pregnant Woman Opt For Water Birth Delivery?

You cannot opt for water birth delivery if:

• The mum is younger than 17 years or older than 35 
• The baby is in a breech position
• The mum has preeclampsia, diabetes, herpes or preeclampsia.
• The mum is expecting twins or triplets
• The baby is premature
• The baby is too big
• The mum has an infection

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