Waterbirths
Waterbirth profoundly demonstrates that women are empowered by “giving birth” and co-creating their own delivery. Health care providers see women take charge of their birth experiences. They, in turn, do everything they can do to facilitate a gentle birth.
What are the benefits of waterbirth and water labor?
- Gives a mother more feelings of control.
- Provides significant pain relief.
- Promotes relaxation.
- Enables a mother to assume any position which is comfortable for labor and birth.
- Conserves her energy.
- Reduces her need for drugs and interventions.
- Gives a mother a private protected space.
- May speed-up labor.
- Reduces blood pressure.
- Reduces perineal trauma and eliminates episiotomies.
- Is highly rated by mothers — typically stating they would consider giving birth in water again.
- Encourages an easier birth for mother and a gentle welcome for baby.
What prevents a baby from breathing under water? Several factors prevent the baby from inhaling water at the time of birth, such as:
- One important inhibitory factor involves the larynx. The larynx has 5X more taste buds than the entire surface of the tongue. When water hits the back of the throat and touches the larynx, the taste buds interpret ‘water’ and the larynx automatically closes. The water is then swallowed, going ‘down the right pipe’.
- Prostaglandin E2 levels from the placenta cause a slowing down of the fetal breathing movements. When the baby is born, the Prostaglandin level is high, temporarily suspending the baby’s breathing reflex.
- Water is a more dilute than the fluid in the baby’s lungs so water doesn’t go into the lungs at birth. The baby is brought up to the water’s surface and takes his or her first breath.
What is the water temperature? Water is monitored at a temperature that is comfortable for the mother, usually between 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a good idea to have cold cloths for the mother’s face and neck. A cool facial mist from a spray bottle is a welcome relief as well.
Does insurance pay for waterbirths? It’s always safe to inform the insurance company that the baby was born vaginally. Whether the baby was born in the bath or on the bed, it is still a vaginal birth.
How long is baby in the water after the birth? Practitioners at CWC bring the baby out of the water within seconds after birth. There is no physiological reason to leave the baby under the water for any length of time. During and right after the waterbirth, the placenta supports the baby with oxygen.
When should I get into the water? A woman is encouraged to use the jacuzzi labor pool whenever she wants, once labor is established. Morton Plant has one water birth room. It’s available for labor on a first come, first serve basis.
Some mothers find a bath in early labor useful for its calming effect and to determine if labor has actually started. If contractions are strong and regular, no matter how dilated the cervix is, a bath may help the mother to relax enough to dilate further.
How can I reserve the jacuzzi labor pool? Talk to your CWC doctor or midwife at the start of your labor.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in the Contemporary Women’s Care website should be relied upon for medical education purposes only. It is not intended to replace the independent judgment of a health care provider. The appropriateness of a course of treatment for a patient may vary from the medical information provided herein due to individual conditions and/or complications.
