Water Birth Questions You May Need Answered
Posted on: 30 December 2014
Share
Having a baby can be one of the most exciting, stressful and joyous times in your life. However, there are many different options available to expectant mothers, and choosing the right place to have your baby can be a difficult task. This is particularly true for those that do not want to have a baby in a hospital setting. For these individuals, water birthing may be the best option available, but if you are unfamiliar with water births, there are some questions you may need addressed.
Are There Any Benefits To Choosing A Water Birth?
Water birthing can offer you numerous advantages over other options. Firstly, the water helps keep the body relaxed, and this can help expedite the labor process. By minimizing the number of hours it takes for you to deliver the child, you can help keep the risk of complications and the amount of pain to a minimum.
Also, the water can provide a much more sanitary environment for giving birth. Birth pools are filled with water that has been specially treated to remove any bacteria without using chemicals that pose a risk to the mother or child. This helps keep the entire process sanitized which reduce the risks of post birth infections and other complications.
Is The Baby In Danger of Drowning?
Some people may not want to choose a water birth because they are concerned that there will be a chance that the baby will drown. This concern is understandable, but it should be noted that this is not a risk. The womb is filled with a variety of fluids that sustain and protect the child while it is developing. As a result, newborns come into the world still receiving oxygen from the umbilical cord, and wait to breathe until in the open air. This means that the child is not at risk of drowning as long as it is quickly removed from the water.
To this end, your midwife or attending doctor will be in the birthing pool waiting on the baby to emerge. This will ensure that they are able to quickly grab the newborn as soon as it emerges.
Giving birth in water can be an excellent way of reducing the stress on your body and the risk of developing infections. However, water births have only recently gained in popularity, and you may not know much about them. Contact a local midwife group, like Women's Healthcare Associates LLC, to answer any questions you might have.