Giving birth in water: what it is, advantages, and frequently asked questions

Natural childbirth in the water lessens the pain and time off from work for the birth, but for a safe delivery, it is important that the water birth is to be settled between the parents and the hospital or clinic where the baby will be born a few months before the labor begins.

Some of the options to be able to deliver a baby in the water with the use of a swimming pool in plastic, or in a bath, it will be the responsibility of the hospital. The site should be properly cleaned and that the water needs to be at about a 36 C at all times, so that when you are born, the room temperature is comfortable for the baby.

The main advantage of giving birth in the water, that is, the reduction of pain during labor, and the need to resort to a c-section or even by the use of suction or forceps, promoting the birth of more natural and less traumatic for the mother and for the baby to be.

The main advantages of giving birth in the water

The main advantages of giving birth in the midst of the water, to the mother, which include:

• The relief of the pain , the acceleration and the shorter the work, the birth of the child;
• The feeling of weightlessness in the water, which allows for greater movement during labor ;
• A greater sense of security to be able to control which positions are the most comfortable to take while contractions
• The warm water promotes relaxation of the muscles, including those of the perineum , ligaments, and joints in the pelvic girdle, making it easy for the birth of the child;
• A decrease in the sensation of fatigue during labor, because the muscles of the body, they tend to be more relaxed throughout the process.
• It is easier to switch off from the world around you , and it can realize more of your needs in the most primal;
• Minor swelling in the body, total;
• The greatest satisfaction for the staff to participate actively in the work of giving birth, which contributes to the ’empowerment’ of women, as well as a sensation of well-being, self-esteem, relaxation and mental well-being
• A lower risk of post-partum depression ;
• The facilitation of breastfeeding ;
• It decreases the need for pain;
• That reduces the need of the situation, and the laceration of the perineum , and other interventions during labour and delivery.

The benefits for the baby include improved oxygen supply to the baby during labour and birth, time of trauma, because there is less artificial light, and noise, and often it is the mother who brings them to the surface to breathe, and it surely will be the first face you will see, by increasing the bond between him, his mother.

Who can be a woman in the water

All the women who had healthy pregnancies, and for low-risk and do not have any complications during your pregnancy, and they have a baby is also healthy, you can opt for a natural birth in the water. Thus, it is possible to have a water birth if a woman has pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, diabetes , birth of the twins, or you have already had a section above.

A woman can go in the water, right at the beginning of the contractions, because the warm water helps to speed up the onset of labor and cervical dilation, indicating that, in a short period of time that the baby is really ready to be born.

Frequently asked questions

Some of the most commonly asked questions is in relation to the birth of the child in the water, answer the following.

1. The baby can suffocate if it is born in the water.

Don’t, baby don’t you run the risk of drowning because he has a mirror of the drowning”, which does not allow it to inspire you while you’re out on the water.

2. The risk of infection of the vagina is higher at birth in the water.

No, because the water does not enter the vagina, and in addition to the contamination that could occur during the finishing touches to the body performed by the nurses and midwives is further decreased, because of this type of operation is much lower in the water.

3. You have to be all naked in the water?

Not necessarily, because a woman may choose to cover her breasts, leaving only the part from the waist down, she was naked. However, after the birth of the baby is going to want to breastfeed and breast free, it can help you do just that. If you and your partner want to get in the water, it doesn’t have to be naked.

4. It is necessary to remove the genital area before the baby is born?

It is not necessary to completely remove their pubic hair before you give birth, but it is recommended that you leave the woman’s to remove the excess of hair on the part of the vulva, between her legs.