Waterbirth is a wonderful, pain relieving, soothing to the tissues, food for the soul type of experience. I have heard waterbirth referred to as an "aquadural" and I whole heartedly agree. The side picture is me in my first waterbirth in 2002. I have personally had two of my five children at home in the water. I also offer a waterbirth tub up for rental and attend waterbirths in the home setting.

Waterbirth is a safe and effective means of giving birth. It makes the birthing mom feel more buoyant and helps to ease the pain of her contractions. The freedom of movement in the water is liberating during birth and the warmth encompassing a mom is analgesic in its effect on her back, bottom, and belly. The warmth of the water also helps her perineal tissues to expand and be supple for birth, minimizing the chances of tearing. Infection rates are no different than a land birth as long as the tub and water are clean.

Babies born in the water do not take their first breath until brought to the surface, because it is the abrupt change of temperature and environment (air hitting the lungs) that causes the baby to take its first breath. That abrupt change does not occur until after the baby is brought to the surface. Also, the baby is still connected to its mother via the umbilical cord and so continues to recieve oxygenated blood from its placenta.

Here is a brief history of waterbirth, as we know it...Hydrotherapy, more commonly known as water therapy, has been used for years to aid muscle relaxation. In 1803, in France, the first documented underwater birth occurred. Exhausted from a long labor, a woman went into a hot tub to relax. Her baby was born very soon afterwards in the tub. In the former Soviet Union, Igor Charkovshy started to experiment with water births in the 1960's. In France,from 1978 to 1985, Dr. Michel Odent attended waterbirths when the laboring women were reluctant to get out of the water.

Waterbirth is a great and viable option that should be available to all birthing women. If your birthing facility does not make use of waterbirth, write them and demand changes! Better yet, have your baby at home in a waterbirth!

 

Disclaimer:The materials provided at this site are for informational purposes and are not intended for use as diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting a licensed medical professional.