The Advantages & Disadvantages of Water Births

In our modern society, women are looking for alternatives to traditional birthing methods and are reaching out to try new techniques that are not considered mainstream. Water birth is a way of laboring and birthing where a woman immerses herself in water (typically a pool or tub) and assumes a position that is comfortable for her during the birth process.

History of Water Births

• Water birthing in humans was first invented in the 1960s by a Russian physiologist, Igor Charkovksy, who observed water births in other animals and found that water could alleviate the impact of gravity at birth on brain cells. It wasn't until the 1970s that Dr. Michel Odent of France begun introducing the water birth method in hospitals. In the 1980s, water births had been introduced to the USA by Dr. Michael Rosenthal and according to the "Journal of Nursing Research" by 1996 25,000 babies had been delivered by this method.

Advantages

• According to an article in "Midwifery Matters," water birth is associated with higher satisfaction by the mother. Laboring in a pool of water can help relax the mother and the warmth is soothing during contractions. A report published in 2000 by Otigbah et al. states that delivery in water makes labor shorter and reduces the amount of perineal tearing. By sitting in a pool, the woman is in an upright position which helps increase cervical dilation. The weightlessness felt in the water can help relieve discomfort and pain in the hips and lower back as well.

Disadvantages

• Giving birth in water requires that a midwife be with you at all times during labor and delivery to closely monitor you. Although giving birth in water has been found to be safe, in rare cases the baby will inhale water upon delivery and may require further evaluation. It is important for the baby to be fully immersed in water and brought slowly to the surface. One risk of water birth is infection in utero due to a contaminated birthing tub or dirty water. The bacteria enter the uterus and can infect the baby, so tubs should be thoroughly cleaned prior to use.

Safety

• Water birth is not recommended in high risk pregnancies. Certain health conditions also make water birth less desirable, such as: high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, having twins or more or if your baby is unusually small. Water birth should also be avoided if the mother has a health condition such as herpes, which is easily transferred in water. Water temperature should also be closely monitored so as not to get too cold or too hot.