Giving birth is a momentous occasion for any mama. Be it their first or their nth birth, it’s something that will always be seen as a milestone. As such, every mama wants to make sure it’s as special as it can possibly be.
There are many ways to make this moment very memorable. For example, some mamas want to be fully made up for the occasion. Who’s to say you can’t have your makeup on fleek while you’re pushing your baby out, after all? On the other hand, some mamas want to choose how they give birth.
Of course, sometimes the way you give birth to your baby may not be under your control due to certain circumstances. However, for mamas who have a choice, sometimes they want to make the most out of how they decide they want to birth their baby. In some cases, mamas end up wanting to have a water birth.
As interesting as it sounds, are water births something you should consider as a choice? If you’re someone that’s considering delivering your baby this way, there are a few things you’ll have to consider first. After all, if you want to make the most out of the kind of birth you want to have, it pays to make as informed of a decision as possible. So, with that in mind, we’ll give you the low-down on water births!
What is a Water Birth?
A water birth is when you spend either a part of your birth or the entire birth in water. Usually, these births are done in a dedicated birthing pool. However, sometimes people also have a makeshift pool where they can get these types of births done.
Water births are not uncommon. Around the world, like in the United States, there are institutions and facilities that offer this birthing option. Of course, there are also people who choose to do this birthing method on their own. Whatever the case, there are a number of mamas who choose this method. This is because they believe that there are some benefits to doing water births.
Why Do People Do Water Birth?
There are several reasons why a mama would consider getting a water birth. For example, some people believe that water births help simulate being in the womb or in water and make the birth feel more “natural.” In line with this, people also believe that humans still share a reflex or characteristic that makes them feel at home when in water. So, by doing a water birth, they preserve that.
Of course, aside from these, there are also some reasons that may be backed by science. Being in water during the first part of your birth—the labor stage—can help you relax more. As such, many mamas opt to have a water birth to ease their labor pains and make themselves more comfortable. Some even say that it helps shorten the amount of time you spend in labor.
Some mamas also opt for a water birth because it makes it easier for them to move. In line with them being more comfortable, being in water may make movement less strenuous compared to if a mama was in the bed. Considering that they’re floating in the water, making movements and positional adjustments would take less effort.
Is Water Birth Safe?
Given the reasons that people choose to have a water birth, one might wonder if this is indeed beneficial and safe. Unfortunately, the answer to this isn’t entirely straightforward. For example, in terms of safety, it depends on when you’re in the birthing pool.
While you’re in the first stage of labor, it’s relatively safe. This is because your cervix isn’t fully dilated and you’re still having your contractions. As you’re still trying to push the baby out (up until its head reaches the birth canal), the risks here are minimal. However, that all changes when you’re in the second stage of labor.
When you talk about the second stage of labor, you talk about when your baby’s in your birth canal and is about to exit the womb. In this case, doing a water delivery may be filled with more risks. For example, being exposed to water that might not be sterile could introduce infection to you or your baby. Your baby could also get an infection if their umbilical cord snaps before they get out of the water. The water could also be too low or too high. Then, there’s also the risk of your baby ingesting the water in the pool.
Aside from this, there’s also the risk of needing an emergency Cesarean section during the middle of your water birth. Your baby could be in a breech presentation or there could be some other complication that may require you to get a C-section as soon as possible. If you’re still in the water, you could be wasting precious seconds moving to an operating table, seconds that could otherwise be used to save you and your baby as soon as possible.
Given all of these things, there’s a lot that you’ll have to consider when deciding whether you want to do a water birth or not. While there are some good reasons to have one, there are also some risks that come with it. As such, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. After all, this is your health and your baby’s health on the line.
With that in mind, if this is something you really want to do, it’s best to ask your doctor about how feasible it is for you to do. At least you know the risks that come with it, so you can discuss this with your doctor and see if it’s still something for you or not.
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