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Nowadays, every mother who expects to birth her baby soon, tries to find better way and solution for delivering, of course a safe and quick way without any depression. One popular way for delivering a baby is water birth.

Water birth is the process of giving birth in a tub of warm water. Some women choose to labor in the water and get out for delivery. Other women decide to stay in the water for the delivery as well. Proponents believe this method is safe and provides many benefits for both mother and infant, including pain relief and a less traumatic birth experience for the baby. The theory behind water birth is that the baby has been in the amniotic sac for 9 months and birthing into a similar environment is gentler for the baby and less stressful for the mother. Over 4000 mothers or fathers have already registered their babies on the, “I Was Born in Water,” list.

There are several benefits of water birth for mother and baby.

For Mother:

1. Water is soothing, comforting, relaxing.
2. In the later stages of labor, the water seems to increase the woman’s energy.
3. The buoyancy lessens her body weight, allows free movement and new positioning.
4. Buoyancy promotes more efficient uterine contractions and better blood circulation, resulting in better oxygenation of the uterine muscles, less pain for the mother, and more oxygen for the baby.
5. Immersion in water often helps lower high blood pressure caused by anxiety.
6. Water seems to alleviate stress-related hormones, allowing the mother’s body to produce endorphins, which are pain-inhibitors.
7. Water causes the perineum to become more elastic and relaxed, which reduces the incidence and severity of tearing and the need for an episiotomy and stitches.
8. As the laboring woman relaxes physically she is able to relax mentally, concentrating her efforts inward on the birth process.
9. The water provides a sense of privacy, which releases inhibitions, anxiety, and fears.

For Baby:

1. Provides a similar environment as the amniotic sac.
2. Eases the stress of the birth, providing reassurance and security.

However, in some cases you can not use this way for delivering your baby. The situations are:

1. If you have some skin diseases which can contaminate easily in water such as Herpes, you better discuss this thoroughly with your health care provider.
2. If your baby is breech: Though water birth has been done with bottom or feet first presentations you will want to discuss this thoroughly with your health care provider.
3. If you have been diagnosed with one of the following: excessive bleeding or maternal infection.
4. If you are having multiples: Though water births have been successful with twins around the world, you will want to discuss this thoroughly with your health care provider.
5. If preterm labor is expected: If a baby is pre-term, two weeks or more prior to due date, water birth is not recommended.

Consider all risks that may occur, you better consult it with your doctor. Your doctor will examine your result tests during pregnancy before he decided whether you are able or not to do water birth.

the pregnant woman photo by Trudy Loosman

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