Water Birth: What It Is, Advantages, Contraindications, Where to Do It
Introduction
Water birth: all expectant mothers, at least once, have asked themselves questions about this practice which, as we will see, is as old as the hills .
If you are looking for information on this, this article is for you.
To make it easier to read, I have also prepared an index. If you are interested in a certain topic, all you have to do is click on the title of the paragraph and delve deeper into the theme.
In case, once you finish reading, you have any unanswered questions, I invite you to come and visit me on Instagram , a social network where I publish lots of content about the world of motherhood every day.
What is water birth?
What is water birth? As highlighted in this video by Dr. Maria Chiara Alvisi, an independent midwife since 2013, it is an ancient and primordial practice.
Having become common in the clinical field in the 1960s thanks to the scientific work of the Russian researcher Igor Charkovsky , it began to gain ground in Italy in the following decade following the arrival, in a hospital in the province of Siena, of the first birthing tub in our country.
Birthing tubs , designed to guarantee maximum safety for the mother-to-be, must have very specific characteristics.
These include the absence of sharp edges and parts.
Furthermore, the pools used for water births are very large, in order to guarantee the freedom of movement essential for good labor.
Regarding the water temperature , I remember that, in general, it is always below 38°C.
It is recommended to keep it within a range between 35 and 37°C.
It is very important not to overdo it. A sudden increase in the mother's body temperature due to the water, in fact, can cause hyperthermia in the fetus .
The consequence of all this is the risk that the puppy will not have sufficient oxygen reserves for the duration of labor.
The main advantages of water birth
The reason why many women choose to give birth in water is easily explained: this element is the origin of life, one of the ancestral symbols of creation and femininity.
From a physiological point of view, we can talk about numerous advantages deriving from water birth .
Among the main ones is the fact that when the woman's body is in an aquatic environment, the passage of the baby through the birth canal is much easier.
A mention, as is due, must also be made of the benefits regarding the health of the future mother.
The possibility of laboring in water, preferably immersed in a warm liquid, makes the experience much more relaxing.
Furthermore, the pain is definitely more bearable.
Why? For a very simple reason: the body receives first the information of the heat in contact with the skin and, later, the painful stimulus.
Furthermore, thanks to the greater release of endorphins , the mother who chooses to give birth in water experiences what is, in fact, one of the most effective natural forms of pain inhibition.
I would also like to point out another aspect of great importance, namely the fact that, when immersed in water, the travagliante is much lighter.
This aspect makes the difference with regards to a point already mentioned, that is, freedom of movement.
A pelvis that is freer to move is synonymous, in most cases, with a reduced risk of having to deal with problems related to incorrect positioning of the fetus while it is in the birth canal.
The result? A less traumatic transition for the puppy from the darkness and tranquility of the womb to the world that awaits him.
The advantages of water birth also concern the health of the perineum , whose tissues are softened and less at risk of lacerations .
The consequence of all this is a strong reduction in the risk of problems arising during childbirth.
Another positive aspect of water birth is the powerful intimacy that the mother-to-be experiences.
The woman, in fact, is in the water with the person she has chosen to assist her.
Everyone else, even the midwife, is at a distance.
It is effectively a bubble, a safe and protected context that helps make the birth experience decidedly more pleasant .
I conclude this excursus dedicated to the advantages of water birth by pointing out that, when we mention this approach to birth, we are dealing with a situation that facilitates the very first respiratory efforts of the baby outside the womb.
Once the shoulders have been released, the pup is helped to return to the surface and placed on the mother's chest, initially keeping half of its body still immersed to prevent heat loss.
Furthermore, warm water helps prevent the risk of hypothermia in the puppy, a very problematic event when it occurs.
When you can't have a water birth
Are there any contraindications to water birth? The answer is yes.
These are all those situations in which one is dealing with a non-physiological picture, even due to conditions that appeared during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes.
Water birth is also not recommended in cases of maternal hypertension.
In this case, the risk is that of compromising the efficiency of the placenta, with potential problems for the health of the baby.
Induced labor is another eventuality listed among the contraindications of water birth.
Continuing with the list of contraindications to water birth, we recall the following situations:
- Preterm birth;
- multiple pregnancy;
- mother with high fever;
- need for continuous monitoring of fetal cardiac activity and absence of a dedicated underwater fetal monitor.
It is essential to remember, however, that women who find themselves in the situations mentioned above can still come into contact with the element of water during labor, albeit in ways other than total immersion in the tub.
From a hot water bottle to a shower, there are many ways water can be invaluable during labor.
Where you can give birth in water
Water birth can be performed in different contexts. These include maternity homes , but also the home of the future mother . In the event that a home birth is chosen, the midwife in charge of following the baby's birth will bring the tub with her.
Even in several hospitals you can choose water birth. The best thing to do is to be well informed about it when you are looking for the best place to give birth to your baby.