Conceiving and giving birth to a baby is a wonderful experience. The very sight of the young one is a joyous moment. Although child birth is a universal phenomena the way each individual reacts would be different. As each body is made differently the experience of childbirth would also be different for each individual and so the different methods of
delivery.
Water Birth is an accepted technique of delivery wherein the mother sits in a pool of warm water for delivering the baby. This method of delivery is an accepted technique and is seen to be most commonly used in case of home deliveries. Due to the several benefits of
Water Birth method both for the mother as well as the
child, it is being used in several hospitals and clinics as well. Several hospitals and clinics now provide for pools whereby water birth can be successfully carried out. The “Monadnock Community Hospital” at Peterborough , New Hampshire was the first hospital to introduce water birth in the United States.
Benefits to the Mother
Water birth reduces the intensity of the labor pain. It is seen as a useful technique for pain management in case of labor. In comparison to other techniques of reducing pain during
Pregnancy like epideural anesthesia, water birth is a safe method and does not have any side effects. Benefits to the infant.
Benefits to the Infant
It provides a familiar ambience for the infant (as the foetus has been living in the fluid in the womb).
Water Birth is definitely less traumatic for the baby as the infant comes to the outside world to familiar surroundings and has some time to adjust to the light and colors that this alien world provides.
Risks of Water Birth
Some risks that are attached to Water Birth are:
• Some experts suggest that the labor in water may be delayed. Although there are two schools of thought regarding this – “for” and “against”.
• There is a risk of the
infant inhaling water.
• Due to the presence of water at the time of birth the risk of getting any kind of infection from the water is very high.
• Some experts also state another reason against
Water Birth. According to them it may be difficult to actually estimate the blood lost by the mother in water.
Experts who are “for” water birth do not find these factors enough reason to put it away totally. Each case is different and each body reacts differently thus, the reasons cannot be generalized. It is for the individual medical practitioner to assess the situation and make the necessary suggestions. A well equipped and trained medical team for
Pregnancy women would be able to overcome most of the difficulties cited against
Water Birth.
Water birth due to its many benefits has proved to be an acceptable method for childbirth. It is practiced in several countries like the United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom to name a few.
