Water Birth – Labor & Birth In The Bathtub

Just as the term water birth implies, this is a method of giving birth with the use of water accumulated in a tub. Although this may not be as widely used compared to other methods of delivering a baby, its popularity is increasing these days. Let’s take a peek at the factors why this method of delivering is being chosen by some mothers compared to the usual methods that have already been tested by time.

- First, compared to other methods, water birth provides a certain amount of ease and comfort to the mother upon giving birth. The mother can easily relax herself not only moments before the start of the childbirth process but even during the labor process.

- There is less stress experienced by the mother’s body in this method. Her body is dipped into water during the entire birth process making her muscles less strained. She may also have her husband sit behind her to provide her with her much needed emotional and physical support during the cycles of breathing and pushing out of the baby.

- For mothers who have cardiac complications or high blood pressure, this method suits them perfectly. Because of the coolness that that water tub can offer them, chances of increasing blood pressure during the maneuvering of breathing and pushing is less likely to occur.

-For the baby, the mother can feel at ease every time she pushes knowing that the baby gets delivered into a soothing environment once it exits her. Once the baby exits, she can also see the baby right away and cherish the moment of giving birth right then and there.

- The baby can feel freedom of motion once he or she exits his or her mother. Blood circulation gets promoted as well as adequate oxygenation for quick lung expansion and supplying. Because the mother does not need to think about anything else due to her relaxed state, she can focus on her breathing exercises and concentrate on getting the baby safely delievered.

- Since the procedure puts less stress and fatigue on both the mother and the child, recovery and discharge from the hospital is faster compared to methods that would let the mother and child undergo so much stress during labor.