Second time round for me I'm really hoping to have a water birth.
I would of loved to of had a water birth with Ashlyn. I don't know about you, but any time I've had cramping (period or pregnancy related) I've always opted for a hot bath. Back in those days however, a water birth wasn't as common nor as popular as it has become today. Nor was I as familiar with the option. Though I wish I had been.
I have many reasons for opting to go water second time round. Watching fellow You Tuber's has definitely given me a better insight into the whole thing. It's not for everyone. I admit when I first told a few family members what my plans were it did raise a few eye brows. Questions raised about how the baby would breathe under water for example. That always came down to ignorance. Below is a list of the many benefits a water birth can have for you & your new baby.
The Many Benefits Of Water For Labour And/Or Birth
- Greater comfort and mobility. The mother has much greater ease and freedom to move spontaneously and to change position to aid in descent of the baby.
- Reduction of pressure on the abdomen. 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.
- Helps mother to conserve her energy. Immersion reduces opposition to gravity; supporting the mothers weight so that her energy can be used to cope with the contractions
- Promotes deeper relaxation. As a woman relaxes deeply in water, her hormones are released and she starts progressing faster with more rhythm: labour becomes more efficient.
- Water relaxes the pelvic floor muscles, as it softens the vagina, vulva and perineum leading to fewer injuries to these tissues.
- Water minimises the pain so effectively for most women that it reduces or eliminates the need for analgesia.
- If analgesia is required it is in lower doses and is potentiated by the effect of the water.
- Immersion is more safe and effective than an epidural.
- Water stimulates the touch and temperature nerve fibres in the skin. It blocks impulses from the pain fibres, known as the ‘Gate Theory of Pain’.
- Facilitates a dysfunctional labour. Water can be an effective way to stimulate dilation of the cervix when the mother has difficulty progressing into the active stage of labour.
- Water can reduce the need for drugs to artificially stimulate labour. Often, simply getting into the tub will result in dramatic and rapid progress to full dilation within an hour or two.
- Lowering of blood pressure. When anxiety is causing high blood pressure, immersion in water often helps relieve it. The effect is heightened if the room is darkened.
- Change of consciousness. Immersion helps relive anxiety and promote relaxation. Water encourages women to let go and focus inward as labour progresses
- Easier breathing. Moisture in the air makes it easier to breathe without the mouth becoming dry and is helpful for women with asthma. Also decreases the tendency to hyperventilate.
- Facilitates the second stage of labour. Many women are less inhibited in the water.
- Many women experience rapid second stages, with the baby emerging minutes after the body begins pushing, also known as the foetus ejection reflex. (see Odent, The Nature of Birth and Breastfeeding)
- It reduces the ‘ick’ factor for some women and encourages both parents to touch the baby whilst birthing
- Being in the tub reduces the possibility of intervention by birth attendants. Their visibility is reduced and they cannot touch the perineum or baby as it emerges unless the mother chooses to let them.
- The ability for birth attendants to intrude is reduced. They are less likely to interfere with the actual birthing without the woman's consent and willingness to move and allow access.
- Skin to skin time is facilitated.
- Initial breast contact is also easier to initiate as the woman is already naked.
- The cord continues to pulse strongly for an extended period, resulting in baby receiving his full blood volume.
- Birth in water is wholly a somehow softer, more gentle experience.
Read more here;
I did have a natural birth with Ashlyn. But like I said above, I wasn't as knowledgeable back then as I am now in regards to all the different options birth wise & labour wise. If your like me though, opt for hot water during cramps or maybe your just looking at a natural birth experience with as little intervention as possible, definitely start looking into a water birth!!
It's definitely the option I'm planning for & can't wait to experience a water birth of my own :)
