Water Births

The gentlest kind of birth - in water

Water births are starting to become much more popular now as more hospitals are offering this as a suitable option for giving birth to your baby.

Giving birth in water is said to be the 'gentlest of gentle births', and anyone who has already given birth the 'normal' way will know that this can't be a bad thing!

What are the benefits of having your baby's birth in water?

• A water birth can help to co-ordinate contractions.

• The feeling of water surrounding your body can help you to feel less tense, making your muscles relax, and in turn helping to shorten the length of your labor.

• Floating in water can make you feel more comfortable. When you're in labor it's sometimes hard to get comfy and this can hinder labor and make it harder for your baby to move down the birth canal.

• Having your baby's birth in water means you are a lot less likely to tear your perineum. The water helps to soften your skin, making it easier for the birth of your baby's head.

• It may be easier for your baby to born into water, keeping him relaxed while this traumatic experience carries on around him.

Are there any downsides to giving birth in water? Well as with any medical procedure, there can always be problems.

Problems associated with giving birth in water

• It may not give the kind of pain relief that you imagined it would.

• Many people believe that their baby may start to breathe under water. This is highly unlikely and experts say that a baby will not start to breathe after his birth until his skin is exposed to air.

• You might not like the fact that there could be blood clots or faeces in the water (Yes these thing do happen! although your midwife will sieve any debris out)

• Some doctors believe that there is actually more risk of the perineum tearing during a water birth.

• It is a little more common for the umbilical cord to tear if your baby is born underwater, and if there is an emergency situation it could take longer to get out of the pool.

You may not be able to have your baby's birth in the water for several reasons, these could include: If you're having a multiple birth, if your baby is premature or breech.

There are also reasons why giving birth to your baby in water is not a good idea. Such as if you are diabetic, if you have pre-eclampsia, if your labor has been induced. There are also other reasons and your midwife will discuss these reasons with your if she thinks that giving birth in water is not a good decision for you. To see video of a water birth, click here.

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