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There are many forms and scenes for giving birth available nowadays and each of them tend to
prefer the one which suits them the most so that in the end all the pains and expectations are put
to rest. Water birth is the process of giving birth in warm water and in most cases water is
contained in a tub which has the best and comfortable place to give birth. The theory behind
water birth is that the baby has been in the amniotic sac for 9 months and birthing into a similar
environment is gentler for the baby and less stressful for the mother.

Water birth may be a complete whole process where mothers choose to be in them until they
deliver while others will only stay in such warm water tubs for labor and then decide to give
birth outside the water. This environment posed by the water tub can be compared to the
warm amniotic fluid that the baby has been living in and so giving birth in the warm water then
means that the baby is getting the fair separation on a slightly better surrounding compared to
those given birth outside the warm water.

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Childbirth with the help of water involves putting the mother in a warm water tub where she is
monitored with the help of special underwater devices. The mother remains submerged in water
during the complete labor till the baby is delivered. After the baby is delivered underwater, the
nurse takes the baby out of water and hands it over to the mother - one of her long-awaited and
life's most precious gift! The baby can remain submerged under water after birth without any risk
because they do not breathe until they are exposed to air.

  


Ô| Yuoyancy 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.

Ô| pmmersion in water often helps lower high blood pressure caused by anxiety.
Ô| Water seems to alleviate stress-related hormones, allowing the mother¶s body to produce
endorphins, which are pain-inhibitors.
 Ô| Water causes the perineum to become more elastic and relaxed, which reduces the incidence
and severity of tearing and the need for an episiotomy and stitches.

Ô| The water provides a sense of privacy, which releases inhibitions, anxiety, and fears.

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pt minimizes fetal complications during childbirth as this process replicates the womb
environment and shields the baby from sound and light making the transition of the baby to the
outer world much easier and effortless for the mother as well.

 

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Ô| Water is soothing, comforting, relaxing.

Ô| esults in less painful birthing experience as delivering the baby in warm water soothes and

relaxes the pelvic muscles easing the process of childbirth.

Ô| As the laboring women relaxes physically she is able to relax mentally, concentrating her

efforts inward on the birth process.Generally human muscles get more relaxed in water and
so this water birth helps the mother in achieving the cool surrounding free from stress and
hence in the long run labor periods will tend to be lower than usual.

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Ô| educes labor pains as the effect of warm water helps reduce the secretion of adrenaline and
increases the secretion of endorphins. pt lends more elasticity to the perineum leading to fewer
chances of slashes and results in an effortless birthing experience.
Ô| Warm water becomes massage to the labor pain and so mothers using them during labor are
bound to lessen their pains during the period.
Water birth may shorten the first stage of labor and reduce the need for anesthesia.

 
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Ô| þakes the expecting mother less exhaustive and more energetic as water has a soothing effect

on the woman's muscles which helps reduce the strained pushing activity.
Ô| pn the later stages of labor, the water seems to increase the woman¶s energy.
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Ô| Water also helps the delivering mother change positions during childbirth and it provides the

requisite buoyancy making the process a lot easier for the anxious mother.
Ô| The buoyancy lessens her body weight, allows free movement and new positioning.

Ô| Yest positions may be achieved so that those which allow easy movement for the baby will be

attained easily.

  
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Ô| rrovides a similar environment as the amniotic sac.

Ô| Êases the stress of the birth, providing reassurance and security.

What situations are not ideal for water birth?

Ô|  !   
  Herpes transfers easily in water, so you will want to discuss this
thoroughly with your health care provider.
Ô|  !
 !  
 Though water birth has been done with bottom or feet first
presentations you will want to discuss this thoroughly with your health care provider.
Ô|  !       "      " excessive bleeding or maternal
infection.
Ô| !
   Though water births have been successful with twins around
the world, you will want to discuss this thoroughly with your health care provider.
Ô|  

 
     pf a baby is pre-term, two weeks or more prior to due date,
water birth is not recommended.
Ô|  
  
   þild to moderate meconium is fairly normal. Since
meconium floats to the surface in a tub, your health care provider will watch for it and
remove it immediately, or help you out of the tub. þeconium usually washes off the face of
the baby and even comes out of the nose and mouth while the baby is still under water. pf
the water is stained and birth is imminent, the woman can lift her pelvis out of the water to
birth the infant.
Ô| !  

 You will want to thoroughly discuss this with your
health care provider.
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However, water births may pose a variety of risks to you and your baby, but little research has
been done to determine how often complications arise. Some doctors still consider this type of
birth unsafe, and the following are problems that can occur during a water birthV

Ô| Your baby might gasp for air and possibly inhale water into his or her lungs because the
umbilical cord is twisted and cutting off the oxygen supply or your baby is stressed. pf
your baby inhales water into his or her lungs, this may also lower the sodium levels in
your baby's blood; a condition called hyponatremia.
Ô| Water embolism; during your delivery, water may enter your bloodstream.
Ô| The umbilical cord may snap while the baby is being lifted out of the water. This can be
prevented by carefully lifting the baby out of the water. Your baby may need a blood
transfusion if this happens.
Ô| pf the water in the tub is not clean, your baby might contract an infection.
Ô| The hygiene of the pool or bath tub may not be at the required standards and even more
to the mother who has a fragile life to be cared for. pnfections therefore may arise and
hence pose health risks and other problems to both mother and the baby.
Ô| Ylood discharge and other fluids may not become good to the mother and hence end up
creating unpleasant environment within the water.
Ô| Yeing in these waters may not change the labor pains and so signs of disbelief may go on
to develop among the mothers and may end up harming the baby.
Ô| Also for those cases where there are emergencies, identifying and dealing with such cases
will tend to be difficult.



 
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‡ Where the baby is having premature birth.

 ‡ Where the second stage of labor has gone for a longer time than usual.

‡ pf the baby does not possess the required position of head down required for normal birth.

‡ pf the mother is having more than one child than the normal cases.

þothers may be interrupted and asked to leave and abandon the water birth process if the labor
has become slower than the expected one and also if too much bleeding occur immediately.
Further if the mother feels unwell then there is no use being in a pool as she can be put under
medication on necessary pills to alleviate such pains.

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Ô| Check first with your health care provider. They may already be equipped for water birth
with a special tub, or know where to refer you in your area.
Ô| pf you plan to give birth at a hospital, make sure their policies are water birth friendly. þore
and more hospitals are welcoming parents who want to try water birth.

Ô| You can rent a birthing tub. Check online or in the phone book. Ye sure to ask if fees
include shipping both ways and any other extras to make your birth experience more
enjoyable. Check with your insurance company to see if they will reimburse the expense of
the rental.
Ô| Contact a local birth center to see if they provide water birth options.

 
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Ô| þake sure that the water temperature is set at no more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Hospital
birthing pools are typically designed to stay at the correct temperature. Also make sure that the
pool and the water in the pool are clean.
Ô| [rink plenty of water during the delivery to prevent dehydration.
Ô| Have a plan in place in case there are complications.
Ô| pf there is any concern about your safety or the health of your baby, get out of the birthing pool.