What are the Benefits of a Water Childbirth?
Most women would consider giving birth in water to be rather strange. If you come to think of it, it is strange. Women who wish to go in for a water childbirth are known to be quite tuned into taking care of themselves and therefore would want the best for themselves as well as for the much awaited bundle of joy!
I mean all one can really gather the colours of joy, not to mention the uncanny feeling of experiencing water childbirth. Believe it or not, water childbirths is gaining popularity. There are more women today who request a birthing pool than ever before.
The Benefits of a Water Childbirth
Water a known lifesaver is perhaps the only option for women while they are in immense labour pain. Although this isn’t a novel idea, it sure is gaining importance by the day! In fact water childbirths can also be really trendy as water cools your system and allows you to have a delivery that less painful. Warm water can actually help you ease your backaches and sore muscles in this condition. More often than not, the pregnancy position can take a toll on the way you are seated in the normal practice of labour. The back and the thigh muscles can actually go for a toss, especially if it’s your first pregnancy. For those who aren’t all that athletic, a normal pregnancy can be very stressful, as it means being in the same position for a time that cannot be estimated. In a situation like water childbirth, water aids in stabilizing your blood flow, bringing down your pulse, and helping you achieve a state of relaxation, while you deliver.
Additionally, large amounts of water in the pool give you some resilience! It offers you tremendous support when you need it most. It especially helps your back and takes off some of the pressure from your stomach. If you’d notice most people who are obese tend to suffer from backache so you can imagine the plight of a pregnant woman! Some women also believe that water childbirth can help them to get more relaxed in the birth pool, and also that the dilation occurs faster than usual. It’s also noted that the baby slips out so easily that it’s incredible how the process can be almost painless. Normally it is believed that delivering a boy is far simpler, as against delivering a female child. Though both include their levels of pain, labour pain while delivering a male child is a little less painful as against a girl! Water childbirth eases the pain in both cases, leaving little room for paranoid and anxious mothers in particular! Some of the benefits of water childbirth are as follows:
- Since birth pools are especially made for the purpose of giving birth, they are usually large in sizes. You may have up to two people comfortably fitting in this pool. It can almost pass off as a swimming lesson, rather than a stressful delivery. This simply means that as in most cases wherein men are petrified at the sight of a labour room, they can now actually enjoy the experience with you.
- Most babies are good swimmers; its one of those things that nature endows them with. So when you have a water pregnancy taking place, it’s a pleasurable trip for both, mother and baby. This is because the baby is familiar with the surrounding while he is in the womb and this is probably just an extension to that effect. This also helps in evading a certain culture shock that most babies are in for! Moreover babies need to a pat on their butt before the heart beats accurately, so it’s the best option for the two of you.
- It’s also important that you note the time that the baby remains under water. And this should not exceed 10 seconds or so, as most babies are brought within this time. Giving birth in water typically means that you can make your baby's introduction to air in a gentler environment; a state that’s less traumatic for the baby. Moreover, some babies can get confused getting out in an environment that’s totally alien to them. Since the atmosphere within the womb is pretty much the same as that the one introduced in the process of water childbirth; it’s possible that the new born would be less prone to the shock of getting introduced in the normal human world.
- Although there isn’t much information its important to note that water birth are not a compulsion. It all depends on your choice. If you prefer and feel that you can manage a delivery in the normal circumstances, then so be it. Water childbirths can be pleasurable and less painful especially for first time moms. However, there are cases of second time moms who also adopt this system of childbirth as it helps in faster recovery and a stronger mother, even though it is for the second time.
Gaining Momentum
An important point to remember is in case you choose the process of water childbirth; make sure that you are surrounded with ample number of towels. The space and atmosphere outside water may be a wee bit cold for the both of you, so its best if the baby is wrapped in as soon as you deliver. Although you cannot guarantee that each child would experience this as most traits that the baby will eventually develop may be also seen at their birth, it’s best if you opt for some sort of precaution upfront. To give you a clear example, it’s possible that there are certain kids who hate to be wrapped simply because they’ve enjoyed their freedom in the womb for quite a large span of time. Whatever be the reason, it’s best if you keep your baby towels ready at hand. Pregnancy can be traumatic for first timers as well as for mothers who are diabetic or suffer from high blood pressure. In case you are one of those women who suffer from the above, its best if you go in for a C section and not opt for a water pregnancy. High blood pressure can lead to complications and may or may not lead to breech babies being born.
Water childbirths can make labour and birth a much more enjoyable process. And if you are amongst great company, its best that you make the most of this option. It’s one sure shot method of maximum pleasure in minimum pain.