Planning for a Water Birth? Here's Everything You Need to Know

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Another type of labor that is not that so common is water birth. Water birth is a type of labor that takes place in a pool filled with warm water. You may opt for a water birth at a hospital, at a labor clinic, a maternity center, or even at home. However, you really need to have a doctor, a nurse, or a midwife for this labor process. 

A lot of birthing centers, maternity clinics, and hospitals in the United States offer water birth. Birthing and maternity centers are small clinics that also offer labor and birthing services such as water birth. Compared to hospitals, birthing centers offer a more homelike setting. Instead of giving birth in an operating room, they can offer you a room just like a normal bedroom for you to undergo labor. There are tons of options that pregnant women can choose from. If they want to go with a natural labor, they also have that option at birthing centers and clinics.

When it comes to water birth, here are some things that you need to be mindful of, especially things that you could possibly go through. There are two stages of water birth. In the first stage, a birthing pool is necessary because it helps the ease the pain, reduces the need of anesthesia, and can help speed up labor. 

First Stage of Water Birth

When it comes to the guidelines of childbirth and pregnancy, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that in the first stage of labor via water birth, although there are certain benefits of delivering your baby underwater, there could still be a high chance of risk. In the first stage of labor via water birth, contractions may occur and the cervix will be fully dilated by that time. In this stage, a warm bath could help women relax and make them feel more in control. Also, studies have shown that being in the water will help prevent severe vaginal tearing and improves blood flow to the uterus. 

Second Stage of Water Birth

When it comes to stage two of water birth, this is where your cervix is already completely dilated and is ready for the baby's exit. However, a lot of doctors and experts would say that there is no guarantee of how useful or safe water birth is during the second stage of labor. If you're out of the water during the second stage, it will be easier for you to react if something was to go wrong. 

Water Birth and Its Risks

While being in the birthing pool, here are some possible risks that you may encounter during the process. It is important for pregnant women to know these and for them to be aware of their choice of labor.

• You and your baby could be infected.

• Before the baby comes out, there's a possibility that the umbilical cord could snap.

• Your baby can breathe in bath water which can be dangerous for them.

• Babies can possibly get seizures or will lose air when they come out of their mother's vagina.

• Your baby's temperature could drop or get too high. 

As always, consult a doctor prior to making any decisions regarding unorthodox birthing procedures.