Giving birth in the water

4 min. to read

10 May 2018 (upd. 04 July 2025)

Content

Preparation for childbirth in water How does childbirth go in the water? Advantages of giving birth in water Disadvantages of childbirth in water When is giving birth in water impossible? Water birth at the EMC maternity hospital

Water birth in EMC maternity hospital Giving birth in water is one of the alternative methods of delivery, which is beginning to gain popularity again. This practice first appeared in the early 1980s, but then began to decline. Now there is a lot of talk about natural childbirth in water with minimal medical intervention and that water helps. However, there is also an opposite point of view: even mammals that live in water come out to give birth on land.

Giving birth in water and being in a bathtub during the first period of labor to ease contractions are two different things. In this article, we will touch on the topic of water birth itself, when a baby is born in a bathtub.

Preparation for childbirth in water

The first thing a woman who decides to give birth in the water needs to do is consult a doctor. Giving birth in water is allowed only with a perfect pregnancy and the woman's absolute health.

If there are no contraindications, it makes sense to visit childbirth preparation courses, where they will tell you in detail how to behave and what to expect from such a birth. Especially if you have your first birth in the water.

In addition, you need to choose a maternity hospital where there are conditions for giving birth in the water. Water delivery in Moscow is available at the EMC Maternity Hospital on Pravdy St. We do not recommend giving birth in the bathroom at home. However, if you do decide to do this, consider the possibility of an ambulance on duty near the house. During childbirth, unforeseen situations may arise when the life and health of the mother and child may depend on the speed of providing qualified medical care. Treat childbirth responsibly!

How does childbirth go in the water?

If a woman decides to give birth in the water in the hospital, she most often spends all periods of labor in the bathroom. Water makes it easier to endure contractions. However, if desired, a woman can walk around the maternity ward, sit on a fitball, etc. If a woman is in the bathtub all the time, then the water is periodically changed to keep it clean. After the baby is born, it is placed on its stomach, then pulled out of the water and the umbilical cord is cut after it stops pulsating. An experienced doctor or midwife knows exactly when to get the baby out of the water so that the water does not enter his lungs.

Advantages of giving birth in water

Water helps to tolerate pain more easily, promotes relaxation of the muscles of the whole body, and has a calming effect.
It is believed that a newborn experiences less stress when being born into the water.

Disadvantages of childbirth in water

Childbirth is not the cleanest process. The water in which the woman is located contains amniotic fluid, blood discharge, and bowel movements. And a baby is born in the same water.
There is a risk of infection due to the lack of sterility.
When a woman is in the water, there is no constant monitoring of the condition of the fetus (CTG), it can be difficult to quickly identify the bleeding that has begun, as well as monitor the condition of the cervix.
There is a risk of aspiration (water entering the lungs) of the newborn. Some babies inhale immediately after birth, until they are taken out of the water.

When is giving birth in water impossible?

For any complications of pregnancy, such as gestosis, fetal hypoxia, pelvic presentation of the fetus, clinically narrow pelvis and large fetus, placenta previa, diseases of the mother's cardiovascular system and other complications that the doctor will tell you about.

Water birth at the EMC maternity hospital

The EMC maternity hospital has created conditions for any kind of birth. The maternity ward has a comfortable tub for giving birth in water or facilitating contractions in the first period.

Before giving birth, the doctor, together with the expectant mother, draws up a birth plan that takes into account all the wishes of the woman. If there are contraindications for a particular method of delivery, the doctor tells you in detail about all the risks and ways to prevent them. If a woman is aware of all the disadvantages and risks, and there are no medical contraindications, the doctor can deliver the baby in water. The contract price will not change from this. In case of an unforeseen situation and danger to the mother and fetus, doctors can immediately change tactics, and even perform a cesarean section operation directly in the delivery box – there is all the necessary equipment for this.

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Questions and answers

Lump in my breast

I have noted the lump in my breast periodically appeared following breastfeeding my first child (as a result of plugged duct). I did an ultrasound, but it revealed nothing, as if everything was normal. I knead my breast periodically and feel pain at those moments. Now I am pregnant, due date is on 20th. What should I

do?? When to examine my breasts, is it possible to perform the examination during pregnancy and lactation?

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The "lump" in the breast cannot occur after feeding, even if it was the plugged duct. You should not "knead" the breasts. If there is a problem or even if you think it is – the breast should be examined. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are not contraindications for this. Under normal conditions for pregnant women we

recommend a breast examination during 1 and 3 trimester (before childbirth). There are no contraindications for breast examination in your case. You are welcome at any convenient time for examination and advice on breastfeeding.

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Benign disease

I have a benign lump in one breast size of 12.0*9.9 mm. Puncture or a biopsy will be done next week. I was told by mammologist that surgery is needed. As far as I know, concerning the surgery, axillary lymph nodes are to be removed together with the tumor. I also know that in Europe lymph nodes are testes for

specific markers and only affected ones should be removed; if lymph nodes are no affected, they are not to be dissected and the surgery is minimally invasive. So what is your approach? Does it make sense to do it or you have the same methods and the same equipment?

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If histological examination of the sample reveals fibroadenoma of basic type or tissue hyperplasia without atypia, or nodular type fibrocystic condition of the breast tissue, the question of surgical treatment should not arise. If biopsy reveals giant fibroadenoma sectoral resection is indicated, i.e. mass excision

within the healthy tissues and lymph nodes will be removed. In case of non- benign histological result, i.e. carcinoma is detected, subsequent immunohistochemical examination is required as well as a clinical oncologist and surgeon consultation; and the decision on complex treatment will be taken by case management team. With regard to the diagnosis and treatment methods in our center, each case is addressed individually. Sometimes we remove a benign area (for example, the area of hyperplasia with atypia) using the vacuum-needle technique through 3-4 mm incision. As for the surgical procedure protocols for benign breast tumors, benign simple fibroadenoma is not removed in America, Europe, Israel, etc. I would like to discuss your case with you in more details and perform some additional tests if needed, so I would be glad to see you at EMC’s Breast center.

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Melanoma

My mom had a mole (suspected for melanoma) removed in November 2015. Histology revealed lentigo melanoma in situ. We checked the slides back in the Netherlands, and the diagnosis was a superficial spreading melanoma of Clark 3 Т1а Beslow 0,8 stage; re-excision with capture of 1 cm of healthy skin is recommended. Is

it possible to make re-excision and subsequent histology in your hospital? If so, how soon?

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We absolutely agree with the opinion of the European colleagues: re-excision with a wider offset is required; according to the Russian Protocol it is necessary to move 2 cm from the peripheral edge. This is for counter insurance, as lentigo-melanoma is a favorable type, and previous surgery is likely to put an end to

this story and the forecast is favorable. All the necessary manipulations for the study are possible in our Clinic; we have our own well-equipped laboratory with the possibility to ask the advice concerning the sample in Germany and Israel. You should make an appointment with the surgeon-oncologist (Marina Bissessar) in the nearest time to conduct the diagnostic re-excision. Hope to help!

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A spot on the back and chest

I have a spot on the back and chest, what could it be?

A spot on the skin is one of the most common symptoms of various skin diseases. Infectious (viral, bacterial or fungal) as well as noninfectious skin including serious diseases and nevi (moles or birthmarks) can manifest as spots on the skin. You should go to the dermatologist for accurate diagnosis. The doctor will

examine you and, if necessary, a special instrument (Dermatoscope, wood lamp) will be used. A skin scraping can also be done in the lesion for microscopy, cytology or culture. A treatment will be prescribed after diagnosis.

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Batkaeva Nadezhda

07 September 2016

Uterine cancer

My mom was diagnosed with the uterine cancer. She is 68 years of age and has an obesity of 4th grade (the growth of 166 cm, weight 135 kg) and hypertension. Admission to the radiology department was recommended. What should we do? As far as I know the surgery is the only method for cancer of the uterus to be removed.

Is it really so that this surgery is only possible for young and relatively healthy persons?

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It is not quite so. We can operate on any patient, but the issue is which complications can lead to patient’s death and which of them can just delay the recovery. From the anesthesiologist’s point of view, it is a major challenge to intubate patients with 4th degree obesity; the abdominal section is also possible,

but there is a 100% risk of suture line disruption and inflammation, let alone the postoperative pneumonia, venous thrombosis, etc. There is another option such as vaginal hysterectomy which is more acceptable and relatively safe in obese patients. It is not a «treatment standard», however, as it allows not obtaining pelvic washings, but still there is a possibility of complete cure. Anesthesia remains a problem - both general and spinal. Radiation therapy without surgery is another acceptable treatment option besides vaginal hysterectomy. A chance of complete cure is still exists, but the survival rate is on average lower than in surgical treatment

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Vladimir Nosov

07 September 2016

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