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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