What are the benefits of water
for birth and labor?
- Makes labor easier.
♥ Promotes relaxation.
♥ Provides significant pain relief.
♥ Reduces cesarean section rates.
♥ Reduces blood pressure.
♥ Conserves her energy.
♥ Gives mother more feelings of control.
♥ Can help to speed up the labor due to relaxing effects and stimulation of warm water
♥ Decreased pressure on interior vena cava, blood supply to the uterus is improved, allowing for more oxygenation of the muscle tissue to produce more efficient contractions
♥ Enables the mother to assume any position which is comfortable for labor and birth.
♥ Decreased pain during labor- promoting relaxation, less adrenalin is production, beta endorphin and oxytocin are increased reducing the need for drugs and interventions.
♥ Restores normality to birth
♥ Gives mother a private protected space.
♥ Relaxation of the pelvic floor – less perineal tearing Reduces perineal trauma and eliminates episiotomies.
♥ Is highly rated by mothers – typically stating they would consider giving birth in water again.
♥ Is highly rated by experienced providers.
♥ Encourages an easier birth for mother and a gentler welcome for baby. Newborn makes a gentle transition into the world.
Waterbirth: Easier for Moms ~ Better for Babies!
Placing a pool of water in a birth room changes the atmosphere immediately. Voices get softer, the mother stays calmer and everyone becomes less stressed.
The effect of buoyancy that deep water immersion creates allows spontaneous movement of the mother. No one has to help the mother get into a new position. She moves as her body and the position of the baby dictate. Movement helps open the pelvis, allowing the baby to descend.
When a woman in labor relaxes in a warm deep bath, free from gravity’s pull on her body, with sensory stimulation reduced, her body is less likely to secrete stress-related hormones. This allows her body to produce the pain inhibitors-endorphins-that complement labor. Noradrenaline and catecholamines, the hormones that are released during stress, actually raise the blood pressure and can inhibit or slow labor. A laboring woman who is able to relax physically, is able to relax mentally as well. Many women, midwives, and doctors acknowledge the analgesic effect of water. Thousands of these mothers state they would never be able to consider laboring without water again.
For more information about waterbirth, go to these websites:
