Can we talk waterbirth? « Back to Group Discussions

[eirual]

Water birth appeals to me, but there are a few things I can't get past and I'd love some insight and possibly research (medical journals I looked at were not encouraging, but they were all from one spot and wordy and meh).

Pros:

- I love water in general, and my 5 minutes in the shower before the hot water ran out while in labour with DS were heavenly.

- I've heard it can minimize tearing (I tore like crazy with DS, so would like to minimize my chances this time around)

- supposedly a gentler transition for babe

Cons:

- I can't get over the feeling that it's not natural (anyone know the history of waterbirth?....600 years ago, would a human have instinctively gotten in a lake?)

- I've heard baby can get "spooked" and inhale water....or just in general, inhaling water is a possibility no matter how small and it worries me

....I guess those are my two biggest concerns.

[BroodyWoodsgal]

The reason I like it so much is because it's an excellent and very gentle buffer between the womb and the bright, cold world.

Think...they are all scrunched up, totally held and warm and comfy....then they are sqquuuueeeezed out in to a bright place that is TOTALLY OPEN...no constricting womb, their arms and legs floating,there body feels heavy in a way that they never felt before and instantly, the fluid on their bodies starts to evaporate and they are cold.

With water birth...they are scrunched up, held tight and warm and comfy by their womb home....and then they are squeeezed out into a warm, wet place...they are floating, suspended, their arms and legs are freer to move in ways they haven't been able to but still, enveloped in arm water they do not flail, it does not feel so open and scary. Soft hands lift them, for the moment between the birth canal and the wide open world, there is only muffled sound, lights are brighter than they are used to be still veiled by water....and then, their head is above water, laying on a soft place that smells somehow familiar. They are kept warm there on mamas chest until she is ready to get out...and warm towels are immediately placed all around them, they dry in these towels until they are no longer wet on their skin and can be swaddled/dressed.whatever.

My DD was born in water. My son in the kitchen on a birth stool. I know my DDs birth was gentler. Just seeing her face, the way it looked up almost curiously as her dadas hands lifted her to mine and my hands lifted her out of the water. That moment in time will live in my memory, clear and sharp, so long as I live. Her little face, coming closer and closer....it was just so damned gentle. So peaceful.

So yeah. I'm like you. I'm MOSTLY going for a water birth this time for tearing reasons. With DD I tore because she shot out like a rocket and I also have come to think because I had been in the water for *literally* a half minute when she started being pushed out of me by my maniac body. With DS I tore like CRAZY even thought I tried really hard to "slow the freight train" and stretch a little better. I think I am just small skinned or not very stretchy or something...but this time I'm going to try going into the water for longer to see if it helps me skin to be stretchier.

But aside from tearing, just having BTDT with both a land and water birth, I really believe that water can provide a very nice buffer between the womb and the world...as you can imagine how different those two places can be and I think birth is kind of intense for babies anyway...so any bit of gentleness we can give them is nice.

I have never and would never think twice about water inhalation...I just wouldn't. The chances are so small that it would never outweigh my other reasons for wanting to do it and it's just not a visualization I would let enter my mind. Babies inhaling water happens much less frequently than many other things that can go wrong in birth, you know? There are SO many risks and scenarios to be concerned about...that kind of risk falls into the "I'm not even going to let that enter my mind" category FOR ME.

As far as "is it really natural" - I have read things here and there about women in warmer climates giving birth in special parts of sacred rivers....I know I read something once about ancient Egyptian noble-people giving birth in water...and I know I've seen something about certain tribes of people who gave birth in the ocean (sea water seems a little intense...maybe it was fresh water inlets to an ocean or something??). I'll have to go look for more info on that because now I'm being reminded that I was interested in learning more about it.

Good questions. Either way, you can have gentle birth, you know? Water is just so nice, so peaceful. Funny thing is, my DD was born in water and is SOOOO cautious about water now and my son, born in the kitchen, is a water NUT! So, haha, just a little fun fact there I guess.

[calapitters]

I loved my water birth!  Here are some links regarding underwater breathing.  This was s big concern for DH, so we did quite a bit of research.  Basically, babies are born with a reflex that keeps them from breathing underwater.  They don't loose this reflex until they are a few months old, which I think is pretty neat. There was also something about being attached to the placenta that helps, I think.  

http://www.waterbirth.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=38564&orgId=wi#What_prevents_baby_from_breathing_under

http://data.memberclicks.com/site/wi/Waterbirth_Basics.pdf

http://mothering.com/pregnancy-birth/water-and-pregnancy-birth-and-infancy

[thecountrymouse]

Fun water birth story- I was born at home 35 years ago.  Right after I came out I was put into an igloo cooler full of warm water and I "swam" around.  I didn't breath in any water of course.  This was quite a different experience because I went from womb to air to water.  It worked though and I got the peaceful experience of water.  -thecountrymouse

[eirual]

Those links (especially the second) were very helpful. Thanks

[tri31]

Since we are on the subject, I wanted to ask your opinion. I live in the fascist state of NY in a county that must be one of the most unenlightened places on earth. My midwife practices with a group that is very liability conscious and hospital reg oriented.

So with this in mind I have not even bothered to approach her with my birth wishes. A water birth, in this facility is not allowed. This month she (my midwife) is out of the office and I see the newly hired midwife (who happens to have delivered my last baby). I want to quitely ask her about an alternative birth, she will likely just tell that there are midwives for hire in ithaca, blah blah blah.We are in the red $500. a month. I have no resources, no birth support. I don't want to birth in the hospital. Is it stupid to think talking to her could help?

[BroodyWoodsgal]

Dudette....all you can do is try....not trying, you'll never know if there was something that could have been done, you know? Maybe saying something will change things. but even if it doesn't, you're no worse off than you were you know? Say something. Really try and advocate for yourself! You have a right to push for what you want...if it can't be done for whatever reason, fine, but you should try. <3 Good luck. It really sucks to have something so dumb as money stand in the way of your birth preferences...I'm sorry for the stress of your situation!

[rebirth]

I've attended many water births (50ish) and they are perfectly safe. I am planning to use water in labor and get out for the birth. I visualize myself birthing on my feet, into my own hands. I have noticed that babies smell a little less strongly when waterborn, and so I would prefer a land birth for bonding reasons.


Doula mama to my nursing toddler Noah

[sraplayas]

My first was a waterbirth, she was posterior and I tore. However, it was a very long labor and the water totally relaxed me and yes, she did look very peaceful. My second was birth on the bed, he was posterior also and I didn't tear. I don't think the water had much to do with tearing or not tearing.

I'm planning a waterbirth this time around.

This is a great book on waterbirth: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Birth-Perspective-Susanna-Napierala/dp/0897892852 I highly recommend it! It gives some recent history, stories and even instructions on how to build your own tank. What I like is that it is written from the perspective of a midwife and her journey of discovering water birth.

HTH:)

[lia_joy]

I've had 3 waterbirths and LOVED them. I would not choose to birth any other way without a good reason arising.  Some women aren't as into it, but if you think you might be, I say have it as an option. You can always use the tub/pool just for part of the labor & get out if it's not for you.  I don't think it's the most 'natural' thing.  Intuitively, it makes sense that it'd be an easier transition for the baby, but ultimately, it's a decision that I make more for my own comfort -- If I'm comfortable & things go smoothly that's best for baby :)

I used an inflatable kiddie pool each time.  They worked great and cost between $15 and $40 so it's not a huge investment either way.

[BroodyWoodsgal]

Originally Posted by rebirth 

I've attended many water births (50ish) and they are perfectly safe. I am planning to use water in labor and get out for the birth. I visualize myself birthing on my feet, into my own hands. I have noticed that babies smell a little less strongly when waterborn, and so I would prefer a land birth for bonding reasons.
Doula mama to my nursing toddler Noah

You know it's SO interesting that you would say that. Weird story:

My DD was born in the water. Came out smelling like my little sweet baby....didn't bathe her beyond a SLIGHT sponge bath for the first weeks of her life. (I am not super into bathing and don't believe in bathing newborns at all, just wiping a bit).

My SON, on the other hand.....was born on land....after we wiped some of the goopy stuff off with a moist towel, he was perfectly clean...his smell was COMPLETELY different. Here's the thing, he smelled........EXACTLY..........like my husband. You know when your man is clean, but not JUST showered and doesn't have any detergent smell, or lotion or ANYTHING else on him, but HIM....his TRUE scent...that is what my son smelled like. Over the first few days/weeks of his life, it faded....but I'm telling you ladies, there was NO mistaking that smell, it was CREEPY. My DH couldn't smell it...but my MIL recognized the scent right away (without me saying anything to her about it, I didn't say anything because I wanted to see if she'd notice) and I loved sniffing my sons head for that reason. Right on the top of his head, he smelled STARTLINGLY like his father. Weird, weird weird. I'd be interested in finding out if my son was a fluke, or if there is really more too that whole idea!

[phathui5]

Mosty of the births at the birth center where I'm an apprentice are waterbirths and there haven't been any complications from baby being in the water. My second and third births (of my own children) were in water and they didn't have any issues.

[tri31]

I loved this artical. For many of you mamas that have already been blessed with a homebirth, I guess this is common knowledge. But for me it really helped me become more informed.

http://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/preparing-for-a-waterbirth

[Sharlla]

Here is dd's waterbirth, it was awesome. i will never do dry birth again if i can help it http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1274487/pandora-moonlillys-amazing-unassisted-birth