Can you explain something to me re: waterbirth?

[WonderWild]

I think I understand but want to make sure. The baby's head is underwater for a few contractions sometimes, right? But it's ok b/c the baby isn't ready to take a breath yet b/c his chest is still inside and therefore cannot expand to take a breath? Also, his umbilical cord is still pulsating and giving him the oxygen he needs, right? Is that pretty much it or is there some other great info you could clue me in on?

[alegna]

yep yep yep on all counts.

-Angela

[WonderWild]

One more thing I want to make sure I'm correct about. The few seconds that the baby might be under the water (after completely born, before you pull them up to your chest) they just naturally won't try to take a breath I guess? Just b/c they just know they are still in water and won't try. Is that how that works?

[alegna]

My understanding is that it also has to do with temp. But yeah. Lots of waterbirth babies are under for seconds or up to a minute without issue.

-Angela

[cristeen]

it's my understanding that the stimulus to breath is actually when air hits their face. That isn't to say you'd want to keep them underwater for 10 minutes after birth, but as long as you remove them from the water before you start stimulating them, you should be fine.

[SGVaughn]

Im not sure if this is the mechanism or not , but all mammals epiglotis is closed when water touches the center of the forehead (chinese water torture)
so if a person(adults too)actually does drown its because their epiglotis (sp?) is closed and wont drown because they inhaled water but because the airway is closed off to everything...CSI kind of stuff where they analyze water composition for someone drowning etc is what is inhaled after they lose consciousness
if you pour water over a babies head well after theyve been born they naturally hold their breath and tend to have a startle reflex as well...the reaction is instantaneous
bleh Im long winded...anyway...Im pretty sure that reflex comes into play for a water birth

[mamadelbosque]

I just also wanted to add that its one of those funny things in which babies instinctivly know how to swim, but loose the ability after a couple of months, if they aren't alloud to use it, hence why we all need to 'learn' to swim again later on in life...

[jessjgh1]

Originally Posted by SGVaughn

Im not sure if this is the mechanism or not , but all mammals epiglotis is closed when water touches the center of the forehead (chinese water torture)
so if a person(adults too)actually does drown its because their epiglotis (sp?) is closed and wont drown because they inhaled water but because the airway is closed off to everything...CSI kind of stuff where they analyze water composition for someone drowning etc is what is inhaled after they lose consciousness
if you pour water over a babies head well after theyve been born they naturally hold their breath and tend to have a startle reflex as well...the reaction is instantaneous
bleh Im long winded...anyway...Im pretty sure that reflex comes into play for a water birth

That is quite fascinating... I'm a little horrified, too, lol!

Garrettsmommy, I think I just answered my question from a post on another board...

And I've been wondering the very same thing about water birth.... although it looks like I may end up w/o that option (I'll have a spa tub, but its not a birthing pool so I'd likely get out for the birth). Anyways... thanks for bringing this up.

Jessica