We are planning a HBAC, possibly waterbirth. My mom has some concerns about the chance of infection due to bacteria and stuff in the water. I told her I didn't think it was really an issue, but wanted more solid info to ease her mind. So are there added risks of infection in the water, what if you poop in the water?

Poop in water is scooped out with a fishnet. Moms don't evenknow it's happened sometimes.
Wateris only an infection risk if it's going up inside of you, especially after water has broken. It cannot go up inside of you naturally, so someone or something has to make it so. Avoiding vag checks or few vag checks can help with that, espcially after waterbreaks. Anything int he vagina after water breaks is an infection risk, in or out of water.
Water itself can get funky, you you can add a few drops of TTO to it to kill bacteria that is in it. HAPPY BIRTHING!

Namaste, Tara

also, if it's in your home, this will be YOUR bacteria - bacteria that not only your body is familiar with, but bacteria that your baby will be soon familiar with.

there's no more risk of infection with a waterbirth than a land birth in the hospital. for more info, you could contact Barbara Harper at waterbirth Intl.

also, if it's in your home, this will be YOUR bacteria - bacteria that not only your body is familiar with, but bacteria that your baby will be soon familiar with..

Precisely what I was about to say!

there's no more risk of infection with a waterbirth than a land birth in the hospital.

I would say there's a greater risk at hospital.
By a long shot.
As a Bmid student having watched many midwives, nurses and doctors close up that pay scant attention to asepsis while attending to women in labour and compared this to water/homebirth practice I would feel way more comfortable at home in a tub.
Plus all those unnecessary VE's. The amount of staff that handle objects in room while 'gloved up' only to examine women internally.

When my eldest son was born 7yrs ago in a hospital I recall watching a midwife put an UNgloved finger in his mouth to placate him. I never saw her wash her hands as she pottered round my hospital room. He later came down with staph & strep and was given anti-biotics which lead to stomach problems.. still has IBS to this day.
I'm waffling on I know but hospitals are in my opinion far riskier places for what your mother is concerned about.

Most women defacate while in the birth pool, its sieved away pretty quickly.

oh, yeah, guess I should have clarified that a bit better. :)

plus, dilution is great in the water. most babies come out chin to mom's rectum - in the water at least there's more dilution. besides, poo is not an issue, really, when dealing with infection from birth. :)

I don't have any scientific evidence either way but just had 2 comments for you:

1) I did a home waterbirth with premature ROM (2.5 days before birth). I also pooped a LOT in the water (scooped out by MW and assistant of course). No infection. Doesn't mean anything scientifically, but at least here's one successful experience.

2) Many hospitals are doing waterbirths now. So the mainstream and doctors seem fine with it. For those hospitals that don't, it seems to be a money issue (renovations to install birthing tubs) rather than a medical concern.

Just a reminder. Even in the most sterile bacteria free Hosp a birth is not a clean neat procedure. There is poop urine vomiting and a lot of other body fluids involved. NO birth is a bacteria free procedure. There has always been a stigma that once your water breaks you should not get into a bathtub due to risk of infections. That info as I have heard is based on the way things were years and years ago. Most city water is so overtreated that it is not an issue. I was in water with both DC after my water broke and nothing ever came of it.