Advantages of a water birth
With a water birth, women can spend the opening and also expulsion phases of the birth in a birthing tub. Due to the stay in warm water, the opening period can be somewhat shorter than it would be “on land”. The total duration of the birth can be shortened by about half an hour due to the relaxation in the warm water.
Advantages of a water birth
With a water birth, women can spend the opening and also expulsion phases of the birth in a birthing tub. Due to the stay in warm water, the opening period can be somewhat shorter than it would be “on land”. The total duration of the birth can be shortened by about half an hour due to the relaxation in the warm water.
When you get in the tub is up to you – as is when you want to get out of the water (unless there are medical reasons that require you to leave). There are waterproof heart sound and labor recorders that monitor your baby. You will be supervised the entire time by two people who can lift you out of the birthing pool – if necessary.
After the water birth
What does a water birth mean for your baby?
Your baby, who is born under water during a water birth, does not breathe in water. This is prevented by the innate diving reflex – when the face is immersed in water, the baby reflexively reacts by closing the windpipe and “holding its breath.” It breathes for the first time when its face is in the air. Before that, it is still supplied with oxygen via the umbilical cord and does not have to breathe at all.
Prerequisites for water birth
Risks of a water birth
The greatest risk associated with a water birth is unpredictable emergencies that require a cesarean section, forceps delivery, or suction cup delivery. In these cases, the time it takes to get the birthing woman out of the water and make the necessary preparations for such a procedure may be too long.
For the baby, a water birth carries the risk of missing the diving reflex – which can be especially with stressed and/or weakened children. The child then inhales bath water with the first breath.
Infections of the child are possible due to germs in the water or also from the mother’s stool flora.
When the baby is lifted out of the water, the umbilical cord may tear or even break if it is slightly shorter than normal.
