Water Birth in Mission

A. What is waterbirth

Water birth is when you have your little one in a deep pool of water.

Water birth is different than laboring in water. Many people spend some time in a bath or shower to help with their labor pains but don’t give birth there.

Water birth is the process of laboring and/or giving birth in a tub of warm water. As with most choices during your pregnancy, there are benefits and risks to consider with giving birth in water, also called hydrotherapy.

The theory behind water birth is that your little one has already been in the amniotic fluid sac for nine months, so birthing in a similar environment is gentler for your little one and less stressful for the mother.

A water birth means at least part of your labor, delivery, or both happen while you’re in a deep birth pool filled with warm water. Some may ask, “Why do people have water births?” or “Is a water birth better?” Well, many women say the benefits of a water birth include a calmer, more relaxed environment with less pain and potential for vaginal tearing. The water birth process can take place in a hospital, birthing center, or at home and ideally under the care of a doctor or midwife.

In order to have a water birth, you must meet certain health criteria like:

• Full-term, low-risk pregnancy.

• Free of infection and other medical conditions.

• Pregnant with one little one (not twins).

• No history of high blood pressure.

• No history of bleeding disorders.

• No complications during pregnancy or labor.

• Must meet pre-pregnancy BMI criteria.

High-risk pregnancies might require fetal monitoring or other interventions during labor and delivery, so in these cases, your doctor or midwife will likely want you to stay out of the water for easier access to you and your little one.

B. Why choose waterbirth

If you are experiencing a healthy, low risk, term (37 weeks or more) pregnancy you might want to consider a water birth.

Everyone’s experience of birth is different, but people typically find that giving birth in water:

• increases relaxation

• decreases pain

• increases the ability to move around and change positions

• provides an increased sense of control

• increases satisfaction with the birth experience

If you are considering a water birth you and your midwife will discuss some important factors to help you make a decision including:

• your health status

• your little one’s health status

• your personal wishes for birth

• if water birth is an option where you plan to have your little one

• the possible out-of-pocket cost to rent/buy a birth pool for a home water birth

Water birth is not recommended when:

• you go into labor preterm (three weeks or more before your due date)

• you are having more than one little one (e.g., twins or triplets)

• you are planning a home birth and don’t have access to safe, clean water

• you have an active infection such as herpes

• you want certain interventions (e.g., epidural) that require monitoring outside of the tub

Why do people give birth in water? There are many benefits of a water birth for the mother, including less pain and higher satisfaction with the birth experience overall. If you enjoy relaxing in warm baths to soothe your aches and reduce your stress, you might want to consider giving birth in water.

A few of the benefits of choosing a hospital water birth include:

• Relaxation – The warm water can be soothing, which can help the body produce more pain-inhibiting hormones and less stress-inducing hormones.

• Ease of movement – Some women find that laboring in water helps them feel lighter, find more comfortable positions, and move about more freely during labor.

• Improved circulation – This can help mom have more efficient contractions and deliver more oxygen to baby.

• Reduced risk of tearing due to a more relaxed body.

• An environment that helps foster an increased sense of privacy and focus and Peace of mind

RELAXATION

Warm water is comforting and soothing, so it’s easy to imagine why water birth could offer relaxation benefits. Laboring in a tub of warm water can help lower the mother’s blood pressure, making for a calmer experience overall.

It’s important to note: labor pains are still present during the water birth process, but the environment is likely more relaxing and pleasurable. Some women find that being able to feel the process of birth with a manageable level of pain makes them feel more connected to the birth of their little one.

EASE OF MOVEMENT

The buoyancy of water lessens the mother’s body weight and allows for freer movement and positioning. Many women say this is one of the main benefits of a water birth. By moving around in the water to find new positions, some women find they experience contractions more smoothly and calmly.

IMPROVED CIRCULATION

Relaxing in a tub of warm water during the water birth process can trigger the release of endorphins in the mother, which can improve blood flow to the uterine muscles and help manage labor pains. The buoyancy from the water improves blood circulation, which reduces pain and provides more important oxygen for your little one.

REDUCED RISK OF TEARING

Another one of the pros of a water birth for women who labor in water is they’re less likely to experience a severe tear or need an episiotomy (a surgical cut). The thinking is that the perineum becomes more relaxed by sitting in the warm tub of water, so it’s more elastic when the little one is delivered.

Benefits of a water birth for your little one

Another reason why water birth is chosen by some women is because of the potential benefits for their little one. The stress of birth is reduced in a warm tub of water because the environment is similar to being in the mother’s uterus. Many women say giving birth in water gives them calmness knowing their little one is arriving in this familiar way.

EASES THE STRESS OF BIRTH

Many women who choose a hospital water birth are doing so for the relaxing, calm, and private environment it provides. They want this environment for themselves while they are laboring, and they also want their little one to arrive in a calm space that is provided by the warm tub of water.

PROVIDES A FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT

A little one born into water is entering an environment very much like the one they just left. The amniotic fluid in the uterus has protected your little one for the past nine months.

When your little one’s head is born into the water, it feels similar to the amniotic fluid. Your little one doesn’t take a breath while their head is still under the water. Nerve receptors in the little’s cheeks are stimulated when they emerge from the water and feel the air, causing them to take their first breath.

C. Where can you have a water birth in Mission

there is no hospital in mission or locally, ( abbotsford ect) but BC Womens does support this choice, and at this time i can find no others, but i will update this if i learn of new locations that support this choice that many women would like

 to have

Reasons a water birth may not be an option

There are a few disadvantages of water birthing, even in hospitals. You’re doing the right thing now by educating yourself about the pros and cons, but remember to also discuss your questions and concerns about giving birth in water with your health care provider before your delivery day.

Here are some potential problems that could happen during a water birth:

• Infection for you or your little– Blood and other fluids are a natural part of labor and delivery, so they will be in the water. If your little one is exposed to bacteria because they open their eyes or mouth underwater (or if you do), an increased risk of infection could occur.

• Pain management options are more limited– An epidural and certain other pain relief medications aren’t options during a water birth.

• Medical intervention could take longer– If you or your little one have a medical emergency, it could take longer to get you out of the tub for interventions.

• Overheating or dehydration– If the water is too hot, overheating can become a risk for you and your little one. Make sure the temperature of the water is carefully monitored, and you’re drinking fluids as you’re able.

• The little one breathes too early– Rarely, water aspiration happens during a water birth, but it’s possible. Your health care providers are trained to scoop the little one out of the water as soon as they’re delivered.

• The umbilical cord could break before your little one comes out of the water– This is also a very rare occurrence, but it’s a serious event if it happens.