Water Birth: Is It for You and What Are the Benefits?
Show Notes:
[2:02] Our Reviewer of the Week is basejumping-abbeygbaby, and she said, "Stephanie (along with Courtney in early episodes) does an amazing job of laying out all of the options a birthing momma has before, during, and after pregnancy. She provides awesome information on how to choose a provider, what questions to ask, what different types of providers have to offer, pros and cons of all the different locations you can plan to give birth, how a doula can help, what is “normal” and how to know when medical interventions may truly be needed, and so much more! I listened to this entire podcast from the beginning when I found out I was expecting. I am now holding my beautiful 3-month old daughter as I write this, and I remain inspired and incredibly thankful to have this podcast as a resource. I felt empowered in the decisions that I made throughout my pregnancy, and I was able to have the home birth that I dreamed of!"
What an incredible story. Thank you so much for sharing that. I really appreciate it. I have to say I love the full circle, and I love the details that you went into quoting all of those different things. I love it. So thank you for that. 💜
[3:59] This week's topic is water birth! I did not know it was a thing until my third baby. Once I got into the blowup tub and started laboring, it was Heaven! Water birth is considered Mother Nature's epidural. If you are looking for something as you work through labor to kind of take the edge off, make you feel a little more comfortable, help you kind of like get your bearings, have a moment for relaxation, or pause for gratitude for everything that is happening, water birth could totally be for you. 🤩
[5:50] One of the benefits of water birth is that it's relaxing and warm. If you're in a hospital though, you'll be "allowed" to labor in a tub as long as your water hasn't broken. They won't let you push while in the tub. Depending on where you're birthing, who your providers are, what is happening with your own body and safety and all of that kind of stuff, those are generally your options. 🏥
[7:26] It also lessens your body weight and pressure on your limbs. It can help alleviate some of the aches and pains of labor. Water births allow you to produce more endorphins, which are going to give some pain relief. It also relaxes the perineum and lessens the chances of tearing. 😖
[9:18] When should you get in the tub? Get into the birth tub early on during labor. You can take that time to connect to your body, to connect to your baby, and get in the zone.You can also use water birth toward the active part of labor when you would ask for an epidural. Mom is able to take a breath and take the edge off the pain. 😮💨
[13:13] Bit of advice for moms giving birth in a hospital: Understand that stalls are natural and spacing out of contractions can be totally normal. In a hospital setting, it is more common for your provider to want to see progress versus allowing the body to have some variation. I want you to be able to tune into yourself and say, you know what? I actually think I need this space for a moment, I feel fine, and my baby is fine. Contractions can space out and that can be exactly what your body needs. 📈
[15:37] There are also studies that show that moms who labor in water actually have quicker births. ⏰
[16:44] One of the questions I get the most when it comes to water birth is "Won't they suck in the water? Won't there be concerns about drowning?" What we don't think about is that babies live for nine months in water. Once a baby is born, we know they cry. Your baby is living in water right now though, so it's actually a very nice gentle transition from womb to your arms. When they come out, they're still connected to your placenta and that is how they receive their oxygen and nutrients. 💨
[18:55] Are there any risks with water birth? There is a low risk of infection if the tub is not cleaned properly. Umbilical cord avulsion, the snapping of the umbilical cord, can happen. (This can also happen with an out-of-the-water birth as well.) The NICU admission rate is 1.9 out of 1000, and a blood transfusion rate of 0.4 in 1000 births that occur in water. 💦
[20:12] ACOG says immersion in water during the first stage of labor may be associated with shorter labor and decreased use of pain medication offered to healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies. It'll be really important to speak with your provider about your specific birth and your specific situation. Work with a provider you trust and have conversations beforehand about how to deal with any complications that arise. 👩🏻⚕️
[21:57] "Good candidates" for water birth are mamas past 37 weeks with a singleton baby if you do not have placenta previa or any complications with the baby. You don't have to have an unmedicated birth if you choose to labor in the tub. If you use the tub during early labor at the hospital, you can still get an epidural. 💉
[23:39] Giving birth past 42 weeks in the tub is not recommended, but it depends on your midwife or birth center. Depending on who you ask, some say not to labor in the tub after your water has broken and some say it's okay. Factors include whether there is meconium present, preeclampsia, and undiagnosed vaginal bleeding. 🤔
[26:06] How does the midwife catch the baby? You can catch your baby. Dad or your midwife can catch your baby. They'll be right there. They've got excellent reach. They're just right on the birth tub totally paying attention the whole time. Depending on what position you're in, that will determine how baby will be caught and if they'll have to help you. 👶🏻
[26:38] What if I poop in the water? I know moms are concerned about this, whether we're talking about it happening in the water or a bed or anywhere else. If it happens in the water, it is so not a big deal. It comes out, they use a little fishnet, and they pull it right out. It's no big deal. Nobody says anything. It is very common. Don't stress about it. 💩
[27:07] Should your husband join you in the tub? It's a totally personal preference! It is actually really common for dads to be able to get in there behind mom. Give her that encouragement, massage, be something to lean on. All of those things. 🥰
[27:38] How do you know when there's a complication? Every midwife is going to be looking for the cord being wrapped around their neck. As baby is coming out, they're still monitoring, even in the water they have the waterproof doppler, to keep track of baby's heart rate. They'll be paying attention to how you're acting, feeling. As baby's head is coming, they tell you to pause for a second, they'll do a sweep around the neck to make sure that there's no cord around the neck. If there is, 9 times out of 10, they just slip it right over baby's head, and then you can have that final push. So most often, it is really not a cause for concern.
[29:38] If the cord isn't long enough to bring the baby up, do you cut the cord right away? If baby has a short cord, your midwife will help you stand up and get out of the water to wait until the cord turns white and stops pulsing. ✂️
[31:13] We can utilize water birth early to kind of get in the zone, and you can utilize it later in labor to take that edge off to keep things moving or to get that break, but generally, just to feel a little bit more comfort and ease for the laboring process. Reach out to different hospitals, birth centers, midwives, doulas, etc. to see what your options are! 😊
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