What are the pros and cons of a water birth?

Pros and Cons of Waterbirth Summarised

• Increased chance of an empowering and satisfying birth experience.
• Less pain in labour.
• Possible shorter labour.
• May decrease vaginal tear rate.
• Potentially a higher physiological (normal) birth rate.

What are the disadvantages of water birth?

Water Birth Risks

• You or your baby could get an infection.
• The umbilical cord could snap before your baby comes out of the water.
• Your baby’s body temperature could be too high or too low.
• Your baby could breathe in bath water.
• Your baby could have seizures or not be able to breathe.

What are the pros of water birth?

Benefits of water birth

• A more relaxing birth experience.
• A shorter labor.
• Less need for pain medication.
• Feeling more present in the birth experience.
• Water births are only recommended for low-risk pregnancies.
• There is limited research on the benefits and risks of water births.
• Bacteria could lurk in birthing tub water.

Do water births hurt less?

For example, a recent review of seven randomized trials with 2,615 participants looked at water immersion during labor, before normal land birth (Shaw-Battista 2017). The study found that laboring in water poses no extra risks to mother or baby and helps relieve pain, leading to less use of pain medication.

Is water birth safer than normal birth?

Water births themselves are not significantly more dangerous than birth out of water, but when they take place at home—and most of them do—there is an increased risk. That’s because there’s no immediate medical help with home water births.

Can I choose to have a water birth?

Yes you can. You can get in and out of the pool as you please. You may choose to stay in the pool for pain relief in the first stage of labour and remain in the water for the birth, or you may prefer to leave the pool for the birth of your baby. It is your choice and you can decide your preference at the time.

How safe is a water birth?

Is water birth easier than regular birth?

True or false: Giving birth in water hurts less than giving birth on land. Answer: neither! There is no definitive answer because each labor is unique and every woman tolerates pain differently. Compared to a land birth, water birth seems to be more relaxing for the mother and baby but not necessarily less painful.

Can high risk pregnancy have a water birth?

You Have Medical Restrictions First and foremost, women with high-risk pregnancies should not attempt water birth. The pregnancy complications that rule out a water birth are few but serious.

What if I poop during water birth?

Urine and feces are an unavoidable part of birth. Although it may not bother you to sit in the tub with urine, sitting with poop might, though if you do defecate into the pool, your birth partner or midwife will quickly clean it out.

Can you get an epidural with a water birth?

It is important to know that epidurals are not used during water births. “A water birth means that the use of epidural anesthesia is not possible, or extremely difficult,” says Richard Pollard, M.D., an anesthesiologist in Charlotte, North Carolina, and contributor to the medical website healthtap.com.

Can you have pain relief with a water birth?

Are there any disadvantages of having a water birth? You will not be able to have some pain-relief options. For example, you cannot have any opiates, such as pethidine, for at least six hours before you get into the pool, and you cannot have an epidural. You will be unable to use a Tens machine.

What are the advantages of a water birth?

Benefits of giving birth in water The most common benefit is that water birth minimizes labor pains. Sitting submerged in a tub of warm water relaxes and soothes your muscles making the process of labor much easier as compared to the conventional way of giving birth.

How is water birth better than normal birth?

What are the benefits of waterbirth? Reduction in perineal trauma. During the crowning stage, when the baby’s head is emerging and the perineum is stretching, the water helps a great deal. Relaxation. Bathing in warm water is widely recognized for promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Pain relief. Shorter labor. Emotional advantages.

What do you need to know about a water birth?

Emergency C-Sections The number one risk when you are having a water birth is the fact that you are not in a hospital or close to one.

Risk of Infection Some other risk factors that you should keep in mind is that you may possibly get an infection if you are not using sterile material.

Stay Hydrated

Is a water birth any good?

Babies born in water can be calmer. Less likely to need medical interventions (such as a ventouse birth or episiotomy) While it may not be for everyone, there are numerous reasons to consider a water birth. ‘The main benefits of a water birth relate to the positive birthing experience,’says Katie.