What is a waterbirth?

Waterbirth is a beautiful birth method. The labouring woman spends time in a pool or bath filled with warm water. The baby is born into this water and is brought slowly to the surface and into mommy's arms. The transition for the baby from the womb into the watery environment is much gentler than in a natural delivery. The mother has less risk of perineal tearing as the warm water relaxes her body tissues. Water also causes weightlessness for a labouring mum and can help greatly with her experience of pain. Some hospitals have waterbirth facilities. Those that don't may still encourage using water for pain relief during labour.You can use an ordinary bath or a shower.

The baby cannot drown. As long as baby is connected to mommy by the umbilical cord, he is still receiving oxygen rich blood. Baby will only breathe when his lungs come into contact with air. As long as the baby is under water he is relying on the blood provided to him by the placenta.

Many caregivers are still of the belief that labouring in water after rupture of the membranes increases the risk of infection. Research has shown that there is no increased risk of infection if a woman labours or births in water after the membranes have ruptured.

When a birthing pool is used, particularly in a homebirth situation, the father may decide to join mom in the water during labour or for the birth. Sometimes the couple's other children will join in the pool as well.

Waterbirths are not for everyone. Some people are unhappy about the baby being under water while others do not like the thought of being in the pool for the birth as the water may become murky with amniotic fluid, blood and other tissue.

Like everything related to your birth experience, waterbirth is an option to consider that you may find appeals to you personally.

Kerry

How will I know when I am in Labour?

This is probably one of the questions that features at the top of a pregnant mum's list and is one that I am asked at least once within the first class of each series. False labour can be very convincing sometimes. There are a number of ways we can distinguish true labour from false labour.


TRUE LABOUR is characterised by the following:
* Contractions that are regular
* Contractions that get stronger and longer
* Walking or squatting increases the intensity of the contractions
* Contractions that get closer together
* Pain that usually starts in the back and moves to the front
* Sleep or sedation does not stop the contractions
* The cervix effaces (softens) and dilates (opens)
* There is descent of the baby or change in station (the baby begins to move into the pelvis)

FALSE LABOUR can be recognised by the following:
* Contractions that are irregular
* Contractions that stay the same intensity
* Walking slows the contractions
* Contractions that stay the same distance apart
* Pain that usually starts in the front and moves to the back
* Contractions disappear with sleep
* The cervix does not dilate (open)
* There is no change in station (there is no descent of the baby into the pelvis)

Although this provides a useful guide, it is important to remember that every labour is different. Some women do not experience pain that begins in the back and moves to the front in true labour. Some women have a very short period of non-progressing contractions that rapidly becomes a precipitous (quick) labour. It is better to err on the side of caution.

In my opinion there is no harm in calling your caregiver in any situation where you are unsure. The worst that can happen is that it is a false alarm and I can PROMISE you, your caregiver is used to those!

Kerry